PARTNERSHIP GRANT APPLICATION
TO THE COUNCIL ON
PROJECT TO BE FUNDED: A one
day event entitled, "Open to Dissent: A History and a Calling," to
provide a forum for learning and discussion of the rich history of dissent, discussion,
dialogue and debate within the Presbyterian Church.
TO THE COUNCIL ON
AMOUNT OF REQUEST: $2,000
CONTACT PERSONS: Joan Marino Laurie
McNeill
Christian Education
Committee Pastor
Chair of Adult
Education
AFFILIATION Setauket PC Glenwood
Presbyterian Church
ADDRESSES
Stony
PHONE 631‑751‑5918 516‑676‑4138
LIST ALL PARTNERS AND OR
GROUPS INVOLVED The sessions of the Presbyterian Churches of Center Moriches,
Port Jefferson,
This project will educate and
reacquaint our membership and leaders with the historic role of dissent and
individual conscience as a mechanism for growth and discernment throughout
Presbyterian history. The keynote speaker, William Chapman, author of History
and Theology in the Book of Order: Blood on Every Page, will provide an
historical context for understanding dissent as an important component in the
process of discernment. Three seminar/workshops will then illustrate issues in
the church over which there is current disagreement and dissent: war and peace;
Christology and the reformed tradition; human sexuality and ordination.
As Americans, as Long Islanders, we all became victims of
the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In the aftermath, we felt as one. We mourned as
one. We prayed as one. We spoke with one voice. Patriotism, compassion, reason
and faith blended together as Americans redefined our identity in the world. Our
unity salved the wounds of a distraught people, as we struggled through the
interminable period of rescue and recovery. We eagerly exchanged our liberties
for security, and many of us lost the ability to disagree about important
issues. The comfort of unity under fire left no room for dissent. With
Also of critical importance
to our denomination is the continued concern by some of our membership that we
may not share a common theological basis. There have been numerous attempts to
deal with this by our General Assemblies, including the formation of the Peace,
Unity and Purity Task Force, and the distribution of the well publicized
"Hope in The Lord Jesus Christ" statement and study guide. The
resolution of this issue is of crucial importance to our denomination, yet most
of our membership are unaware of it. Anna Case‑Winters,
moderator of the GA committee that originated the "Hope" paper, will
speak on the issues of dissent that continue to fuel this controversy.
Our understanding of human
sexuality and the continued controversy surrounding the ordination of sexual
minorities has become a "lightning rod" for other theological and
social issues. Implications range across the spectrum of such disparate
concerns as discrimination and social justice, secular morality, and the
appropriate methods for the exegesis of scripture. Thus, the PC(USA)
has consistently and uniformly condemned homophobic hate crimes. Attempts to
ban same sex unions in our denomination have not been successful. However,
efforts to reverse the changes in ordination imposed by G6.0106b, the Chastity
and Fidelity Amendment, have likewise failed. In the end, the Presbyterian
Church (USA) still struggles to define what is acceptable and what is necessary
when ministering to sexual minorities. The lives and calling of many faithful
Presbyterians continue to be disputed. Sylvia Thorsen‑Smith,
co‑author of an upcoming book on human sexuality, will speak on this
issue of dissent in our denomination.
Following these educational
presentations, there will be a period of discussion and commentary for all
participants attending the event. We will unite in a worship service led by
Barbara Lundblad at the conclusion of the day.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM: The membership of the partner congregations will contribute time,
money and effort to organize, prepare and run the event. There are ample
volunteers to make this an exciting, successful, and rewarding event for all.
Old First,
Expenses and Support
$ 2500. Honoraria (5 speakers x $500)
$ 1500. Travel expenses
$ 300. Postage
$ 250. Old First
expenses (custodian, organist)
$ 4500. TOTAL
In house‑lunch
available for $5.00
Request $2,000. from Peacemaking Funds
$ 125. from 9 partner churches
=$1,125.
$ 1,500. from Synod
$4625. TOTAL
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The
program will consist of a keynote address, three seminars/workshops, lunch and
a service of worship. The keynote speaker, William Chapman, will place the
topic of dissent into a historical context in the PC(USA).
The seminars/workshops promise to be informative and motivating. The speakers
are highly regarded contributors to the topic on which they will speak. Doug
Bartlett, a noted peace advocate, will speak of the politics of war. Anna Case‑Winters,
moderator of the GA committee that originated the "Hope" paper, will
speak on theology and Christology. Sylvia Thorsen‑Smith,
co‑author with Marv Ellison of an upcoming book
on the subject , Body and Soul: Justice‑Lovers
Rethink Sexuality, will speak on human sexuality. The service of worship is
planned to be healing and hopeful. Barbara Lundblad,
associate professor of Homiletics at Union Theological Seminary and author of
several books, will deliver the sermon.
Since the main topic is the
role of dissent, each seminar/workshop will include a period for discussion and
comment. The organizers of the event were concerned that most attendees would
be extremely interested in attending most or all of the workshops and in
contributing to the discussions following them. For this reason, the
seminar/workshops will be conducted sequentially, rather than simultaneously,
to provide the greatest opportunity for attendees to hear and respond to each
of the seminar topics. Fellowship during the lunch break will also provide the
opportunity for informal discussions.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE
EVENT: We expect to provide an event for
the members and leaders of the presbytery which will educate attendees in the
rich history of dissent in the PC(
DATE OF EVENT:
WHEN, AND HOW, AND WHO WILL
EVALUATE THIS PROGRAM?: We will distribute and collect questionnaires
at the event. Each of the partner churches will also be responsible for
submitting a summary statement from a meeting of their own attendees following
the event.
WHAT OTHER WAYS (IN ADDITION
TO FUNDING) MAY THE PRESBYTERY BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROGRAM (I.E. PUBLICITY, PERSONS,
MATERIALS, COMMUNICATIONS? It is hoped that presbytery will help publicize the
event, in order to facilitate attendance by members and leaders of all
congregations.
IF THIS REQUEST IS GRANTED,
TO WHOM, AND UNDER WHAT NAME AND ADDRESS SHALL THE GRANT BE SENT?
SIGNATURE
OF
APPLICANTS_________________________________________________________________
DATE
SUBMITTED___________________________
HAVE
YOU APPLIED TO ANOTHER COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE?
WHERE? WHEN?
DATE
RECEIVED_____________
ACTION
TAKEN______________
PROJECT TO BE FUNDED: A one day event entitled, “Open to Dissent: A History and a Calling”, to provide a forum focusing on the rich history of dissent, discussion, dialogue and debate within the Presbyterian Church.
1. IDENTIFICATION:
Name of originator: a group named Honoring All Voices (HAV), composed of 10 churches in the Presbytery of Long Island
Joan Marino, Setauket PC Robert Baum, Old South Haven PC
Stony
631-751-5918 631-286-7454
chezchats@fnol.net 2trees@optonline.net
2. WRITTEN PRESBYTERY ENDORSEMENT
a. This information is forthcoming for the following reasons:
Mission Council meets on March 4,
Presbytery Council meets on March 12
We have asked for letters of verification from each and will send them on to you
b. The proposal was reviewed by the Presbytery’s Peace, Justice and Hunger Workgroup, which voted to allocate $2,000. of Peacemaking Funds and which will interpret the proposal for the benefit of Presbytery.
c. The Peace Justice and Hunger Workgroup will review the progress of the planning of the event and will evaluate the event at its conclusion.
3. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
Our partnership, Honoring All Voices, respectfully requests
a grant of $1500. to help in the funding of a one day
event entitled “Open to Dissent: a History and a Calling”. This project is
designed to educate and reacquaint our membership and leaders with the historic
role of dissent and individual conscience as a mechanism for growth and
discernment throughout Presbyterian history. Our keynote speaker, William
Chapman, author of History and Theology in the Book of Order: Blood on
Every Page, will provide an historical context for understanding
this tradition in his address entitled “Nuanced Controversy: Dissent and Its
Cousins” Three seminar/workshops will then illustrate issues in the church over
which there is current disagreement and dissent: war and peace; Christology and
the reformed tradition; human sexuality and ordination. A service of worship is
planned at the conclusion of the day to unite congregants in prayer and
meditation.
As Americans, we all became victims of the terrorist attacks
of 9/11. In the aftermath, we spoke with one voice. Patriotism, compassion,
reason, and faith blended together as Americans redefined our identity in the
world. The comfort of unity under fire left no room for dissent. With
Of critical importance to our denomination is the continued concern of some of our membership that we do not share a common theological basis for our faith. There have been numerous attempts to deal with this issue, most recently by our General Assembly’s publication of the “Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ” statement and study guide, as well as formation of the Peace Unity and Purity Task Force. The resolution of these issues is of crucial importance to our denomination, yet most of our membership are unaware of it. Anna Case-Winters, moderator of the GA committee that originated the “Hope” paper, will speak on the issues of dissent that continue to fuel this controversy.
Our understanding of human sexuality and the continued controversy surrounding the ordination of sexual minorities has become a “lightening rod” for other theological and social issues, such as discrimination and social justice, secular morality and the appropriate methods for the exegesis of scripture. The PC(USA) has uniformly condemned homophobic hate crimes. Attempts to ban same sex unions in our denomination haven not been successful. However, efforts to reverse G6.0106b, the Chastity and Fidelity Amendment, have likewise failed. In the end, the PC(USA) still struggles to define what is acceptable and what is necessary when ministering to sexual minorities. The lives and calling of many faithful Presbyterians continue to be disputed. Sylvia Thorson-Smith, author of “Reconciling the Broken Silence” and “Called Out With: Stories of Solidarity”, will speak on this issue of dissent in our denomination.
Following these educational presentations, there will be a period of discussion and commentary for all participants attending the event. At the conclusion of the day, we will unite in a worship service in which Barbara Lundblad, associate professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary, will deliver the sermon.
Funds from ten Long
This is a new proposal for a one-time, non-renewable grant
related to peacemaking. The event will take place on
5. PROPOSAL BENEFITS
a. We were all, as a nation, victims of the terrorist
attacks of 9/11, and we understandably remain reluctant to express dissent, both
out of uncertainty and out of concern for our neighbors. We are aware of the
hostility that sometimes arises when diverse opinions are expressed, particularly
when it is perceived as being aimed at our nation or our church. This event
will provide an opportunity for participants to recognize and remember that
dissent is both normal and necessary for growth and discernment, be it
ecclesiastical or political. It will thereby provide an opportunity to
celebrate our faith and the diversity of thought and conscience that makes up
the PC(USA) and the
b. The long-term benefits of this event will be a consequence of our providing a mechanism for dissenting voices to be heard. If attendees understand that dissent is normal and necessary, and feel that their own voices will be heard and respected, they will be become more active in the life of the church. A diverse church, able to sustain a healthy dialogue of dissenting views, will more effectively provide a hopeful and forward-looking ministry in Christ.
6. MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION
The following ten churches have worked together to plan this
event. They include the Presbyterian churches of Center Moriches, Glenwood
Landing,
Our Presbytery’s Peace Justice and Hunger Workgroup has always been committed to doing Christ’s work. They have been very supportive of our vision and have joined in the leadership of this event. They will continue to work with HAV and oversee our proposed projects or events in the future.
7/8. PROJECT BUDGET
Financial resources
10 partner churches donate $125. each $1250
Presbytery’s Peace, Justice and Hunger Workgroup $2000
Synod Peacemaking Fund $1500
Total $4750
Proposed expenses
Honoraria (5 speakers X $500) $2500
Travel $1500
Postage and publicity $ 500
Old First services (organist and custodian) $ 250
Total $4750
Partner churches have written letters of commitment to
donate funds ($125 each) and workers. A sub-account, named The HAV Account, has
been established by the
The Peace, Justice and Hunger Workgroup voted formally to donate the amount of $2,000. at it’s January meeting.
9. DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
This event is scheduled to take place on
10. PROJECT EVALUATION
Prior to the event, HAV is seeking approval for the use of
Peacemaking funds from Mission Council on
We plan to distribute and collect evaluation questionnaires at the event. Each of the HAV partners will be responsible for submitting a summary statement from a meeting of their own attendees. The Presbytery’s Peace Justice and Hunger Workgroup will also evaluate the event at their May meeting.
11. APPLICANT’S ORGANIZATION
HAV (Honoring All Voices) is a new, loosely formed group of ten churches in our Presbytery, who have joined together to plan this event. At first, we met informally because of our concern that our national church and our country seemed to have lost the capacity for, or tolerance of, effective dissent. Questioning voices have been routinely silenced and criticized by majority opinion. We wanted to once again work toward making the church a safe place to express dissent and individual conscience. This event is the result of our shared vision.
12. FOLLOW UPS
We plan to tape our speakers and record the event through
photos and possible videotaping. We will invite the press to attend and report
our event to the