WHEREAS the Presbyterian Church in Canada has long devoted time and resources to studying and debating the matter of LGBTQI sexuality diverting energy away from other important issues; and
WHEREAS the debate on this one issue has revealed a larger theological division within the P.C.C., as is evident in the report from the 2019 General Assembly’s “Special Committee Regarding Implications of Option B (Inclusion)” which read in part, “In truth we differ theologically on many things; the role of scripture, the virgin birth, the resurrection, the place of children, of women and the priorities of the church…”; and
WHEREAS many serious attempts to resolve these divisions have failed to do so as is evident from deep pain being expressed on both sides; and
WHEREAS the smooth functioning of our courts require collegial relationships between members; and
WHEREAS any outcome of Remits B and C (GA 2019) after the 2020 General Assembly will not reconcile the two unbridgeable theological views regarding the basis of authority, resulting in courts prone to conflict; and
WHEREAS it appears that Remits B and C, as adopted at the 145th General Assembly, were intended to provide an inclusive framework to bridge these differences, but for many in our denomination do not effectively do so; and
WHEREAS a change in doctrine may lead to members abandoning their church, thereby reducing the viability of many congregations; and
WHEREAS Remits B and C (GA 2019) do not safeguard civil and ecclesiastical liability for members holding to the traditional view; and
WHEREAS every member of the P.C.C. desires a place to stand with integrity within our own denomination; and
WHEREAS the P.C.C. already has geographically overlapping presbyteries,
THEREFORE the Session of St. Edward’s Presbyterian Church Beauharnois, does humbly overture the 2021 General Assembly to mandate the formation of overlapping, theologically based, presbyteries and synods, allowing sessions to choose which courts their congregations would affiliate with, or to do otherwise as the General Assembly in its wisdom may deem best.