Statement
by the Presbyterian Coalition Board
on the Redwoods Decision
In a decision stunning for its disregard of Presbyterian constitutional law, the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr was exonerated by a church court of charges that she conducted at least two same-sex wedding ceremonies in violation of the Book of Order. Spahr frankly admitted that she had indeed performed these ceremonies as same-sex weddings, yet the Redwoods Presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) acquitted her. The written verdict was based on constitutional interpretations that are clearly erroneous, both legally and theologically (http://www.revjanespahr.org/trial/decision.pdf). If left uncorrected, this decision will become yet another signpost of the dissolution of constitutional order in the PC(USA).
Although the Redwoods decision itself is problematical, the Presbyterian Coalition Board regards it as a precursor of what would surely and pervasively follow if Recommendation 5 of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (PUP) report is approved as proposed. The ruling shows that the General Assembly and General Assembly’s Permanent Judicial Commission will be utterly powerless to demand compliance with any provision of the Constitution if Recommendation 5 passes. A session or presbytery could evade any decision by dismissing it as “not essential” without fear of judicial correction.
The charges in the Spahr case were based on the Book of Order statement that “In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith” (W-4.9001). The Redwoods PJC dismissed this statement as being only a definition, not a requirement. This PJC also summarily dismissed the precedent-setting decision of the GAPJC in Benton et al. v. Hudson River Presbytery. In that landmark case, the GAPJC confirmed the Authoritative Interpretation of W-4.9001 by the 1991 General Assembly. The Benton decision stated that “If a same-sex ceremony were considered to be the equivalent of a marriage ceremony between two persons of the same sex, it would not be sanctioned under the Book of Order.”
The PC(USA) has clearly articulated the understanding of marriage taught by our Lord through the witness of Holy Scripture, that marriage is an exclusive, life-long commitment made between a man and a woman. The Scots Confession warns against replacing Scripture with merely human authority: “We dare not receive or admit any interpretation which is contrary to any principal point of our faith, or to any other plain text of Scripture, or to the rule of love.” (Book of Confessions 3.18). The Barmen Declaration likewise warns that the very life of the Church is threatened (Book of Confessions 8.07-8.08) if the Church abandons its message and order to conform to “changes in prevailing ideological and political convictions.” (Book of Confessions 8.18).
Redwoods PJC’s claims that the “performance of same-sex marriages [is only] a matter of propriety” and that “conscience takes precedence over propriety” are contrary to this witness of Scripture and therefore an offense against the church. No parsing of language or legal sophistry can obscure the intellectual dishonesty that pervades the Redwoods decision.
The Redwoods PJC presumes in its verdict to nullify the lawful decisions of a higher governing body. We view its action as schismatic and a threat to the very fabric of our constitutional connection. If a presbytery is not held accountable for turning aside the orderly actions of the GA and our highest court, the GAPJC, we are in constitutional chaos. What, then, is the point of a constitution?
We encourage our fellow office bearers, governing bodies and all faithful Presbyterians to join our protest against the error of this decision.
Houston, Texas, March 8, 2006.
The Presbyterian Coalition Board of Directors
Rev. Jerry Andrews, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn, IL
Rev. Don Baird, pastor, Fremont Presbyterian Church, Sacramento, CA
Rev. Peter Barnes, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Boulder, CO
Rev. Anita Bell, pastor, Oreland, PA
Rev. Jim Berkley, Interim Director, Presbyterian Action for Faith and Freedom
Elder John Boone, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN
Elder Jim Cahalan, Edmond OK
Rev. John Crosby, pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church of Edina, Edina, MN
Elder Nancy Scott Cross, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Rev. Sue Cyre, Executive Director, Presbyterians for Faith, Family & Ministry
Elder Gordon Fish, Grace Presbyterian Church, Upper Montclair, NJ
Robert Gagnon, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA
Rev. John Huffman, pastor, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, CA
Rev. G. David Lambertson, Executive Presbyter, Central Washington Presbytery
Rev. Kari McClellan, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, Levittown, PA
Rev. David McKechnie, pastor, honorably retired, Houston, TX
Rev. Mary Holder Naegeli, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Concord, Concord, CA
Rev. David Peterson, pastor, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Elder Terry Schlossberg, Executive Director, The Presbyterian Coalition
Rev. Evangeline Taylor, pastor, Unity Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, VA
Rev. Jim Tony, pastor, Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, Palos Park, IL
Rev. Ken Working, Executive Presbyter, Santa Barbara PresbyterySessions who endorse the statement
The Session of Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church, Spring Run, Pennsylvania
The Session of Edna Presbyterian Church, Edna, Texas
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, Levittown, Pennsylvania
The Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mobile, Alabama
The Session of the Arcadia Presbyterian Church, Arcadia, California
The Session of Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, Albany, Texas
The session of Beulah Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Session of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Grandview Washington
The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The Session of Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, Oklahoma
The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, Ohio
The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Eldorado, Texas
The Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, SC
The Session of Community Presbyterian Church of the Lakes, Lake Hughes, CAPresbyterians who add their names in support
Michael Walker, Executive Director, Presbyterians for Renewal
Sylvia Dooling, Executive Director, Voices of Orthodox Women
Robert Dooling, Moderator, Presbyterian Forum
The Board of the Presbyterian Forum
The Presbyterian Lay Committee
Kristin Johnson, Executive Director, OnebyOne
Marie Bowen, Executive Director Presbyterians Pro-Life, Allison Park, PA
Kevin Pound, Senior Pastor, Mandarin Presbyterian, Jacksonville Florida
The Reverend David Pepper, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View, WY
Rev. Gilbert J. Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., The Knoxville United Church, Pittsburgh, PA
John Erthein, Pastor, Elderton Presbyterian Church, Elderton, PA
Peter J. Sizemore, Elder, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA
Chester J. Easton, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Mineola, NY
Rev. Chip Hatcher, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Hernando, MS
James Kaucher, Elder, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Tucson, Arizona
Daniel Chen, Deacon, Formosan Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas
John W. Potter, Associate Pastor, Formosan Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas
Mark R. Patterson, PhD, Lead Pastor, Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura, CA
Leslie Ooms, Elder, Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, Solvang, CA
Betsy P. Burgett, elder; Renewal Committee, Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, Solvang, CA
Rev. Jon F. Jones, Pastor, New Providence Presbyterian Church, Salvisa, KY
Clemen Viola, Elder, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Monroe Louisiana
Marc Benton, retired clergy in the PC(USA)
Rev. James C. Yearsley, Pastor, Village Presbyterian Church, Tampa, FL
Renee Guth, elder, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Tucson, AZ and member of New Wineskins board
John van Genderen - Elder, Arcadia Presbyterian Church, Arcadia, CA
Rev. O. William Hansen, Presbytery of Riverside, member honorably retired
Kenneth Davis, Member at Large, Presbytery of the James, Clarksville, VA
Tod Gilmore, Elder, Donegal Presbytery, Central PC, Downingtown, PA
Rev. Dr. Joan McKenzie, First Presbyterian, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Will Fletcher, Pastor, Vaughn Presbyterian Church, Bentonville, Arkansas
Rev. Bruce Becker, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Olney, Philadelphia, PA
Mary Freeland Holcomb, elder, St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Dr. Earl A. Bland, Pastor, Morrow Presbyterian Church, Morrow, Georgia
Richard & Marylee Kollehner, Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA
Rev. Dr. James R. Howe, Community Presbyterian Church, Waldport, OR
Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, Pastor, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia
Rev. Cameron S. Smith, Pastor, Appomattox Court House Presbyterian Church, Appomattox, VA
Kevin T. Smith, Elder, New Hanover Presbyterian Church, Mechanicsville VA
Rev. Peter Loughman, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Anchorage, Alaska
Robert Welsh, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Wenatchee, Washington
Pastor Bruce Marten, First Presbyterian Church of Oregon City, Oregon
Priscilla Caine, Elder, Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Signal Mountain Tennessee
The Rev. Dr. Paul R. Smith, West Side Presbyterian Church, Seattle, WA
Carol McClellan, elder, First Central Presbyterian Church Abilene, Texas
Donald S. Ferguson, Elder, Heritage Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, VA
Rev. Larry Turner, Oakmont Presbyterian Church, Hoover, Alabama
Richard E Decker, Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, California
Rev. Dr. D. Wayne Bogue, Hudson Presbyterian Church, Hudson, Ohio
Commissioned Lay Pastor Jim Tomb, Pastor, Fort Palmer Presbyterian Church, Bolivar, Pa
Rev. Edward Snedeker, Pastor, Felton Presbyterian Church, Felton, California
Dr. Gary H. Aven, Pastor, Farner Presbyterian Church, Farner, TN
Robert F. Hinman, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Lenoir, NC
Rev. Dr. Steven Blocher, Lake Tahoe Presbyterian Church, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Daniel C. Reuter, Temporary Supply, Brown County Presbyterian Fellowship, Nashville, IN
Pete Simpson, Bloomington, MN
Donald D. Denton, Jr., Richmond, VA
Spencer Lawrence, pastor, Church ofthe Cross, Hoffman Estates, IL.
Jeremy Grant, Senior Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Omaha, Nebraska
Rev. Leonard Wideman, First Presbyterian Church, Eldorado, Texas
Elder Jasper W. McClellan, Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, Albany, TX
Rev. Steven S. Bryant, First Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg, MS
Rev. William Lee Kinney, First Presbyterian Church of Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR
Corey McLellan, Pastor, Missio Dei NCD, Houston, TX
Paul Leggett, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey
Jim Milborn, FPE - Mid America SIU
The Rev. Harold Shin, Executive Presbyter of Midwest Hanmi Presbytery, retired, and Strategy Planning Committee of the National Korean Presbyterian Council
Lee W. Hahnler, Interim Pastor, The Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro, Waynesboro, PA
Rev. Jeff Winter Interim Pastor, Langhorne Presbyterian Church, Langhorne, PA
Dennis Strong, Deacon and Renewal Committee, Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, Solvang, CA
L. Douglas Coartney, Elder, Eureka Presbyterian Church, Eureka, IL
Elliott Scott, Pastor, Heritage Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Rev. David C. Mauldin, pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mobile, Alabama
Elder Lynne Gochnour, National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.
Lindy Woods, Denominational Relations Comm., First Presbyterian Church, Edmond, OK
Michael Sorocak, Elder, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mobile, Alabama
Tim Olds, Associate Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Albany, GA.
Don Elliott, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Corinth, Mississippi
Rev. Frank W. Webster, Jr., Pastor, Greenbrier Presbyterian Church, Chesapeake, Virginia
Rev. James Conner, Arcadia Presbyterian Church Head of Staff, Arcadia, CA
Rev. Wesley M. Cummins, Associate Pastor, Taiwanese Presbyterian Church of Greater St. Louis
Carl H. Starrett II, Elder, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley, California
Robert Landolt, Elder, Faith Presbyterian Church, West Lafayette, Indiana
Jeff Dalbey, elder, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Dean Murphy, Wichita, KS
Michael R. Warner, elder, Presbyterian Church of Islip, NY
Rev. Dr. David Weyrick, Pastor, Stow Presbyterian Church
Larry Pulliam, Denominational Relations Committee, 1st Presbyterian Church Edmond, Okla
Stephen G. Brown, Director of Presbyterian Lay Committee, Elder Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration, Florida
Alan Trafford, Pastor, First Presbyterian, Lake Jackson, TX
Glenda L. Smith, Elder, Reems Creek Beech Church, Weaverville, N.C.
Dr. Theodore Grant, Pastor, Sherrill's Ford Presbyterian Church, Sherrills Ford, NC
Scott McGregor, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Eldorado, Texas
Rev. Mike Lane, Pastor, Glenview Presbyterian Church, Glenview, IL
Bernadette A. Brown, Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration, Poinciana, FL
J. Philip Blose, elder, Monroe Presbyterian Church, Monroe, OH
Richard Fullner, Elder, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle, WA
Ron Culp, Elder, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Dawson E. Watkins, Deacon, Grace Covenant Presbyterian, Richmond, Virginia
Ray Jones, Elder, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Rev. Eric Laverentz, Senior Pastor, Kirkmont Presbyterian Church, Dayton, OH
Rev. John Allan Watson, Pastor Emeritus, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio
Rev. Tom Jameson, Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, IN
Ronald Everett, John Knox Presbyterian Church, North Olmsted, OH
Rev. Timothy B. Smith, Pastor, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Edith Brooks, Deacon, Dyer Presbyterian Church, Dyer, Indiana
Alan Brooks Elder, Dyer Presbyterian church, Dyer, Indiana
Matthews Brown, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Eldorado
Pete Mirakian, Elder, Colonial Presbyterian Church
Rev. Bob Henley Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, Ketchum, ID
Dr. Wm. J. Maxwell, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Newport, RI
Pat Riggins DVM, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IN
Rev. Gilbert J. Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., The Knoxville United Church, Pittsburgh, PA
Robert Morris, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, Florida
Rev. Steven L. Seng, First Presbyterian Church, Wellsburg, WV
José Rosa Rivera, Elder, First Presbyterian Church Puerto Nuevo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Rev. Paul Fredericks, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Prosser, WA
Rev and Mrs Richard Klein, pastor emeritus, First Presbyterian Church, Ephrata, WA
Ernest A. Bettin, Elder, Arcadia Presbyterisn Church, Arcadia CA
Robert Curtis, Elder, Arcadia Presbyterian Church, Arcadia, CA
Rev. Rick Johnson, Pastor, Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, George, Iowa
Rosemarie Sabounchian, Elder, Arcadia Presbyterian Church
Fredda Ganer, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, Cimarron
Dick Carter, Elder, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Amarillo, TX
Rev. Dr. Steve Nesheim, pastor, Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, member of the Presbytery of the Redwoods
Jeanne A. Linquist MD Elder, First Presbyterian Church San Mateo, CA
Dr. David Swanson, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, FL
Rev. Larry Ballenger, HR. Ukiah, California. Redwoods Presbytery, COM
Pastor Lance Ziegler, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Grandview WA
Craig L. Henderson, Clerk of Session, Mandarin Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL
Dorothy J. Young, Elder, Faith Presbyterian Church of Seminole, Florida
Rev. John Bret Moser IV, Waitsburg First Presbyterian Church, Waitsburg, WA
Thomas Westfall, Pastor, New Hope Presbyterian Church, Willow Springs, NC
Dr. Douglas J. Rumford, Senior Pastor, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, KS
The Rev. James D. Miller, Ph.D. Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa, OK
Ryan McAdams, Director of Youth Ministries, First & Calvary Presbyterian, Springfield, MO
Curt Creason, Elder, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Overland Park, KS
Walter Hamer, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Monett, MO
Rev. Daniel Vraa, Senior Pastor, Dixon Community Church, Dixon, California
Lynn Platter, deacon, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, KS
Rev. Les Winters, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Reading, MN
Dr. Ron Scates, Senior Pastor, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX
Stewart W. Damon, Clerk of Session, North Lake Presbyterian Church, Lady Lake FL
Marshall Worden, Elder, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Tucson, Arizona
Jim Skidmore, Elder, Montreat Presbyterian Church, Montreat, NC
Rev. Dr. Bryan D. Burton, Senior Pastor, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Seattle, Wa
Willis A. Brown, Elder, First United Presbyterian Church, Oneonta, New York
Glen Miller, Elder, Colonial Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri
John Erskine, Elder, North Lake Presbyterian Church, Lady Lake, FL
Barry E. Wynkoop, President, Board of Trustees, National Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC
James A. Brown, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Norman, OK
Laureen Bodnar, Elder, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA
Judson Taylor, Elder, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
David Phillips, elder, First Presbyterian Church, Mineola, NY
Chet Easton, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Mineola, NY
Dennis Canfield, Member, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
Glenn R. Kennedy, Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Corning, NY
Rev. James A. Tweedie, Mililani Presbyterian Church, Mililani, Hawaii
Hank Vogt, Elder, St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Somerset, PA
James D. Lueers, Minister of Worship and Music, Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA
Cheryl Vaughn, member of Peace Presbyterian Church, Goose Creek, SC
Rev. Dr. John S. Markel, Pastor, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
Rev. Linda Heinaman, pastor, First Presbyterian, Plymouth, OH
Stephen Murray, First Presbyterian Church, Thomasville, GA
Mary Jo Levy, member, Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, Signal Mountain TN
Paul Cesak, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas
Elizabeth Poppinga Nelson, Elder, Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, NJ
Barbara Adams, member, First Presbyterian Church Bakersfield, California
David R. Nolde, Elder, Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura, CA
Alan Crandall, Chaplain to Students, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
Mike Gibson, Pastor, Munford Presbyterian Church, Munford, TN
Rev. Jean H. Throckmorton, member at large, Riverside Presbytery
Susan DeLoach, Elder, Arbor Dale Presbyterian Church, Banner Elk, NC
Dr. Thomas Murray, Pastor, Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, McAlester, OK
Earl W. Richbourg; Elder, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, Florida
Carole A. Miles, Elder, Port Deposit Presbyterian Church, Port Deposit, MD
William P. (Scott) and Patricia P. Briggs, Eastminister Presbyterian Church, Marietta, GA
Rev. LaVonne Alexander, pastor, Community Presbyterian Church of the Lakes, Lake Hughes, CA
Dr. Thomas Warren, Pastor, Deltona Presbyterian Church, Deltona, FL
Rev. Fred Thrower, First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, Kingwood, Texas
G David Lambertson, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Central Washington
Rev. Charles A. McFarlin, Pastor, Spring Hill Presbyterian Church, Staunton, VA
David Collins, Elder/Clerk of Session, Greenbrier Presbyterian Church, Chesapeake, VA
Rev. Roger E. Purdy, Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana, CA
Jim Tomb. Commissioned Lay Pastor, Fort Palmer Presbyterian Church, Bolivar, Pa.
Dr. Thomas Murray, Pastor, First Presbyterian, McAlester, OK
J. Bruce Melton, Honorably Retired, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy
Frani Melton, Member, Dardenne Presbyterian Church, Dardenne Prairie, MO
Glenn Blum, Clerk of Session, First Presbyterian Church, Oconto, WI
The Rev. Bruce P. Greenough, pastor, Stony Hills Presbyterian Church, Germantown, WI
Rev. Jon K. Nelson, Pastor for Children, Youth, & Families, Overlake Park Presbyterian Church, Bellevue, WA
Dr. Worth Wilson, pastor, Mt. Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Roslyn, WA & Cle Elum Community Church, Cle Elum, WA
Annabel Fatkin, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Hayward, California
Carlotta Szabo, Deacon, First Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA
John Buckingham
Steve Barker, pastor, Yakima First Presbyterian Church, Yakima, WA
Paul W. Bechmann, Elder, Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, NJ
Rev. Dr. Keith Posehn, Pastor, River Valley Church Rancho Cordova, CA
Ben Ray, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Derby, KS
Dr. Sung Wook Chung, Associate Professor of Theology, Denver Seminary,Littleton, CO
Bob Campbell, elder, Kingman Presbyterian Church, Kingman, AZ
Judy McDonald, Member, Mandarin Presbyterian, Jacksonville, FL
Gaye Eveland, member Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cornelius, NC
Senor Dennis Janson, elder and missionary, First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, CA
Dr. Kathy Chance, Elder, Fremont Presbyterian Church, Sacramento, CA
Franklin Rodriguez-Mangual, CLP, Aurea Luciano Prebyterian Church, Cabo Rojo, PR
Bob Pedroza, Elder, Community Presbyterian Church, Ventura, CA
Jay Rietz, First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay, WI
Susan Rietz, First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay, WI
Trevor Smith, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
Heekyun Kim, Elder, Korean Church of Long Island, Port Washington, NY
Rickey Crews, Formosan Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
Want to sign on? Please email your name, affiliation, and contact information to info@presbycoalition.org