As followers of Christ, convinced by Scripture and the Reformed tradition, we envision a world as inclusive as God's grace and a church where God's call to service is affirmed in all persons.
It is 2012 and we are in full swing organizing the 2012 LGBTQ Inquirers and Candidates Retreat, July 26-29 in the mountains of Georgia. This is open to all individuals pursuing Ministry as a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Click here f0r more information and please help us spread the word!
After years of serving congregations throughout the northeast while living in the closet, Laurie met the love of her life. On October 17, 2009, Laurie and Lisa were married in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With excitement and trepidation, she told her congregation and her Presbytery.
The congregation she served for over five years ended the pastoral relationship and the presbytery filed charges to remove her from office.
On January 29, 2011, Laurie was put on trial and was found to be innocent by the Permanent Judicial Commission of her Presbytery. This ruling was challenged and just heard this past weekend by the Synod of the Northeast. Again she was found innocent.
While we give thanks for the ruling, we know that it does not come without its toll on Laurie and Lisa’s lives. Being under judicial attack is nothing but exhausting, trying, and anxiety-provoking. It brings your faith in God to the mat.
In sharing the news with Presbyterian Welcome Laurie said this:
When Paul came out to his mother she had two concerns. She knew he was called to ministry in the Presbyterian Church and she knew he was called to be a father; she didn’t think he would be able to do either.
After following careers through filmmaking and banking, Paul began Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York in 2005. After learning about Presbyterian Welcome through attending an event we organized featuring three out ministers, he realized that at least one of his dreams could come true. Under our guidance and taking advantage of the LGBTQ Inquirers and Candidate community we coordinate, he began to follow the path towards ordained ministry.
When 10A was passed, removing the last of the legislative barriers to ordination for LGBTQ individuals in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Paul agreed to tell his story on MSNBC. Click here to listen to what he had to say:
This many years later Paul and his partner, Joe, are fathers to a beautiful girl, Ellie. Also, the news is just in that Paul’s family is moving to California as he will be ordained into the position of Pastor of Sausalito Presbyterian Church.
This is what he wrote in telling us of this new call:
My deep gratitude goes to you, all the Board Members, the staff and volunteers, the members and member churches, and of course the funders, of Presbyterian Welcome for the tireless work that has been done to bring the church to this important place. While so many have done so much, I single you out for the role you have taken over these past many years to keep the thirst for justice alive in each of us; to hold out a vision of hope and success even in the face of bitter defeats; and to provide the love, confidence and nurture to not only myself, but candidates and inquirers, and closeted clergy around the nation.
Personally, your commitment to seeing this day become a reality for me, as well as your unwavering faith in my call, has helped propel me forward despite what looked like a legislative impossibility for much of my journey. My understanding of church and being a pastor has been enriched by your mentorship. My heart has been greatly warmed by your friendship.
Paul asks you in this incredible year to support our work with a year-end, tax deductible donation. We have many LGBTQ Inquirers and Candidates who will follow in his footsteps needing support. We have the great advances of this year to protect and continue.
Celebrate our pride in Paul and the Presbyterian Church (USA) by donating to our life-saving work. Our budgetary season closes on December 31–please donate before then!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Presbyterian Welcome www.presbyterianwelcome.org, 917-441-8638
2095 Broadway, Suite 308, New York, NY 10023
Contact: Rev. Mieke Vandersall, 917-441-8638, pastormieke@gmail.com
October 5, 2011
On November 10, Presbyterian Welcome will present its 2011 Faithful Servant Award to three exceptional leaders in the movement for full inclusion of all people — without regard to sexual orientation and gender identification — in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Honorees are the Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig of The Covenant Network of Presbyterians, Patrick Evans of Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music, and the Rev. Anna Taylor Sweringen of the Presbytery of New York City.
The event will be held at 7:00 PM, November 10 at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, 7 West 55th Street in Manhattan. Tickets begin at $50 and can be purchased here: http://bit.ly/p6QF8x
The Rev. Mieke Vandersall, Minister Director of Presbyterian Welcome, says,
“For the LGBTQ movement in the Presbyterian Church, this has been a watershed year because of the passage of Amendment 10-A.” The amendment replaces exclusive language in the Book of Order, the church’s governing Constitution. “Amendment 10-A puts equality on the books,” Vandersall added, “it is now in the hands of the church’s leadership to make it a reality.”
The Faithful Servant Award recognizes the remarkable and inspirational leadership for the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the world. Previous honorees include the Rev. Barbara Lundblad, the Rev. Dr.Mark Hostetter, Doug Nave and Christine Quinn, all leaders for LGBTQ individuals in church and the world.
Tricia Dykers-Koenig is the National Organizer for the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. She played a critical role in the passage of Amendment 10A and has worked tirelessly for LGBTQ Presbyterians for over a decade. The Rev. Dr. David Colby, Board Member of The Covenant Network of Presbyterians says “For many long years, Tricia kept a laser focus on what was needed to change the ordination standards in the PC (USA). She was pragmatic and strategic at every stage, keeping her integrity and compassion intact through perceived victories and losses. The passage of 10-A could not have happened without the hard work and perseverance of so many faithful people. Yet it is particularly appropriate to honor Tricia and celebrate her efforts as we pray that the church will embrace this new reality.”
Patrick Evans, Associate Professor in the Practice of Sacred Music at Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and Minister of Music at Broadway Presbyterian Church, serves the LGBTQ movement in the Presbyterian Church through music: song, musical liturgy, composition and education. Says Michael J. Adee, the Executive Director of More Light Presbyterians, “Patrick has faithfully and joyfully taught our pro-LGBTQ movement how to sing and worship our way into justice. Internationally recognized for creation and leadership of affirming worship, Patrick is a remarkable organizer and advocate for LGBTQ equality. During the 10-A struggle, he adopted his home state of Alabama for outreach and 10-A won in that state in no small part because of Patrick.”
Anna Taylor Sweringen, a native New Yorker and graduate of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, provided critical public witness that contributed to the recent passage of the New York State Marriage Bill. “Anna was the heart and soul of our work for marriage equality in Queens,” says Kate McDonough, Lead Organizer of the Empire State Pride Agenda. “She gave tirelessly of herself and was crucial to the change of hearts and minds of key leaders in Queens. Her commitment and dedication to LGBTQ equality and justice is truly inspiring.”
Rev. Vandersall extended a personal invitation to the celebration, “The Faithful Servant Awards is our one party of the year, and for a great cause. Not only do we get to meet and celebrate our heroes, it’s a wonderful occasion to support each other, network and make new connections for the important work ahead.”
Presbyterian Welcome, a 14-year old ministry with offices in Manhattan, represents 20 Supporting Congregations in the tri-state area, as it works with local congregations to support, educate and equip persons to combat homophobia, exclusion, and bullying in their churches, communities and schools.
In addition, Presbyterian Welcome offers active support to scores of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person across the country who are actively pursuing ordained ministry in the PC (USA), providing a network of community, guidance, and strategic counsel on a continuing basis.
Presbyterian Welcome works for the full participation of individuals in contexts of faith, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. As followers of Christ, convinced by Scripture, we labor for a world where all persons might live into the calling that God has placed in their hearts. We are a resource, training current and future leaders of church and society. Presbyterian Welcome is based in New York City and supported by member congregations and individuals.
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Save the Date!Presbyterian Welcome’s Faithful Servant Awards 2011Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 PMFifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
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Tricia Dykers-Koenig is the National Organizer for the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. She played a critical role in the passage of Amendment 10A, working tirelessly and fearlessly for LGBTQ Presbyterians for over a decade. Tricia also has served as a valuable resource to LGBTQ individuals pursuing ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA), working on site at seven retreats organized by Presbyterian Welcome. A graduate of Duke University and McCormick Theological Seminary, Tricia co-pastored congregations in Iowa and Ohio for 20 years. |
 Patrick Evans, Associate Professor in the Practice of Sacred Music at Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and Minister of Music at member congregation Broadway Presbyterian Church, has faithfully served the LGBTQ movements in the Presbyterian Church through his gift of song, composition and teaching. Patrick serves on the Presbyterian Welcome Visionary Board and has led numerous services of worship for us throughout the years. He recently joined a team of church musician/teachers convened by the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Missions, spending two weeks in Uganda, teaching and learning from church musicians and pastors from that country, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.
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 Anna Taylor Sweringen, a native New Yorker and graduate of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, provided invaluable public witness that contributed to the recent passage of legislation allowing for same-gender-loving couples to marry in New York State. Anna serves as Secretary of the Visionary Board of Presbyterian Welcome and has been one of our most faithful volunteers, always responding with wisdom, excitement and grace. Anna currently moderates the Session of member congregation St. James Presbyterian Church, has served on many presbytery committees and has served as Pastor to a number of Presbyterian and United Church of Christ congregations. |
The Heritage of Pride March 2011 was terribly exciting this year. We celebrated on the wake of major change in the Presbyterian Church (USA) amending 10A and the NY State Senate allowing same-gender loving couples to marry. Below we share a few reflections from friends who marched with us:
The Rev. Anna Taylor Sweringen:
Can I describe the joy and the energy I experienced on Pride Sunday 2011? Yeah! Non-stop pulsating energy from the young people of Caribbean Spotlight Pride preening, provoking and parading to soul stirring West Indies rhythms. The stoic smiling dignity of Catholics marching knowing the mountains they still have to surpass. The pride that fluttered in the wings of our boa-draped doves because of our 10A victory. The genuine surprise and affirmation when the crowds along the parade route clamored for, took, read then wore our “Flaming for Christ” buttons. The chest swelling pride and awe of marching on Pride Sunday after the passage of marriage equality in New York State. I danced the entire route, heart happy, mind made up and soul on fire for the next phase of Pres Welcome’s ministry toward full equality for LGBT folk in the church and society.
The Rev. Laurie McNeill:
Cosmopolitan Communion: Who knew it is possible to laugh and smile and screech and howl for hours on end? God’s children, a million strong, lined Fifth Avenue in a frenzy of rational exuberance. The multitude was intoxicated by joy over Governor Andrew Cuomo’s legalization of gay marriage in the Empire State.
And from an anonymous marcher who wrote the following to his son:
I was wondering if you comprehended the sense of accomplishment which motivated me to make that march. From “a sick pervert” (1940′s) to a prideful celebration (2011) of 23 years of loving commitment publicly advertised? It has been a movement from shame and hiding to public and proud – not as a member of a movement, but as a very personal journey, with a lot of risk and some courage. In summary – it’s been one hell of a journey. That march was, for us, a celebration of survival and accomplishment. Perhaps the best analogy is a “Victory Lap” at the end of a race you’ve won.
Yesterday, July 10, was the day when Amendment 10A was officially ratified. 10A removes all official barriers to ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer members! Oh how hard we have all worked for this day to come. How hard we have worked and how much work we have ahead of us for all to be able to answer and live into their calling. I just returned from the LGBTQ Inquirers and Candidates Retreat where about 30 individuals gathered to worship, support and care for each other. It was a wonderful place to be on the eve of this historic day. At midnight on July 10 we gathered to light candles and give thanks for the countless people who have worked to make this day happen.
You might have seen some of our folks in the news these past few days. I write to share articles with interviews from LGBTQ Inquirers and Candidates. I am so very proud to know how much of a role Presbyterian Welcome has had in supporting their journeys.
Check out Presbyterian Welcome Board Member on MSNBC:
Inquirers and Candidates Jeannine Oakes, Meghan Foote, Lisa Larges and Paul Mowry are featured in these articles: Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune and Greeley Tribune.
Thank you for all your have done for Presbyterian Welcome and all the amazing people we have the privilege of walking with.
Presbyterian Welcome Flaming for Christ!
At long last we have details for our presence at the Heritage of Pride March 2011. We will meet at 12:30 pm on 38th Street between Madison and Park Avenues. We are in Section 10 and are group 31. While we gather at 12:30 we certainly won’t launch into the march until later than this. So just come on down or up after church! You can also find out where we will be through our twitter feed or call Mieke at 917-776-0292.
We have fantastic props for this year! Our doves have been dressed up, our signs have been improved upon and — even better – we have made amazing tshirts that, collectively, will make us look like we are flames! Once you meet us on 38th Street there will be a place where you can change into your free complimentary flaming t-shirt! If you are wondering what you should wear withyour fabulous t-shirt, just jeans or light pants with comfy shoes will do.
And, of course we will be handing out “Flaming for Christ” buttons and atomic fireball candy to the crowd.
Over 125 people came together at First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York on May 22, 2011 for a grand celebration of worship and fellowship to mark the passage of Amendment 10A. With music by Paul Vasile, Emily Scott, Patrick Evans, and the Park Avenue Christian Church Gospel Choir, preaching by the Rev. Mieke Vandersall, prayers, announcements, ecumenical greetings, Communion and so much more from our community, we had a pretty fabulous time. If you want to see photos, check them out on our facebook page. Thank you to all our supporters who made this such a special day.
It has happened! On May 10, with the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area tipping the scale, Amendment 10-A made its way through 87 presbyteries and has passed. For the first time in over 30 years there are no official restrictions on ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Presbyterians to the offices of deacon, elder or minister of Word and Sacrament!