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Mississippi Presbytery
710 S. 28th Ave. Suite A
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
March 31, 2008
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We pray that God will grant us all wisdom, grace
and peace during these difficult times within
the Presbyterian family of believers. We are eager,
as much as it depends on us, to seek a peaceful
resolution to our differences. In this spirit,
we thank the Presbytery of Mississippi for making
your concerns known, and we hope that we may meet
with the Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick for
the purpose of clarifying what actions have or
have not occurred, to come to an agreed understanding
of events, and to provide a peaceful resolution
of differences.
We believe that Mississippi Presbytery’s
assertions against the New Wineskins Association
of Churches are based on misinformation. Grace
Chapel of Madison, Mississippi has never been
an endorsing congregation of the New Wineskins
Association of Churches (NWAC).
Additionally, the New Wineskins Association of
Churches has repeatedly stated that we consider
it to be faithful to Christ and His Church for
presbyterian congregations to either remain affiliated
with the PCUSA or to realign with another Reformed
body, as God so calls a particular congregation.
This is no more than the Constitution of the PCUSA
itself recognizes, in that it provides a process
for congregations called to leave to another Reformed
body.
NWAC has encouraged our congregations to enter
a discernment process regarding denominational
affiliation in light of the ministry and mission
of their particular congregation. We have provided
tools to that end including 3 papers specifically
addressing congregations that choose to remain
within the PCUSA. They may be found at www.newwineskinsassociation.org.
We are an association of churches and we look
forward to an increasingly ecumenical focus within
the presbyterian and reformed family. We believe
this will provide an enhanced witness to and demonstration
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Regarding the disaffiliation of PCUSA congregations,
it is our observation that some congregations
choose this route of realignment when the dismissal
process either breaks down or gets bogged down.
Some congregations choose disaffiliation because
of the trust laws unique to their state. Some
choose disaffiliation in response to hostile actions
taken by their presbyteries in following the instructions
promulgated by the Louisville Papers. In all cases,
however, the decisions have been made by local
congregations. We do not advise one action or
another; we try only to provide accurate information
about various alternatives when requested.
Again, we thank you for bringing your concerns
to the attention of the larger church; we eagerly
await the opportunity to meet with the Stated
Clerk of the GA of the PCUSA.
Grace and Peace,
Renee Guth
Exec. Coordinator
On behalf of the leadership team of the
New Wineskins Association of Churches
Cc. Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick,
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PCUSA
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