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Parker Williamson, a conservative gadfly as CEO of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and editor in chief of its publication, the Layman, says he will appeal the invalidation of his ministry by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. At a contentious meeting January 31 in Asheville, the presbyters voted 150-106 to allow Williamson to remain an active at-large clergy member, but they withdrew approval of his ministry, which has been called a divisive force within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).