In light of recent actions taken by bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including the General Assembly and its Permanent Judicial Commission, the Session of Takoma Park Presbyterian Church is compelled by Jesus Christ as Lord of our conscience to make the following statement:
We deeply regret the great pain and distress that our denomination and its decisions are causing our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered members, friends, and families. We feel this pain and distress as our own.
After much prayer and reflection on Scripture, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we conclude that we cannot in good conscience abide by denominational decisions that exclude or reject gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, or disqualify them from ordained office because of their sexual orientation.
We as a church love and include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. We welcome them into the church of Jesus Christ. As a "More Light" church, we will continue to ordain and install qualified gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons to all ordained offices. We will continue to value, bless, and celebrate Holy Unions between people of the same gender.
We pledge to work with and within our denomination to help the Presbyterian Church be a channel of the love of Jesus Christ, whose love is offered to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or any other category of worldly condition.
Approved by Session,
Takoma Park Presbyterian Church
310 Tulip Ave.
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
August 3, 2000
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