A Presbyterian regional court has affirmed a Wisconsin church body's decision to ordain a partnered homosexual.

The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies ruled Saturday that the John Knox Presbytery "acted within its authority" when it approved the ordination of Scott D. Anderson in February.

A complaint had been filed in March by Caledonia Presbyterian Church in Portage, Wisc., as well as the presbyteries of Central Florida, Prospect Hill and Stockton, alleging that John Knox Presbytery committed irregularities by ordaining someone who is ineligible. more >>

A California minister was rebuked on Friday by a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) court for performing same-sex ceremonies.

In a 4-2 vote by the Redwood Presbytery Judicial Commission, the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr was found guilty of representing the ceremonies as marriages, persistently disobeying church law, and violating her ordination vows.

An anonymous layperson had brought charges against Spahr, a lesbian activist and a Presbyterian minister for 36 years, after she officiated the weddings of 16 same-sex couples during the brief period same-sex marriage was legal in California between June and November 2008. more >>

A retired Presbyterian minister is facing trial Tuesday morning for performing same-sex ceremonies in California.

This is the second time the Rev. Jane Adams Spahr, a lesbian activist, has gone to court over violation of church law.

Earlier, in 2008, she was cleared of wrongdoing by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s highest court, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. The high court had reversed a decision by a regional judicial committee that found Spahr guilty of misconduct when she conducted ceremonies for two lesbian couples in 2004. more >>

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is considering a recommendation to extend spousal and dependent benefits to same-gender domestic partners.

The board is hoping to bring proposals next year and begin implementing changes to the denomination's Benefits Plan in 2012.

Thomas C. Paisley, Jr., chair of the Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions, said they are committed to "responding affirmatively to the action of the General Assembly, with a focus on doing what is in the best interests of our members and being attentive to the concerns of our participating employing organizations," as reported by the Presbyterian News Service. more >>

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a significantly modified version of a Middle East report on Friday that, for the most part, placated both Jews and Palestinians.

Avoiding what could have been devastating to Presbyterian-Jewish relations, the church’s General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a report by its Middle East study committee that removed more objectionable language.

Gone was the recommendation to divest from the Caterpillar company, whose bulldozers are used by Israel to demolish Palestinian homes. Instead, the church “strongly” denounced the Caterpillar company for allowing its products to be used in non-peaceful ways by Israel. more >>

In response to Arizona's controversial immigration law, delegates of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) agreed to refrain from holding national meetings in states where immigrant members might be subject to harassment.

The PC(USA)'s 219th General Assembly – the highest legislative body – voted 420-205 Thursday evening to stand with immigrant Presbyterians.

"It is not right to have meetings and do things as a church, when the entire church cannot be there," said Trina Zelle, a minister from Grand Canyon Presbytery, who submitted the resolution, as reported by The Presbyterian Outlook. more >>