Presbyterians!

A few years ago (summer of 2008?) the Presbyterian Church (USA) held a General Assembly and as part of their work voted to allow gay clergy. The change had to then be approved by each of the 173 Presbyteries (regions) of the denomination. The majority of the regions did not approve it.

In 2010 the national General Assembly tried again. The regions began voting earlier this year. This time 19 of them who had voted no last time changed their vote. Yesterday, The region including Minneapolis and St. Paul approved (by a wide 205 to 56!) allowing gay clergy. They became the 87th region to do so. The proposal passed and the ban will disappear.

Back at the end of March I wrote about Murray Richmond, a Presbyterian pastor who, over his pastorial career of 17 years changed his mind about homosexuality. To mark yesterday's vote Richmond told his tale on the NPR program The Story. His segment is the last 20 minutes of the show. There is a listening link at the bottom of the show's page.

The denomination's work isn't done. They don't yet allow officiating at gay marriages.