Grace was abundant.
04 Dec 2004
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Pastoral Letter from Bishop Marcus Matthews regarding the Beth StroudTrial
December 3, 2004
A Pastoral Letter to the United Methodist Brothers and Sisters of the Philadelphia Episcopal Area: I bid you grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ!
More than 200 persons gathered at Camp Innabah this week for the church trial of the Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud before a 13-member jury of her clergy peers. Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel presided over the trial in a prayerful and fair-minded manner.
The trial court voted 12-to-1 that Pastor Stroud engaged in "practices incompatible with Christian teachings," a violation of Paragraph 2702 (1) (b) of the 2000 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. The charge involved her 2003 declaration that she was a lesbian living in a covenanted relationship with a partner. The Discipline provides that a trial court decision is final.
After a penalty hearing, by a 7-6 vote, the trial court revoked Ms. Stroud's ministerial credentials. The penalty was effective immediately.
No matter what our individual views are on the issue of homosexuality, we owe the members of the trial court our word of thanks. Theirs was a difficult task where answers do not always appear clearly or quickly. We must respect the decision of the trial court and move on in our ministry.
As I entered the gymnasium at Camp Innabah on Wednesday, I felt God's spirit at work. In our life together as clergy and laity, few things are more painful or difficult than a public church trial on an issue that divides society and the church. It was clear that those involved in the trial - counsels for both sides, Ms. Stroud and her family, and those observing the proceeding - showed great respect for each other, for our church, and the law of the church. Grace was abundant.
A few weeks ago, I asked you to join me in a day of prayer and fasting on Dec. 1 as the trial opened. I was heartened by the positive response from across the annual conference. Today, I ask you to continue to keep Ms. Stroud and her family, the congregation at First United Methodist Church of Germantown, our annual conference family, and our denomination in your prayers as we continue to grapple with issues related to the role gay and lesbian people play in our church and throughout society.
Finally, I offer a word of deep appreciation for the dozens of persons who served as bailiffs, chaplains, peacemakers, and hospitality greeters at the trial. Their selfless dedication, along with the planning and professionalism of our conference and Camp Innabah staff, worked to create the worshipful and reverent environment in which the trial took place.
Grace and peace,
Bishop Marcus Matthews |
The Bible tells us that God's love extends to all persons.
28 Dec 2004
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Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
Response to the Trial of Rev. Beth Stroud
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We celebrate all the people who have spoken God's extravagant welcome
28 Dec 2004
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Response from the United Church of Christ Coalition
December 3, 2004 |
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I am confident, however, that the true spirit of Methodism will survive this period of misunderstanding and intolerance.
28 Dec 2004
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Reflection by Rev. Dean Snyder
Senior Minister, Foundry United Methodist Church
Washington DC |
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Local Coverage
21 Dec 2004
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Local friends reflect on personal connections...
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Other responses (on the web)
20 Dec 2004
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Some links to other responses posted on the world wide web
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I will not abandon my church to narrow-minded people...
15 Dec 2004
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Voices of support and solidarity from Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York |
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A time of soul-searching prayer and repentance
10 Dec 2004
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Chuck Cooper, President
On behalf of the entire Executive Committee
MFSA, Oregon-Idaho Chapter
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Rachel is Wailing
10 Dec 2004
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by Rev. Joe Agne (12/4/04)
pastor of Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains, N.Y.
national co-president of the Methodist Federation of Social Action |
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No one won.
09 Dec 2004
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An open letter to Bishop Joseph Yeakel, Bishop Marcus Matthews, Bishop John Schol and Bishop Peter Weaver
From Kathryn J. Johnson, Executive Director, Methodist Federation for Social Action |
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Can't un-ordain her.
08 Dec 2004
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Joel Thomas, From Oklahoma (Connexions blog) |
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No Room in the Inn
08 Dec 2004
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The phrase "no room in the inn" takes on new poignancy in the wake of the trial of the Rev. Beth Stroud in Eastern Pennsylvania. I know that there are many United Methodists who feel, increasingly, as if there is no room for them – people who struggle between love for this church and grief over our closed-door policies. I am in prayer for all who are waiting in the cold, seeking room, watching for the light of God's grace.
Bishop Susan M. Morrison
Troy Conference |
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We absolutely fell in love with Beth and Chris.
08 Dec 2004
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Carole Greenauer
president, PFLAG Philadelphia
member, UCC national Justice and Witness Ministry Team |
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TAMFS Board Stands in Solidarity with Beth
08 Dec 2004
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Statement from That All May Freely Serve |
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Faithfulness
08 Dec 2004
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A response by Rev. Tom Schomaker
Detroit Conference, retired |
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Seek Justice.
08 Dec 2004
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I have followed the case and verdict. As a young adult United Methodist I have been aware of how divisive this issue has been and come to support my gay and lesbian friends and family members. It has been through your trial and my own study that I have been able to let go of the notion that being homosexual is a sin, that God can both make a person gay and call a gay person as they are made. Thank you for your part in my realization of this. My prayers are with you in your continued walk.
Seek Justice,
Eric Yetter |
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We will continue to seek God’s guidance, for the sake of our children.
08 Dec 2004
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Parents Reconciling Network
Response to the Trial of Beth Stroud
by Jerry Longwell
PRN Steering Committee Facilitator |
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Spiritually it was the United Methodist Church that was on trial
08 Dec 2004
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Reflection by Rev. Dick Harding
New England Conference
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Statement of support for Beth Stroud and Chris Paige
06 Dec 2004
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From More Light Presbyterians |
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This little light of mine
06 Dec 2004
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A reflection by Joanna Barr, West Chester, PA |
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I didn't feel much like coming together as the Body of Christ this Sunday
06 Dec 2004
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A response by John Stopple, St Louis, Mo |
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Extraordinary testimony on behalf of Beth's calling
05 Dec 2004
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reflections by Cris Elkins, Fredericksburg, Va. |
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And Jesus Wept.
04 Dec 2004
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a blog entry, by Don Wallick |
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An effective ministry was killed on December 2nd, by the United
04 Dec 2004
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Church Within A Church Movement Responds to Guilty Verdict of Rev. Beth Stroud
December 3, 2004 |
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A Public Statement from the Rev. Dr. Troy D. Perry, Founder & Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches
04 Dec 2004
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On The Church Trial and Conviction of the Rev. Elizabeth Stroud for Violating the United Methodist Church's Ban on Homosexual Clerics in Non-Celibate Relationships
December 2, 2004 |
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Stroud 's Credentials Stripped
04 Dec 2004
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Statement by Peggy R. Gaylord, Affirmation
For Immediate Release, December 3, 2004 |
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The Church Chooses Legalism
04 Dec 2004
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A Response to the Trial of the Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud
by Kathryn J. Johnson, Executive Director
Methodist Federation for Social Action
December 2, 2004 |
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Reconciling Ministries network
04 Dec 2004
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RMN Special Flashnet - Rev. Stroud Charged - 12.02.04 |
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A statement from On Fire!
04 Dec 2004
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http://www.UMOnFire.org
Young United Methodists Saddened and Disappointed by UMC
December 3, 2004 |
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