HESED
NOTE: Hesed has been inactive
for some time due to professional time constraints. It is being
maintained as an archive only.
Hesed [Hebrew for steadfast love
or loving kindness] is an informal
group of PC(USA) pastors,
elders, deacons, and other lay church leaders dedicated to bringing
about an inclusive church which affirms the common dignity of
all people, the equality of all in Christ, and our common responsibility
as Christians to fulfill the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ
(Matt. 22:39; Mark 12:31; Gal. 5:14) to love our neighbors as
ourselves, without judgment or condemnation (James 2:8-13). It
has supported both covenants of dissent to G-6.0106b and "Amendment
A" brought to the presbyteries for a vote in 1998 and now
is active in supporting repeal of G-6.0106b. While its purpose
goes far beyond the issue of GLBT ordination, it is representative
of the broad-based support which exists within the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) for the ordination of lesbian and gay persons
with appropriate gifts who are called by God to service.
It is in the spirit of hesed - for God, for Jesus Christ,
and for all our brothers and sisters in Christ - that Hesed
seeks to provide a forum for mutual support of those concerned
for the future of the PC(USA) and for those churches - not only
"More Light" congregations, but many others as well
- who lament the direction the church seems to be taking away
from the richness and integrity of its tradition. It is dedicated
to expressing this concern within the bounds of Scripture as revealed
to us, the great confessional documents of our church, and church
polity.
We encourage contributions.
Contributions to Hesed dialogue may be of any length; they should,
however, be thoughtful, consistent with the stated purpose of
this Forum, and respectful. Contributions in the area of exegesis,
church history and Reformed thought and practice, and Christian
ethics are particularly welcomed. They will be linked to this
web page so that all may share in them and respond to them.
For comments or questions about this page - and to contribute
to it or respond to prior contributions, please send email to
HESED. (Contributions
may also be sent via mail or fax - see below.)
We also invite you to sign the HESED Guestbook
HESED, 1115 Nichols Farm Drive, Durham, NC 27703.
This web site last updated 7 January 2002. Moderator/Webmaster
Virginia L. Lewis,
PCUSA Elder and member, First
Presbyterian Church, Durham, North Carolina. Email address:
valewis@earthlink.net.
Hesed
has a balanced
linking policy and is a "virtual
safe zone" 
for youth with questions about
sexual orientation.