Gay seminary professor has ordination restored

[andrewlittle]

Dr Paul Capetz is claimed by many to be a remarkable teacher, a visionary leader and a wonderful human being. I never had him as a professor while at United, but I had other opportunities to meet and listen to this gifted educator.

After many years, he has been vindicated in his own presbytery.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area voted Jan. 26 to restore the ordination of Paul Capetz, an openly gay man, as minister of word and sacrament.

Capetz had laid aside his ordination in 2000 in response to the 1997 addition of G-6.0106b to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Book of Order. The section requires ordained church officers to practice “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and woman or chastity in singleness.”

Full story: http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2008/08063.htm

Amen, and Amen, and Amen.

[Daniel]

Great news indeed!

[BruceChris]

Somehow I don't think that you guys realize that that is commonplace behavior in these Twin Cities. That is the way we DO things around here, have for years.

There was a lesbian Lutheran pastor who came out a few years ago, and the council of bishops (or whatever their equivalent is) told her home church that they would have to get rid of her. Her church said "No Way", and made it stick. She's still there.

We have another church with a trans clergyperson on it's staff.

My own home church, Spirit of the Lakes UCC, is a very wonderful place.

http://e.my.yahoo.com/config/set_bookmark

I can't seem to explain quite how this is happening, but although we started out as a LGBT church, sometimes we are positively overrun with ordained ministers, and STRAIGHT PEOPLE !! They seem to think we're a pretty good bunch to hang with.

We're even home to the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities. I guess there just didn't seem to be any place for them over at the basilica.

And on Pride weekend, it's just awesome to see all of the otherwise straight churches with floats entered in our Pride parade, trying to entice some of our gay community to join them.

Peace, Love, and Rock and Roll, Bruce Chris

[Kris Johnson]

Bruce has a point- the TC area has a active vocal glbt community. Thanks to people like Anita Hill (St. Paul Reformation) and Jay Wiesner (Bethany Lutheran- Jay also runs The Naming Project for glbt youth and his youth camp for them has been made into the movie Camp Out) -with congregations who choose to follow the way of Christ rather than the policies of church bodies, there are an increasing number of places of worship of all denominations for our glbt sisters and brothers. (sorry for the run-on, there)

While there are still many places where darkness fills minds and hearts - just like anywhere else- Mpls-St.Paul are becoming more openly welcoming and affirming. I'm not surprised to hear about this decision to reinstate Paul at all, but very happy for him. It may not be the end of the discussion- for Paul or anyone else affected,unfortunately- but it is the continuation of the change we are all praying for.

Kris