c. 1997 Religion News Service

UNDATED _ The Presbyterian Church (USA), internally fractured over the role of gays and lesbians in the ministry, has nevertheless reached out the hand of unity and reconciliation to Lutherans and two other denominations in its own Reformed tradition.

By a 489-38 vote, commissioners, or delegates, to the 209th General Assembly approved”A Formula of Agreement,”a pact that would establish”full communion”between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Reformed Church in America and the United Church of Christ.

More closely, but still decisively, the commissioners voted 387-145 to remain part of the Consultation on Church Union (COCU), the effort by nine Protestant churches to forge closer bonds by establishing a”covenant communion”of churches.

The COCU vote came despite the overwhelming rejection this spring by presbyteries, or local jurisdictions, of amendments to the church’s Book of Order to implement COCU’s”covenanting”proposals.

Approval of the Lutheran-Reformed agreement culminates official theological talks between Lutherans and churches in the Reformed tradition that stretch back to 1962.

The PCUSA is the second of the four denominations to approve the agreement. Earlier this week, the Reformed Church in America, meeting in Milwaukee, also voted overwhelmingly in favor of the agreement. The United Church of Christ will vote on the measure in early July and the ELCA in mid-August.

Under the terms of the agreement, the four churches will:

_ Recognize each other as churches”in which the gospel is rightly preached and the sacraments rightly administered according to the Word of God.” _ Withdraw any historic condemnation by one side or the other as inappropriate for the life and faith of the churches today.

_ Continue to recognize each other’s baptisms and encourage the sharing of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) among the members.

_ Make provision for the orderly exchange of ordained ministers.”I am heartened by the action of the Presbyterian Church (USA) … approving the `Formula of Agreement,'”the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said in a statement after the vote.”I am thankful to the PCUSA for its invitation to us to join in full communion. A closer relationship presents exciting possibilities for enhancing the ministry we do in Jesus’ name.” The action came a day before delegates began yet another effort to see if they could find common ground on the internally schismatic issue of sexuality and the role of gays and lesbians in ordained offices of the church.

On Friday (June 20), debate began on a proposal to the church’s Book of Order _ its rule book _ that would significantly alter if not neutralize Amendment B, the so-called”fidelity and chastity”amendment, handily adopted by the denomination’s presbyteries this spring.

The amendment requires church officers to live”in fidelity within the covenant of marriage”of a man and woman or”chastity in singleness.” The proposal would require church officers _ ordained elders, deacons and ministers _ to”demonstrate fidelity and integrity in marriage or singleness, and in all relationships of life.” Although Amendment B applies to both heterosexuals and homosexuals, it is widely viewed by opponents as an effort to bar non-celibate gays from the ministry.

The passage of the amendment has sharply divided the church and a small but growing number of congregations and presbyteries have announced they will defy it. They argue that although the amendment was ratified by the presbyteries 97-74-1, it garned just 50.6 percent of the total votes counted in the presbyteries.”This proposed amendment is an interim step _ it may not be `common ground’ but at least it is a demilitarized zone that may lead to holy ground,”said the Rev. John Lohr of Palisades Presbytery, a supporter of the new proposal.

MJP END ANDERSON