It was a humbling thing to have women follow our instructions and arrange to meet a stranger on a street corner near a certain motel in a distant city, trusting us that they would be safe with a real OB-GYN trained doctor who was taking this risk to help them.. It cannot be. If I felt some trepidation over the internal communication that was necessitated by the discernment process, you can imagine the anguish that I felt about how the local media was going to communicate our activity to the community. application/pdf This Supreme Court decision also runs counter to denominational beliefs. Committee members also overwhelmingly approved HSB-06, On Amending G-2.0284 and Recommendations Regarding a Family Leave Policy, from the Family Leave Policy Task Force. In cases where problems of life or health of the mother arise in a pregnancy, the church supports efforts to protect the life and health of both the mother and the baby. Judaism and Islam . The Church itself has played a. A church "loving people, to love Jesus Christ". WASHINGTON: Woman Reportedly to be Arrested Friday For Forced Tuberculosis Treatment, Florida State Senator Introduces Bill to Cancel States Democrat Party, After School Satan Club Coming to a Elementary School Near You, DEVELOPING: Man Arrested For Allegedly Placing Explosive Device in Checked Luggage at Pennsylvania Airport, MONTANA: Proposed Bill Would Ban COVID-19 Jab Recipients From Donating Blood. Yet it baffles me why the "gathering" in San Diego in Februay features John Ortberg, senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Attached for your information is a brief comparison Here are five pro-life arguments made by Christians: 1. Sign up for our free email newsletter, and we'll make sure to keep you in the loop. Three New Messages For First Time In 2+ (WATCH) Dr. Toby Rogers: FDA Wants to Scrap Future COVID-19 Tunnels and Jail Cells Under DCNow EXPOSED! The latter included an amendment urging to Board of Pensions to continue to develop the policies and practices that will ensure that Plan members be able to access reproductive health care and abortion equitably, no matter the state they live in.. Because we are made in the image of God, human beings are moral agents, endowed by the Creator with the capacity to make choices. Here was their full post advocating for Abortion, from PCUSA.org: On the very day the Supreme Court took away a womans right to choose in several states, the Health, Safety and Benefits Committee twice voted on items that reaffirm the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)s stand on choice and reproductive justice. The church has a responsibility to provide public witness and to offer guidance, counsel and support to those who make or interpret laws and public policies about abortion and problem pregnancies. .(1) In the years that followed this action, the General Assembly has adopted policy and taken positions on the subject of abortion. Our desire is to make this issue a less visible aspect of our public face to the community so that we can do a better job communicating the core truth of the Gospel to our neighbors. For any choice, we are accountable to God; however, even when we err, God offers to forgive us.(2). The now-Advocacy Committee on Women's Concerns brought an overture on reproductive justiceto the 224th General Assembly (2020) that was postponed because of the shortened online business docket and will be taken up at the hybrid 225th General Assembly this summer. Presbyterians have struggled with the issue of abortion for more than 30 years, beginning in 1970 when the General Assembly, the national governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), declared that "the artificial or induced termination of a pregnancy is a matter of careful ethical decision of the patient . Topics: %%EOF (9) Minutes of the 204th General Assembly (1992), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), pp. I dont believe its wise to soft-pedal Jesus radical call to discipleship to committed Christians. It also determined that HSB-07, from Hudson River Presbytery, was answered by its action on HSB-06. Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO), and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) (updated 2/2015) . For the Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman's right to choose to have a baby. Yes, folks.thats your Presbyterian Church saying how they are DEEPLY outraged, saddened, and mortified by the Dobbs decision! We reject the use of violence and/or abusive language either in protest of or in support of abortion. The 217th General Assembly (2006) reiterated the role of the church in individual and families lives as they face problem pregnancy issues. In a 6 to 3 vote, the Supreme Court overturned the historicRoe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which confirmed a pregnant persons constitutional right to choose whether or not to terminate during the early months of their pregnancy. Problem pregnancies are the result of, and influenced by, so many complicated and insolvable circumstances that we have neither the wisdom nor the authority to address or decide each situation. Also notable in the Presbyterian faith is Calvin's strong belief in the sovereignty of God. Support our siblings affected by disaster, hunger and oppression through One Great Hour of Sharing. "I think the piece that is under-acknowledged is the extent to which this is an issue of religious freedom. 2014-12-31T21:30:50-05:00 Bodily autonomy is a basic human right that cannot be silenced nor legislated away. The church, therefore, appreciates the challenge each woman and family face when issues of personal well-being arise in the later stages of a pregnancy. Support our siblings affected by disaster, hunger and oppression through One Great Hour of Sharing. It's hardly a mystery or secret. However, for the non-believers whom we hope to draw into our community of faith, such a reputation functions effectively as a non-believer repellant. A typical resident of our neighborhood would be unlikely to give the Gospel a fair hearing from the pulpit or from individual testimony if he or she thought that homophobia was in any way connected to what we are advocating through our church. A A Abortion runs counter to most Christian beliefs. Weve learned a lot about the RINOs since President Trump came onto the scene in 2015. and therefore should not be restricted by law . From VoterVoice.net, read this stunning position from the Church: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. The Board of Pensions already has certain travel expense reimbursements in place, Spencer said. K_bD6-0qCBe ydXAo)T287`,B?,E TcT1gh/g>}I3NT^C\dI ,/7+\]`W pWS(i~'daR1 '%|l@D)/=&tVH8Mg ^$1&@miOvH7Nd! UY43y,hC&20J5[oO;&FK:P =;M"1![^SKE~t5?V1_L*e_ ?X>Co3&;t~J!=:+s:2FQ?PLvP)rMU!3~s9K+g0I4mPC[T>QE.@Pw Word %PDF-1.5 % John Calvin believed that the system of church government used by him and his associates in Geneva, Strassburg, Zrich, and other places was based upon the Bible and the experience . It was established in 2012 by former congregations and members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), abbreviated PC (USA). Abortion, Not all Southern Baptists supported abortion rights, however. Central to Calvin's theology is the concept of predestination, essentially the belief that God has foreordained salvation for some people, known as the "elect." Calvin did not see . This is no less true for those making decisions about whether and when to have children. But they don't want to give up the perks."). Baptists believe that, biblically, human life begins at conception, that abortion is immoral and a destruction of a human being created in God's image (Job 31:15; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44; Proverbs 31:8-9; Galatians 1:15). While that was certainly not the only reason we ultimately decided to leave, it was the issue that pushed us to enter into a discernment process, and it would have been disingenuous not to mention it. A report from the Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force also addresses reproductive justice. The Biden Administration must use its executive authorities to guarantee reproductive freedom. We urge Presbyterians everywhere to affirm that which our church believes and tell the Biden administration to prioritize aproactive abortion agenda ASAP. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The dialogue called for a major presentation on each of four views on abortion, and a . PCUSA shares a common background with its theologically conservative counterpart, Presbyterian Church of America (PCA). * Certain religious groups, well-organized and well-funded, are increasing their efforts to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court, and to legislate a ban not only on abortion but on contraceptives as well. The Assembly adopted the committee's report, which reaffirmed reproductive choice, deplored harassment of women seeking abortions, protested the ongoing terror campaigns against abortion clinics and urged congregations to start volunteer networks to escort women to abortion clinics. Their biggest success that year was bringing Mother Teresa of Kolkata to address a gathering of Presbyterians at the St. Louis Sheraton. Meanwhile, the pro-abortion mainline Protestant churches are experiencing disastrous slumps in membership. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is the largest Presbyterian denomination. Responding to Overture 44, on unscriptural views of marriage, divorce, and infanticide, the commissioners wrote, This Assembly regards the destruction by parents of their own offspring, before birth, with abhorrence, as a crime against God and against nature., A century later the 1962 UPCUSA General Assembly adopted the report of itsCommittee on Responsible Marriage and Parenthoodholding that abortion could not bean individual decision on the part of the physician and couple. Boy, for a guy who likes to sidestep the big, hot issues And what deft sidestepping Rev. Survivors of Sexual Misconduct Task Force. We derive our understanding of human life from Scripture and the Reformed Tradition in light of science, human experience and reason guided by the Holy Spirit. In 2019, responding to Alabama's passage of anti-abortion legislation, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) issued a statement outlining the denomination's position. We derive our understanding of human life from Scripture and the Reformed Tradition in light of science, human experience and reason guided by the Holy Spirit. endstream endobj 552 0 obj <>/Encoding<>>>>> endobj 3 0 obj <> endobj 97 0 obj <> endobj 550 0 obj <> endobj 551 0 obj <> endobj 1079 0 obj <>/P 1066 0 R/S/P>> endobj 1080 0 obj <> endobj 1081 0 obj <> endobj 1082 0 obj <> endobj 1083 0 obj <> endobj 1084 0 obj <> endobj 1085 0 obj <> endobj 1086 0 obj <> endobj 1087 0 obj <> endobj 1066 0 obj <> endobj 1029 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]>>/Type/Page>> endobj 1045 0 obj [1064 0 R 1062 0 R 1060 0 R 1058 0 R 1056 0 R 1054 0 R 1052 0 R 1050 0 R 1048 0 R 1046 0 R] endobj 1044 0 obj <>stream We may receive compensation from affiliate partners for some links on this site. The committee [on problem pregnancies and abortion] agreed that there are no biblical texts that speak expressly to the topic of abortion, but that taken in their totality the Holy Scriptures are filled with messages that advocate respect for the woman and child before and after birth. PHS RG 519, box 70, folder 11. The Human Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that are of interest to the general public and further our common mission to support the LGBTQ+ community. The Rev. are teaching those contrary views, then there is an approval of those views, deeming them 'acceptable' even though . Religious leaders from many denominations are working to preserve access to abortion care if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Their decision should be limited and restrained by the larger society., In 1966 theUPCUSA organized theTask Force to Study Sexuality and the Human Community, which reported to the 1970 Assembly, reversing the 1962 position: Abortion should be taken out of the realm of the law altogether and be made a matter of the careful ethical decision of a woman, her physician and her pastor or other counselor. The influence of the Confession of 1967 is evident here. Presbyterians Pro-Life began organizing in 1984, and had its first exhibit booth at the 1985 General Assembly. There were many aspects of the discernment process that made me proud of our church as well as of the governing body of our denomination. We anticipate that people are going to become even poorer. Of these two, the Session is looking more closely at ECO, because ECO's theological beliefs are closer to those of most RGAPC church members, and because ECO fully supports the ordination of women. Jewish Reconstructionist Federation. Abortion views differ among religions. Mandarin Presbyterian Church Podcast MPC Communications Religion & Spirituality 5.0 10 Ratings; Mandarin Presbyterian Church located in Jacksonville, FL. 2014-12-31T21:30:50-05:00 When an individual woman faces the decision whether to terminate a pregnancy, the issue is intensely personal, and may manifest itself in ways that do not reflect public rhetoric, or do not fit neatly into medical, legal or policy guidelines. The Christian community must be concerned about and address the circumstances that bring a woman to consider abortion as the best available option. However, I dreaded making the announcements about the discernment meetings as well as giving reports from the meetings to the gathered church in worship. Everyone knows that's why ECO formed. President Joe Biden signed an executive order Friday aimed at protecting abortion rights in response to the landmark decision by the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. At the 220th General Assembly in 2012 we affirmed, no law should impose criminal penalties against any [person] who chooses or physician who performs a medically safe abortion, and no law should sanction any action intended to harm or harass those persons contemplating or deciding to have an abortion., We have long held that God alone is Lord of the conscienceand has endowed all humans with the moral agency to make choices. If your convictions are so great they've compelled you to found a "breakaway movement," why aren't they great enough for you to be explicit about what it is you're breaking away from? . Though it extensively decriedsexual anarchy,the confession sought to frame sexual relationships and matters of home and family in terms of compassion rather than discipline: The church comes under the judgment of God and invites rejection by society when it fails to lead men and women into the full meaning of life together or withholds the compassion of Christ from those caught in the moral confusion of our time., The 1970 Assembly adopted the Task Force's report, adding that abortion was a matter of the careful ethical decision of the patient. This position was strengthened by the 1972 Assembly, which declared: Women should have full freedom of personal choice concerning the completion or termination of their pregnancies and that the artificial or induced termination of pregnancy, therefore, should not be restricted by law, except that it be performed under the direction and control of a properly licensed physician.. WASHINGTON Republicans have spent decades attacking the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, but with the toppling of Roe v. Wade seemingly imminent, their . After an abortion law took effect in Texas last fall that allows private citizens to sue someone who performs an abortion or helps someone obtain one after six weeks of pregnancy, Rabbi Mara. Click for excerpt from The Ploughhand, Robert Lee Maffett, after 1977. Human choices should not be made in a moral vacuum, but must be based on Scripture, faith and Christian ethics. In finance, theres a saying often attributed to Warren Buffett that says: When the tide goes out, you see who was swimming naked., A similar application is about to apply to Conservatives and Christians, because many are RINOs and CINOs. The committee [on problem pregnancies and abortion] agreed that there are no biblical texts that speak expressly to the topic of abortion, but that taken in their totality the Holy Scriptures are filled with messages that advocate respect for the woman and child before and after birth. Michelle Bartel of the, was called on to pray. I fear the tent has collapsed without a center.". (4), In life and death, we belong to God. Life is a gift from God. The 1992 General Assembly approved the report of theSpecial Committee on Problem Pregnancies and Abortion, which included an affirmation that abortion should not be used as a method of birth control., The affirmation echoed language used by opponents of abortion, who frequently argued that because other methods of contraception exist, all abortions are elective and casual. We recognized that [todays Supreme Court] decision was likely to come, he said. Congregations have a duty to pray for and support those who face these choices, to offer support for women and families to help make unwanted pregnancies less likely to occur, and to provide practical support for those facing the birth of a child with medical anomalies, birth after rape or incest, or those who face health, economic, or other stresses. In 1968 she helped found the Albany-area Clergy Consultation Service (CCS), a group of Protestant and Jewish religious leaders who conducted all-options counseling setting some women up with adoption services, finding legal abortion providers for others and safe but illegal abortions for others. The Board of Pensions commitment to mental health parity is huge, Spencer told the committee. Part of HuffPost Religion. . Life does not belong to us. On Friday, committee members unanimously passed a fourth, HSB-10, a commissioners resolution called On Addressing Mental Health Challenges at Every Level of the Church., The resolution commends the Board of Pensions for its work in widely interpreting a focus on wholeness and mental health across the church. It encourages the Board of Pensions to focus further attention on the promotion of mental health initiatives specifically with respect to [Plan members] culture, race and ethnicity as they continue to exercise Christs compassionate response to Plan members who are hurting., It also urges the Board of Pensions to commission a study to examine and propose policy and process changes, if needed, to ensure compassion and response to requests from Plan members for mental health assistance and/or psychiatric disability.. A proactive agenda would ensure that everyone, regardless of race, gender identity, age, income, ZIP code, insurance status, disability status, sexuality, and more would have equitable access to abortion care. To be Presbyterian is to be governed according to the pattern of elders seen in the Old and New Testaments. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child. While I felt it was important enough to prevent our members being misinformed about this vitally important topic, I was keenly aware of how this message would sound to various people who were in our worship services when the announcement was made. Poverty, unjust societal realities, sexism, racism, and inadequate supportive relationships may render a woman virtually powerless to choose freely. Many others believe that while abortion is a regrettable reality, it can be a morally acceptable action . 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