MLP General Assembly Legislative Summary, July 6

Pro-LGBT ordination Overture 06-09 from Western Reserve Presbytery On Amending G-6.0106b passed in the Church Orders & Ministry Committee by 36 to 16 with one abstention.

The Civil Unions & Marriage Issues Committee passed a number of different pro-LGBT marriage Overtures:

• An Overtures that amend the language in W-4.9000 from "a man and a woman" to "two persons". See Overture 12-04 (12-02, 12-03, 12-10 were answered by 12-04).
• An Overture that allows Ministers of the Word and Sacrament and Sessions to exercise pastoral discretion in marrying same-sex couples with civil marriage licenses. See Overture 12-06 (12-07, 12-08, 12-09 were answered by 12-06).

The General Assembly Special Committee on the Heidelberg Catechism's overture 16-11 passed in committee. It recommends that the General Assembly appoint the present committee to present a new translation of the Heidelberg Catechism to the 220th General Assembly.

Overture 16-12 from the Special Committee on the Belhar Confession recommending its inclusion of the The Book of Confessions passed in committee.