Presbytery voted 45 to 13 to proceed with becoming an affirming presbytery despite there being no explicit statement in response to question of what we were affirming.
The question was resolved with babble
i. who we might equally welcome was confused with what we might affirm
[cf. the minimum terms of membership in acts 15:20, 29; 21:25 while not
explicitly referencing sexual orientation equally reference for all persons
what might be affirmed with sexuality];
ii. covenant relation was argued without recognition that we were breaking
covenant with trust "that no terms of admission to full membership
shall be prescribed other than those laid down in the new testament"
[basis 8.6.2(b)];
iii. in response to question "by our constitution may we affirm that?"
opinion was given that "there are several interpretations of scripture"
and "whether we are in favor or whether we are not in favor is more
important than order".
The covenant as expressed in
The Manual is one of the means by which the United Church does its work and safeguards its members. It protects the minority, and provides the means by which any member may express convictions and seek justice, from the Congregation through to the General Council. The Manual likewise assists the majority in making necessary decisions and carrying out policies and plans. [Manual p.3]
means little if we might arbitrarily change or avoid its provisions.