Committee 10   Health Issues

by Mike Ferguson, Presbyterian News Service

This story is also on the PC(USA) website >>

BIRMINGHAM, June 21 -- By better than a 3-to-1 margin, General Assembly commissioners on Wednesday night approved an overture from the Health Issues committee on late-term pregnancies that affirms the lives of viable unborn babies.

"We look to our churches to provide pastoral and tangible support to women in problem pregnancies and to surround these families with a community of care," the overture from the Presbytery of Redstone states.

"If a baby can live outside the womb, she should live," said the Rev. Donna Marsh of National Capital Presbytery, a committee member. Marsh inserted an amendment, which the Assembly approved, adding language to the overture from the 2003 General Assembly that states that "for any choice, we are accountable to God; however, even when we err, God offers to forgive us."

But the Rev. Anne Conroy of New York City Presbytery said the proposal "will only serve to make those who do have to make (a decision to end a late-term pregnancy) feel shamed and judged. I think it's a huge mistake."

Elder Carla Shafer of North Puget Sound Presbytery also argued against the proposal, asserting that God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a child, and an angel told Mary she should keep her child. "God is saying we have a choice, and we're asking the PC(USA) to affirm that choice," she said.

As the committee recommended, the Assembly turned down an overture from Beaver Butler Presbytery that would have ceased funding for any group that advocates either for or against abortion.

"The committee felt the language was confusing and misleading in regard to our use of funds," said Health Issues committee Moderator Carol Schneider of The James Presbytery.

A third abortion overture, this one recommending that presbyteries replicate a study and discernment process initiated by the Presbytery of Mississippi, by which it "stands clearly against the practice of abortion," was approved. The process replaces the overture that would have had the church opposing abortion with a few exceptions.

A fourth, on approving a monitoring report on the implementation of problem pregnancies and abortion policies, won approval. "It is the desire of the committee that policies of the church concerning problem pregnancies and abortion be more clearly communicated to the public and to our church members," Schneider said.

"Living into the Body of Christ: Towards Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities" passed with only nine dissenting votes. "I've had a disability since birth," said Youth Advisory Delegate Miguel Carlin of Cincinnati Presbytery. "I hope (those at) General Assembly will go back to their congregations and talk about the issues so that the committee's work is not in vain."

Commentary

A backgrounder on the abortion issue, and the three overtures dealing with it, is provided by Presbyterian News Service.

For information on the PC(USA) position on abortion and other questions, go to the web site of Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options (PARO).

The site offers a brief statement on theological principles in considering reproductive options

There are also links for ordering a variety of print resources.

The committee leaders include: moderator: M; vice-moderator: V; committee assistant: A; parliamentarian/recorder: P.

Leadership:  Elder Carol Schneider, The James, M; the Rev. Quinn Fox, Pueblo, V; the Rev. Ruben Armendariz, Mission, A; the Rev. Ken Hockenberry, Mid-Kentucky, P

Elder Ruben Armendariz, New Covenant
Rev. William Arnold , Philadelphia
Rev. Ken Baker, San Fernando
Elder Jean Behnke, Tampa Bay
YAD Michael Belvin, Santa Fe
Elder Reid Beveridge, New Castle
YAD Laura Burns, Northeast Georgia
Rev. Brad Carloss, Northern Waters
Rev. Karen Chakoian, Scioto Valley
Elder Elizabeth Crews, San Diego
YAD Jonathan Davis, Western Kentucky
Elder Betty Dodson, Southeastern Illinois
Rev. Steve Dyer, Pines
Elder Sophia Earhart, Redstone
Rev. Carl Engstrom, San Francisco
Rev. Richard Fennig, Plains and Peaks
Rev. Quinn Fox, Pueblo (Vice-Moderator)
Elder Debbie Freshcorn, Shenango
YAD Leslie Fuller, Charlotte
Rev. Catherine Gillis, Pittsburgh
Rev. Leigh Gillis, New Hope
Rev. Joan Gray, Greater Atlanta
Rev. John C. Hall, Northern New York
Rev. Jesse Hegler, Providence
Rev. Jean Holmes, Newton
Elder John Hulsebus, Sacramento
Elder Sheila Jameson, Transylvania
YAD Andrew Jenkins, Sheppards and Lapsley
TSAD Tracy Julian, Arkansas
Elder Fred Kelly, Grace
YAD Sara Kidd, The Peaks
YAD Katy Launius, Milwaukee
Elder Diana Lim, San Jose
Rev. Donna Marsh, National Capital
YAD Joshua Martinez, Sierra Blanca
Elder Ann McLeod, South Alabama
YAD Kayce Mobley, Savannah
Elder Paul Monahan, Wabash Valley
YAD Kevin Moreaux, New York City
MAD Cynthia Morgan
Rev. Barbara Morrison, Muskingum Valley
YAD Megan Phillips, Seattle
Rev. Charles Pye, Ohio Valley
TSAD Brady Radford, Middle Tennessee
Rev. Mary Rogers-Ellsworth, Palo Duro
Elder Mary Beth Ruthem, Upper Ohio Valley
Elder Carol Schneider, The James (Moderator)
Elder Sharon Smiley, Salem
Elder Lyle Steinmehl, The Pacific
YAD Mark Tapia, Santa Barbara
YAD Michelle Takyi, Newark
Rev. Glen Thorp, San Gabriel
Elder Fred Vogt, Northern New England
Elder Larry Wagner, St. Augustine
Elder Edna Wigfall Crute', Mission
Rev. Kathleen Wiggins, Peace River
Rev. William J. Younger, Northumberland
Elder Charles Youther, Miami
Not Assigned, San Joaquin YAD