TO DONATE:

• You can participate financially in the “Normal, Expensive, Legal Presbyterian Life.” All contributions are tax‐deductible.

Write your check to“CPC—Denominational Relations” with “Legal Fund—Complaint” on the memo line.

Mail to: Community Presbyterian Church
attn: Myra Samson
222 W. El Pintado Road
Danville, CA 94526

We are grateful for your share in this effort!

• You can reach the legal team by emailing Mary.Naegeli@gmail.com

PCUSA Ordination Standards Bulletin – Session

Summary
Parnell v. San Francisco Presbytery
- Case could provide definitive guidance whether it is ever proper for an ordaining body to waive mandatory ordination requirements.
- Trial date is not set, but probably between August and November 2010
- Specifically, the case could decide whether G-6.0106b is a mandatory standard that cannot be waived.

Background:
- In November 2009, Presbytery of San Francisco considered the departure statement of clergy candidate, Lisa Larges.
- Ms. Larges is a self-identified lesbian, who is currently the director of That All May Freely Serve, an activist group in favor of gay ordination.
- Ms. Larges declared that she would neither enforce nor comply with Book of Order section G-6.0106b, the mandatory “fidelity/chastity” ordination requirement. She called it “a mar on the church and a stumbling block to its mission.”
- G-6.0106b: “Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity with the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.”
- By a close vote the presbytery determined that Ms. Larges’ departure was not from “an essential of Reformed faith and polity” and therefore did not disqualify her from ordained service.
- The result of the vote was challenged by a remedial complaint to the Synod of the Pacific, which has also issued a Stay of Enforcement (Ms. Larges cannot be ordained until the legal process is complete.)

How can you help:
- Use the Bulletin insert provided, or one of your own, to inform your congregation.
- Pray, and encourage your congregation to pray:
That the Synod and GA-PJCs will boldly declare the clear mandate of Scripture, the Confessions, and the Book of Order and hold that mandatory standards such as G-6.0106b cannot be waived by ordaining bodies.
That the candidate removed from the roll of candidates—23 years is more than enough!
- Complainants need to raise $40,000 to pay for the expense of trial through the appeal.

Naegeli v. San Francisco Presbytery
- Case could provide definitive guidance whether it is ever proper for an ordaining body to waive mandatory ordination requirements.
- Appeal from decision of the Synod of the Pacific scheduled to be heard on October 30, 2009, with a decision expected that same week.
- Specifically, the case could decide whether G-6.0106b is a mandatory standard that cannot be waived.