After the decision
07 Nov 2005
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(Sent out November 3, 2005)
Dear friends,
You have probably already heard the news through the media: The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church reinstated the decision of the trial jury in Beth's case. This means that Beth is no longer an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. There are no further avenues for appeal.
It's hard to know what to say. We always knew this could happen and tried to be prepared, but still we feel very sad. While Beth's credentials have been in limbo for two and a half years, it is really very different to know now that they are gone. As with the trial, we are reading emails and listening to voicemails, but are not able to keep up with replies.
Beth still feels committed to The United Methodist Church. We know that God will make a way for her to be in ministry. She continues to serve as a lay minister at First United Methodist Church of Germantown.
Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers during this long process in which Chris and I and all of us have been involved. It was very hard to receive the news of the Judicial Council decision Monday, but very good to be surrounded by your love and prayers through it all. You also spread the word about Beth's legal fund, and we had everything we needed to complete this part of the journey. We still have to pay a few final bills, but at this point it looks like there will even be money left over to support the youth program at First United Methodist Church of Germantown.
We have no regrets about coming out of the closet. It was the right decision and has brought us happiness and freedom. And our grief is also tempered by a great joy! As of October 24, 2005, we are certified to be foster parents. So before too long, we will be able to share our life with a child. When a child is placed with us, Beth will be taking a few months of maternity leave, but after that leave she will be returning to the church.
Some of you have asked "What can we do?" As throughout this whole process, the most powerful thing that you can do is to pray. Please pray for us and the new directions in our lives -- but even more, please pray for God to fill us all with strength and wisdom, and to guide our churches and our country to embrace fairness and compassion for all people. Reach out to others who may be hurting -- and pray together. Don't worry about the words -- sometimes a shared moment of silence provides a powerful opening for the Spirit. Pray for the healing light of God's love to renew us all for the road ahead.
Beth Stroud and Chris Paige |
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Judicial Council
24 Oct 2005
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Hello friends,
As you may know, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church will review Beth's case on Thursday, October 27, beginning at 9am in Houston Texas. Beth, Chris, our parents, and the legal team will be traveling to Houston on Wednesday to be present for the hearing. The decision of the Judicial Council will be reported over the internet (at www.umc.org) within a few days of the hearing -- probably Monday. After the hearing and through the weekend, we expect to be spending time with family. So this note is the last you are likely to hear from us until after the verdict is announced.
Philadelphia-area folks are invited to a worship service in support of the witness of FUMCOG and Beth Stroud on Wednesday evening, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, 8812 Germantown Avenue, in Philadelphia. Several other United Methodist Reconciling Congregations will also be hosting prayer vigils and worship services in other areas of the country that evening in solidarity with Beth and FUMCOG. [Check bethstroud.info for known vigils]
As always, we appreciate your prayers -- for everyone who is directly involved in the case, as well as for the entire church. Whatever the outcome, this will be an emotional time for the church at-large.
Meanwhile, we are also grateful for your generous response to our previous request for financial support. First United Methodist Church of Germantown has received financial contributions for Beth's legal fund from all over the country, and we feel that our immediate needs will be well cared for. Your gifts, together with the prayers of so many, are truly sustaining us through this process.
Prayerfully,
Beth Stroud and Chris Paige |
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Prayer Vigils Planned
20 Oct 2005
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The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church will review Beth's case on Thursday, October 27, beginning at 9am in Houston Texas. Beth, Chris, our parents, and the legal team will be traveling to Houston on Wednesday to be present for the hearing. The decision of the Judicial Council will be reported over the internet (at www.umc.org) within a few days of the hearing. As always, we welcome your prayers throughout this process.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Several United Methodist Reconciling Congregations will be hosting prayer vigils and worship services in different areas of the country the evening before the hearing in solidarity with Beth and FUMCOG. - Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas
- Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California
- Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C.
- Lake Oswego United Methodist Church, Lake Oswego, Oregon (Tuesday)
To be added to the vigil list, please contact chris@bethstroud.info. |
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We need your prayers and financial support
21 Sep 2005
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Dear friends,
This October, the United Methodist Judicial Council will hear Beth's case in Houston, Texas. As we prepare, we need your prayers and financial support.
We have been deeply moved to learn about all the people who have been praying for us over the past year or two, including many people whom we may never even meet. We know that your prayers are the source of the strength and hope we have felt at times when we were almost exhausted. Your emails, cards, letters, and financial gifts to Beth's legal fund also have been wonderful, and we are trying, slowly over time, to acknowledge them all personally.
While we can't know how the Judicial Council will rule, we believe that the United Methodist Church will one day become a church that is truly welcoming to all people and all types of loving families. Whether we win or lose, Beth's case will be one step toward that day. So our prayer request is that you ask God for healing, learning, and growth for the whole church.
We also need some financial support to complete this part of our journey. Up to this point, our financial needs have been very modest, and unsolicited contributions have been sufficient. All the attorneys working on the case continue to donate their time and expertise - a gift worth tens of thousands of dollars. However, we still need to pay for printing and mailing of briefs; travel to Houston for Beth, Chris, the legal team, and our families; and professional assistance with media relations. We estimate that we will have about another $10,000 in expenses related to the case - and we have only about $2,500 left in the legal fund.
The legal fund is administered by Beth's congregation, the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, and contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The resolution establishing the fund stipulates that any money remaining in the fund after all case-related expenses are paid will be used to support youth ministry at the church.
To donate to the legal fund, make out your check to "First United Methodist Church of Germantown" and write "Legal Fund" in the memo section. Send your donation to:
Beth Stroud Legal Fund
First United Methodist Church of Germantown
6023 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Please feel free to forward this note to friends who might be willing to
help. And thank you for all the ways you continue to support us with so much loving kindness.
Faithfully,
Beth Stroud and Chris Paige
P.S. You can always check for updates on the case, new sermons from Beth
and helpful links to resources by visiting www.bethstroud.info. |
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Donations needed for Beth Stroud Legal Fund
22 Aug 2005
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As we prepare for the United Methodist Judicial Council hearing this October in Houston, Texas, we need your financial help.
Up to this point, our financial needs have been very modest, and unsolicited contributions have been sufficient to meet all our needs. All the attorneys working on the case continue to donate their time and expertise – a gift worth tens of thousands of dollars. However, for the final segment of this long journey, we need to ask for help with funds for printing and mailing the briefs; travel to Houston for Beth, Chris, and the legal team; and professional assistance with media relations. We estimate that we will have about another $10,000 in expenses related to the case – and we only have about $2,500 left in the legal fund.
If you can make a contribution of $25, $50, $100 or more, it will go a long way toward helping us with our expenses. It will also be a tremendous sign of solidarity and support to Beth’s congregation during this difficult time.
After all expenses related to the Judicial Council hearing have been paid, any money remaining in the legal fund will be used to support youth ministry at First United Methodist Church of Germantown.
To donate to the legal fund, please make out your check to First United Methodist Church of Germantown and write “Legal Fund” in the memo section. Send your donation to:
Beth Stroud Legal Fund
First United Methodist Church of Germantown
6023 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
All donations to First United Methodist Church of Germantown are tax-deductible as allowed by law. |
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