Responses to the verdict

There were no winners today.
04 Dec 2004

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Two weeks ago, I shared with you that I would testify as a character witness for Rev. Beth Stroud, a clergy woman I served with from 1997-1999 at the West Chester United Methodist Church, West Chester, Pa. It has been an emotional and difficult time for everyone involved. The jurors deliberated and by a 12 – 1 vote, found Rev. Stroud guilty of "practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings," as outlined in Paragraph 2702 (1) (b) of the 2000 Book of Discipline. The Book of Discipline states that persons who have declared themselves to be "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church." [Paragraph 304 (3)]. The jurors deliberated further and voted 7 – 6 to discontinue Rev. Stroud as an elder in the United Methodist Church.

There were no winners today. I trust we are all saddened that an effective pastor lost her credentials. I also trust we grieve that our denomination continues to struggle with theological differences. I know within the Baltimore-Washington Conference, we have pastors and members that are frustrated and hurt by the outcome. Others may agree with the outcome, but I trust feel concern and compassion for Rev. Stroud, her congregation and the United Methodist Church. I hope we will all stay at the table and continue to be in dialogue. I am willing to meet with pastors to think and pray about how we will live and serve together in the midst of our differences.

As I mentioned in my earlier letter, I pray and hope that during this time, each of us will serve as healers and bridge-builders regardless of the trial’s outcome. As pastoral leaders, we can share and interpret the facts to our congregations and communities that will build understanding rather than heighten divisiveness. By demonstrating our love for and commitment to The United Methodist Church in the midst of differing opinions, we will communicate our confidence that God will lead us through these challenging times. I am grateful for your integrity, caring and commitment in this and all matters of faith and ministry.

Below, you will find a press statement that I issued during the trial. I hope together, we will exercise thoughtful and compassionate pastoral leadership to interpret this trial and the church’s struggle in ways that that keep us faithfully serving together to discern how God is calling us to work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
John R. Schol

Press Statement
John R. Schol, Bishop of the Washington, DC Area
December 2, 2004

The Rev. Beth Stroud and I served together on the ministerial staff of West Chester United Methodist Church from 1997-1999. Today I testified that in my experience, Beth is an excellent pastor who has been highly effective in making disciples for Jesus Christ.

General Conference, our denomination’s highest legislative body, re-affirmed a rule last May that said self-avowed, practicing homosexuals are not to be ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church. General Conference has also said, in our Social Principles, that "We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn their lesbian and gay members and friends." This is the tightrope our church is currently walking.

Some want to divide the church because of disagreements on this and other issues. We are also divided about how to interpret scripture and how to do theology. Yet, I believe our love for one another and the church is stronger than our disagreements. As United Methodists, we committed at that same General Conference, by a 90% majority, that in the midst of different beliefs concerning homosexuality, we will remain unified toward our common mission of making disciples to serve the spiritual and social needs of others.

I believe we can learn from each other and I call everyone in the church to be healers and bridge-builders. Pastors and church leaders have the opportunity to share and interpret to their congregations and communities concerning the church’s actions today in ways that build understanding rather than heighten divisiveness. By demonstrating our love for and commitment to The United Methodist Church in the midst of differing opinions, we will communicate our confidence that God will lead us through these challenging times.

As a colleague and friend, I am saddened that Beth’s fitness for ministry has been questioned. She is a good person and a caring and effective pastor. I ask every United Methodist to keep Beth, her loved ones, her congregation and The United Methodist Church in your prayers. We have never been a perfect church, but we have always been a church willing to struggle with hard questions and to disagree with each other in a spirit of love. May we continue in this grace.

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The Bible tells us that God's love extends to all persons.
28 Dec 2004

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
Response to the Trial of Rev. Beth Stroud

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