(Rev. Spahr's comments in audio format)

“If the law is the law, what about justice and what about love?” asked That All May Freely Serve founder Rev. Jane Spahr. Rev. Spahr was commenting on the recently announced decisions of the Synod of the Northeast’s Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC). The ecclesiastical court in both cases sided with those who oppose gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people serving in ordained positions in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Rev. Spahr said she learned the news with great sadness and feels the PJC is narrowly interpreting the letter of the law and choosing to overlook the gospel’s broader message of love and grace.

“These are the kinds of decisions that perpetuate violence against GLBT persons. I am outraged by archaic laws, which keep people from doing and being who they were born to be and whom god has called them to be,” Spahr said in a “voice mail” via the organization’s web site, www.TAMFS.org.

One of the two cases centered on actions taken by Christ Church Presbyterian (CCP), Burlington VT. The Session (or governing board of the congregation) adopted a “Resolution of Dissent” in March 1997, which stated that the church could not in good conscience uphold the entire Book of Order and one of its clauses adopted the same year, G-6.0106b.

“Our dilemma is this”, the resolution said: “as long as (G-6.0106b) remains, we believe that no congregation can be fully in compliance with a Book of Order that contradicts that paragraph with numerous provisions mandating an inclusive church.”

The Presbytery of Northern New England, in which CCP is located, originally challenged the action, but after further investigation, decided in December, 1998, that the Session is in compliance with the Book of Order. The Presbytery’s decision was challenged and the Synod of the Northeast PJC heard oral arguments from both sides on October 8, 1999.

The other case originated after an openly gay man, Wayne Osborne, was elected an Elder by the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, Stamford, CT. The Presbytery, in this case Presbytery of Southern New England, upheld the election. However, two members challenged the installation based on the Book of Order provision G-6.0106b, which says in part. “Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the Confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.” The Synod PJC heard oral arguments on October 7, 1999.

Commenting on both PJC decisions Rev. Spahr said: “What happens when the law is wrong? What happens when the law is unjust? Wayne Osborne is one of the finest people I have ever met. What happens when the law forgets the people?”

“I pray for the Presbyterian Church. I pray that these exclusive archaic laws will be done away with so that all may freely serve with justice and love.”