Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 3, 1995                   TAG: 9506060008
SECTION: RELIGION                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

A measure that would flatly prohibit Presbyterian ministers from "participating" in same-sex union ceremonies was recently defeated when it did not gather the necessary number of affirmative votes from the church's presbyteries. A denominational press service said a proposed amendment to the Book of Order would have stated, "therefore, it is not permitted for ministers to participate in the blessing of any same-sex union."

In order for the measure to pass, it had to be approved by a majority of the denomination's 171 presbyteries, regional governing bodies of the church. Current policy, adopted in 1991 by the national General Assembly, states that church governing boards should not allow the use of their churches nor should the minister agree to perform a ceremony for people of the same sex who regard the service as a wedding. Failure of enough presbyteries to condemn the practice leaves the issue in the dominant wing of the Presbyterian church open to more flexibility.

Ecumenism proposal could be OK'd

Cooperation of several major American denominations on the top levels moved closer with an affirmative vote from the United Methodist Church's Council of Bishops to continue to support the Consultation on Church Union (COCU). United Methodism is the largest of the nine denominations involved in the plan, which has been under study for 30 years. Now called the Church of Christ Uniting, the proposal has a goal of member churches recognizing one another's ordained ministry as equals, envisions the sharing of sacraments across denominational lines and anticipates national, regional and local sharing of activities. Though COCU was once thought to be promoting full merger of the groups, this is no longer being considered.

Episcopal service group changes name

The Appalachian People's Service Organization, known as APSO since its organization 30 years ago, has now become Episcopal Appalachian Ministries to more closely reflect the ministry being done. The action was taken at a recent meeting of the board of governors. The agency is one of a coalition of 15 denominations that assists congregations and groups in the low-income mountain area.