Pittsburgh Presbyterian Minister Under Scrutiny For Performing Same-Sex Marriage

Pittsburgh Presbytery is investigating one of its ministers, a descendant of a legendary Puritan theologian, for officiating at a same-sex union last year.
 
The Rev. Janet Edwards, 55, came under presbytery scrutiny last August after she married Brenda Cole, 52, and Nancy McConn, 65, who live near Wheeling, WV.
McConn is a lifelong Presbyterian and longtime member of Dallas Presbyterian Church in Dallas, WV. Cole was raised Methodist but now is a practicing Buddhist.

Edwards acknowledged that she married the women in a Pittsburgh-area ceremony on June 25, 2005. She said the rite was called a “wedding” and integrated the couple’s Buddhist and Christian traditions.

Edwards said she doesn't think she violated her ordination vows of the Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Book of Order by performing the same-sex union.

 “Marriage is a sacred union between people who are committed to each other, without regard to gender,” said Edwards, who advocates the full inclusion of gay persons in the Pittsburgh Presbytery, which serves 156 congregations in Allegheny County.

Edwards said she’s scheduled to meet with the presbytery’s investigative committee on March 29 to discuss the accusations.

In the meantime, no charges have been filed and no church trial date has been set.

 “It’s an investigative committee at this point,” said the Rev. Daniel Merry, acting pastor and head of staff at Pittsburgh Presbytery. “They have up to one year to report. This August is the one-year anniversary.”

Merry, who said the investigative committee is “moving at a cautious rate,” said he was aware of plans for the panel to meet with Edwards and her accusers, but did not know when.
 
 
 
 
The PC(USA) is among several Protestant denominations embroiled in a bitter debate over what roles gay people should be permitted to play.

The Book of Order (W-4.9001) states that marriage is and can only be a covenant between a man and a woman

The highest Presbyterian court — the Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly — ruled in 2000 that ministers may bless same-sex unions, but cannot confuse or equate them with marriage.

If Edwards’ case makes it to church court, it would go before a Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of Pittsburgh Presbytery. She could face anything from a rebuke to being removed from the ministry.

FULL STORY at http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2006/06170.htm