Largest Presbyterian Church in Arkansas Elects Gay Deacon
“Little Rock’s Second Presbyterian Church, which has 1,700 members, elected a slate of a dozen adult deacons, including openly gay member Michael Upson.
The candidates ran unopposed and the slate was approved by voice vote. Only a smattering of “no” votes was heard, and the outcome was greeted with some applause. Second Presbyterian’s senior pastor, the Rev. Stephen Hancock, said he wasn’t surprised by the way his congregation handled the issue. “They did it the way I anticipated they would, I think, with thoughtfulness and care and respect for each other,” Hancock said. The vote comes one day after the Presbytery of Arkansas voted to remove restrictions on homosexual ordination from the national church’s Book of Order.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]
Thought I’m not religious, that is great news. If only we could get Westboro Baptist to follow through (I’m sure there are plenty of closeted people up in THAT mug)
Doesn’t it seem like there are quite a few democrats in the state of Arkansas? Unfortunately they are racist democrats like their cousins over in West Virginia.
I used to participate in living Nativity scenes at that church when I was a kid!
Lots of memories. Very cool news.
Surprising that the first was in Arkansas, of all places… and I believe this is the first time I’ve seen a “Second _____ Church.” Everywhere else I’ve seen, the first calls itself “First” and all others name themselves some other way.