Halakhah and Homosexuality: On December 6, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) of the Rabbinical Assembly opened the door to the ordination of gay rabbis and the recognition of same-sex partnerships. It also made clear the more orthodox in the faith may go on opposing such liberalization.
In two days of discussion the committee put forward a number of statements regarding the place of gay and lesbian members of the conservative Jewish community. One of the statements "Homosexuality, Human Dignity and Halakhah" argued for the full normalization of the status of gay and lesbian Jews. Under this ruling, gay and lesbian Jews may be ordained as clergy and their committed relationships may be recognized
There was also some support on the committee for a more comprehensive repeal of the prior ban against homosexual relationships. All authors of teshuvot shared a universal appreciation for the principle of kvod habriot (God-given dignity) and the welfare of gays and lesbians in the conservative Jewish community.
Statements issued by the committee are not binding on congregations or seminaries. When the committee validates two or more viewpoints, the local rabbi determines which to follow.
For more information, visit the Rabbinical Assembly website.

Bishop Arrested: Bishop Marc Handley Andrus of the Episcopal Diocese of California was arrested December 7 for blocking the front door of the San Francisco federal building to protest the deaths caused by the Iraq war.
Andrus, carrying his crosier and singing "Down by the Riverside", was among 250 protesters, who marched from Grace Cathedral to the Federal Building in San Francisco.
A small group of protesters led by Quakers have gathered once a week to hold a silent vigil. Once a month the vigil is followed by the "die-in." Andrus has attended a number of the weekly vigils, but this was his first participation in a "die-in."
Adnrus and 11 other protesters were handcuffed and detained in a room inside the federal building for about two hours. They were cited for unlawful assembly and told they could either pay the charge's $125 fine or appear in court at a later date. They have chosen to appear in court.

Still Journeying: The study guide for Part Three of Journey Together Faithfully, the ELCA sexuality study was published this past week. Its title is "Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor", and it takes up issues of Sexuality in relation to culture, power, money, and economic justice using Paul's letter to the Galatians and Luther's essay "The Freedom of a Christian".
The guide comes at a time when our thoughts about power and sexuality drift inevitably toward the upcoming disciplianry action pursued by Bishop Ron Warren against Pr. Bradley SchmelingTwo passages stand out:
As Christian people we will reflect on correcting imbalances of power, protecting the vulnerable against violence and coercion, and preventing destructive behavior. This is why it is not possible to discuss human sexuality without discussing justice. It may seem a little strange at first to bring justice into a consideration of our most intimate relationships. But the intimacy of these relationships makes us vulnerable, and so justice becomes imperative. (p. 44)

Sexual ethics is therefore not so much about the management of private physical desire. It is about deploying social and individual power to create and sustain healthy networks of relationships. It is about helping persons who are bound closely together by ties of attraction and reliance to flourish. Or, as Luther puts it so simply in his explanation to the Sixth Commandment: �in matters of sex our words and conduct are [to be] pure and honorable.� As private and individual as erotic attraction and sexual expression seem to be, this feature of human experience has a profoundly communal dimension. Justice, equity, and interpersonal responsibility are equally important whether we are talking about dating, conduct between marriage partners, the state�s intervention in private conduct, or the church�s teaching and response on matters related to sexuality. (p. 47)

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