General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission Rules

On Spahr Case

The General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) met on Friday, April 25, 2008, to hear two cases, one of which was Spahr v. Presbytery of Redwoods.

In its decision, the GAPJC:

• reiterated that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Constitution defines marriage in the Directory for Worship (W-4.9001) as “a civil contract between a man and a woman.”
• The GAPJC dismissed the charges against Rev. Spahr, finding that her pastoral care for same-gender couples had not violated the PC(USA) Constitution.
• clarified interpretation of the definition of marriage in such a way as to prohibit PC(USA) ministers of the Word and Sacrament and others who are authorized to perform marriages from stating, implying, or representing that a same-sex ceremony is a marriage.
• interpreted that under W-4.9001 of the Directory for Worship, a same-sex ceremony is not and cannot be a marriage.

Click on the link to read The decision of the GAPJC or A Revised Version of Advisory Opinion #7 to reflect this recent decision of the GAPJC.

Search for Synod Stated Clerk Position Begins

The Stated Clerk position of the Synod of the Pacific will be vancant as of 01/01/09.  This position works to assure that the Synod and its component parts function in compliance with the Book of Order.

This is a 1/3 time position, to be elected 10/11/08 with a six-year term beginning January 2009.

The position is open to both ordained elders and ministers residing within the geographic boundaries of the Synod of the Pacific.  The position description and information about the Synod are available below.

Submit your resume with list of references to Patrice Alshuth, patrice@synodpacific.org by 6/15/08. Contact Patrice at: 1-800-754-0669 Ext 14.

Position Description                            

                                    Synod Executive, Rob Brink

Addresses Synod Assembly

February 7, 2008

As the June 2008 General Assembly meeting in San Jose rapidly approaches, I wonder how we Presbyterians will conduct ourselves as challenging issues and overtures are brought before the elected delegates for consideration. Based on our historical performance in dealing with difficult decisions, I have to confess I am concerned.  After each General Assembly, one comment frequently heard is that the worship times were the highlight of the meeting.  Yet it seems as if those very times of coming together with common desire to worship the God who created and loves each and every one of us equally, have little or no connection to the business part of the meeting. What happens inside each of us that makes loving, caring, thankful brothers and sisters in Christ suddenly become angry, frustrated, agenda driven individuals during committee meetings and plenary sessions? At the risk of appearing presumptuous, I suggest that it is our unwillingness to submit ourselves unconditionally to the will of God.  All of the challenges and issues we face have been the same concerns that Christians and religious leaders have struggled with since the serpent slyly convinced Adam and Eve that they did not need to listen to God - they could make their own decisions without God's help.  It is at times like these that I hear my pastor's favorite saying ringing in my brain, "How's that working for you?" Click here to read Rob's entire Address to the Synod.

                       Summer Position for Hire

Westminster Woods Camp and Conference Center

                            Meacham, Oregon

Westminster Woods Camp and Conference Center is a non-profit mission outreach of the First Presbyterian Church of Pendleton, Oregon.  Currently they are seeking applicants for the position of summer caretaker.  All those who are interested in applying may contact (541) 276-7681 for further details and application.

Compensation includes R.V. site, utilities, and monthly salary.  Applicant background check required.  To view the camp facilities, visit www.pendletonpresbyterian.com and click on the camp link.

Current Investment and Loan Services' Rates

Effective 02/11/08

First Presbyterian Church, Burlingame, CA

First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame has two positions available for hire:

Director of Contemporary Music

Available Immediately

First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame (www.burlpres.org) is looking for an engaging, dynamic, Christ-centered individual gifted with the passion and skills for an exciting part time Director of Contemporary Music (DCM).  This leader will work with a ministry team of lay ministers and musicians to lead, develop and enhance the contemporary (9:30am) worship service of FPCB.

The DCM will lead an established worship group called Simply Spirit for a blended service on Sundays and occasional special events, services and concerts during the year.  This leader will work with the Worship team and Pastors to support the messages, develop and utilize multimedia elements in worship and help to develop other lay-minister musicians.  The DCM will work with the youth leaders to incorporate young people into worship as is appropriate.

If you are a competent musician and preparing and planning for worship services, providing a caring and Christ-centered ministry team and growing the Kingdom through contemporary music appeals to you, we have the opportunity for you!

Visit us on our web page for the complete job description (www.burlpres.org > Staff > Open Jobs) or send a resume to Mark Fagerstrom, Executive Administrator, at MFagerstrom@burlpres.org or by calling 650-342-0875 x236.

 Director of High School Ministries

First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame (www.burlpres.org) is looking for an engaging, dynamic, Christ-centered individual gifted with the passion and skills for full time ministry with high school students.  This leader will work with a ministry team of Pastors and dedicated lay leaders to set goals and achieve results in drawing teens into the life of the Church and a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   

This full-time, benefited position will provide the perfect candidate the opportunity to build on an existing, established ministry by applying their unique talents and abilities in planning, program development, and engaging and welcoming students of diverse backgrounds and personalities.

The selected candidate will find great resources, a positive and dedicated staff, committed parents, and engaged adult leaders which, when combined with great ideas, careful planning and clear communication, will contribute to the growth of the Kingdom through the life of our Church. 

Requirements

- 4 year college degree, a deep Christian faith, preferably protestant

-Experience working with high school youth (2 year minimum preferred), volunteer work experience; creative, takes initiative, high energy

-Public speaking experience, leadership experience, program administration skills such as working within a budget

-Ability to build one-on-one relationships and work with teams of people

-Optional: Musical or other talents.

FPCB is committed to supporting a long-term relationship with the right candidate.  A full job description may be viewed at www.burlpres.org > Staff > Open Jobs. 

For more information send questions or resumes to Mark Fagerstrom, Executive Administrator, at MFagerstrom@burlpres.org or by calling 650-342-0875 x236.

Looking Long Range at Mission Partnership

In the spring of each year it has been the practice in the Synod of the Pacific, to sponsor a meeting of representatives from each of the Presbyteries to talk about mission within the region and decide how to allocate Mission Partnership monies to fund it. Frustration has been expressed over the years by the participants about this process. The general feeling is that the mission funding consultation meeting does not foster partnership among the presbyteries but in many cases, promotes mistrust and competition.

Desiring that adaptive changes be made in the mission funding process that actually would create more of a partnership, the Synod Mission Partnership Committee set up the Long Range Mission Partnership Task Force in early 2006. The purpose of this task force was to examine partnership as a whole within the Synod of the Pacific, including the development of a new model for the mission funding process. The Mission Partnership Committee asked each Presbytery to appoint a representative to serve on the task force.

The task force has met three times since its formation. The discernment process that we are following includes these steps: Gathering, Sharing Information, Formulating, Weighing Options, Coming to Agreement.

During our time together, we have prayed with each other and for each other often.

We have learned many things about partnership. We have learned that partnership includes above all things, TRUST in one another. It also includes shared commitment, shared decision making, common goals, and recognition of each partner’s gifts for ministry.

We have shared misconceptions that we have about each other’s presbyteries.  We have shared difficult feelings we may have about one another.

We have each told the stories of our presbyteries. We have shared those points of joy and hope as well as concerns for the future which we each bring to the table.

We have learned that it is impossible to compare the Presbyteries within our synod, because each is unique in its make-up and approach to mission. However it is possible to honor and celebrate the gifts for ministry that each one contributes.

As we have met together, we have seen our openness, mutual understanding, and trust growing. We have also begun to envision more equitable ways that we might share mission funds. We have talked about how to share mission, so that each presbytery feels a sense of ownership in each other’s endeavors. We have begun to conceive of concrete ways in which we can all be more authentically the Body of Christ.

The task force is now perfecting and weighing options that have begun to emerge for us. We will be meeting again in March 2007, hoping to complete our recommendations. We hope that our original moderator, Bob Justman’s prayer is being answered. His prayer was that we would be able to define how we, in God’s love depend on one another and how our partnership can truly make us all stronger.

Cathy Quackenbush

Chair of the Long Range Mission Partnership Task Force

February, 2007