Greetings — I am semi-live blogging this session of the
General Assembly (2009) of the Church of Scotland. I apologize to those with e-mail feeds or a feed
reader since you will probably only get the first section of the post
since I’ll be adding updates throughout the session. Also, if you are
reading this on a browser live you will also need to refresh the screen
since I don’t have push technology on my blog. It’s tough being Web
1.99999 in a Web 2.0 world. Thanks for your patience.
This
blogging is semi-live since I am not there but only following on the webcast. This session is to deal with the overture from the Presbytery of Lochcarron-Skye proposing specific standards for these cases. It is being continued from Saturday evening from whence it was postponed because the judicial case ran until almost 11:00 PM.
4:00 PM local time – Right on schedule the Assembly turns to the order of the day, the Overture from Lochcarron-Skye. There is a proposed motion to reverse the order of the motions in this section. The Moderator asks for advice and when the Deputy Clerk begins a longer answer the Moderator reminds her “I was looking for advice, not a conversation.” Based on the advice then given the Moderator says not to reverse the motion.
4:03 – The opening presentation by Rev Dr John L McPake moves the following:
For the sake of the peace and unity of the Church the General Assembly:
1. Appoint a Special Commission composed of nine
persons, representative of the breadth and unity of
the Church, to consult with all Presbyteries and to
prepare a study on Ordination and Induction to the
Ministry of the Church of Scotland in the light of the
issues (a) addressed in the report welcomed by the
General Assembly of 2007: “A challenge to unity:
same-sex relationships as an issue in theology and
human sexuality”, and (b) raised by the case of
Aitken et al v the Presbytery of Aberdeen, and to
report to the General Assembly of 2011;2. Instruct all Courts, Councils and Committees of the
Church to observe a moratorium on issuing public
comment, whether in publications or otherwise,
and decision-making in relation to contentious
matters of human sexuality, in particular with
respect to Ordination and Induction to the Ministry
of the Church of Scotland, until 31 May 2011; and3. Urge all members who are subject to the discipline
of the Courts of the Church of Scotland to act in
accordance with the process outlined in 1 and 2.
4:14 – Rev Dr Angus Morrison seconds
4:19 – The Assembly turns to Addendum. There are three that are being read by the Deputy Clerk so commissioners know what is ahead. In addition, the Deputy Clerk notes that the three addendum’s are no inconsistent with the main motion or the other addendum’s.
4:24 – Motion to amend so the Special Commission reports back to GA from 2011 to 2010. Wants to minimize the time this process will take since it could be followed by an act sent to the presbyteries under the Barrier Act. Another commissioner argues that this has been going on too long as it is. Moderator asks him to speak to the amendment alone. He says he will but continues on speaking to the whole motion saying that it should be denied and just adopt the presbytery overture and get a vote over with. Give the presbyteries a vote not just a consultation. Moderator stops him to commissioner applause.
4:30 – Other speakers on both sides of dates. One speaker reasonably arguing for 2011 to take the time for real discussion and “cooling off.” Commissioner in background can be seen rolling his eyes.
4:40 – Moderator calls for one more speaker on each side. Speaker for 2010 speaks of media perception and “people in the pews” think the GA made a decision Saturday night on the whole subject not just that case. Speaker against 2010 is convener of Special Committee on the Third Article — Committee was given two years and he wishes they were given three.
4:48 – Now there is an interesting polity question from the floor: Can this motion be taken outside the Barrier Act because it stops presbyteries from sending overtures to next year’s GA on this subject. Deputy Clerk responds that this is a narrower focus (single issue) than the Lochcarron-Skye Overture so some reconciliation might be needed.
Motion to change to 2010 rejected overwhelmingly.
New addendum to include kirk sessions as part of the consultation, not just presbyteries.
5:03 – “and kirk sessions” agreed to
Section 1, as amended, is agreed to
Debate on Section 2
Active debate on exactly what the moratorium means: no sermons? no public comment at all? how broadly is the topic of human sexuality to be avoided? what about discussion groups? What about blogs?
The discussion tries to focus on “press statements” but there is concern about other statements which might be picked up by the press. In deciding on the current amendment to the amendment the Deputy Clerk reminds commissioners that they are only voting on which version they prefer even if they dislike them both.
5:52 – This discussion continues, and there are still other motions and the overture to deal with this evening. OK, I now see why the business from Saturday night was continued to today.
Deputy Clerk weighs in that having made the decision on Saturday night it would not be advisable now to make a decision that would reverse that particular case. [Editorial comment: Then why was the specific dealt with before the general standard?]
The vote on Section 2 as amended by standing is ruled against, there is a challenge so they are now voting electronically.
Section 2 as amended is agreed to 314 to 285. The Moderator apologizes for his previous incorrect call.
Section 3 – Motions for new Section 3’s
Motion to “instruct Presbyteries
to observe a moratorium on ordination and inductions which might appear
to prejudice the Special Commission before it reports.” Moderator states that it is probably already agreed to based on the vote for Section 2. Allows seconder to speak about how the Kirk now needs time and how the liberal side, which he is on, needs time to wait and maybe be uncomfortable.
While the Moderator acknowledged that this was already agreed to, he did call for a vote on this as a sign of support. It was agreed to overwhelmingly.
New motion: For the avoidance of doubt, affirm that the provision of this whole
motion shall in no way be interpreted as offering grounds for
challenging the decision in the referred case Aitken and others against
the decision of the Presbytery of Aberdeen.
6:38 – The motion is approved
New motion to clarify other Assembly committees that may work during the discussion period. Agreed to.
The Moderator declares the motion agreed to. A commissioner protests that there was no vote on the whole motion. The Moderator say that all the sections were agreed to but “for the avoidance of doubt” he calls for the Assembly vote.
6:46 – The Assembly turns to the Overture. There is a request for the Presbytery to withdraw their overture. One of the presbytery commissioners asks for time to consult with all the presbytery commissioners. The Moderator suspends the meeting for 5 minutes.
6:55 – The Presbytery of Lochcarron-Skye agrees to withdraw the overture to a great round of applause.
6:58 – The Assembly adjourns with prayer.
So the Church of Scotland has a Special Commission to work on this for the next two years. Blessings upon all those on the Commission.