I have grown from having Beth as our pastor.
08 Dec 2004
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Reflection from Nancy Tkacs of First United Methodist Church of Germantown |
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Cut your losses?
05 Dec 2004
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A sermon by Rev. Jim McIntire, Bala United Methodist Church
Jim was Beth's predecessor at First United Methodist Church of Germantown. Beth is a pastor to Jim's children. Jim is pastor to Beth's parents. |
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Our job is to try to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
05 Dec 2004
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A reflection by Michael C. Mahan, from First United Methodist Church of Germantown |
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There were no winners today.
04 Dec 2004
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Bishop John Schol writes to the Baltimore-Washington Conference |
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Grace was abundant.
04 Dec 2004
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Pastoral Letter from Bishop Marcus Matthews regarding the Beth Stroud Trial
December 3, 2004 |
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A time of soul-searching prayer and repentance
10 Dec 2004
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Executive Committee,
MFSA, Oregon-Idaho Chapter
Statement on the Conviction Of Rev. Beth Stroud
December 3, 2004
In is with deep disappointment, sorrow, and regret that we received the news of the conviction of and the removal of the credentials of the Rev. Beth Stroud by a trial court of her peers. We respectfully disagree with presiding judge Bishop Joseph Yeakel's decision not to allow defense witnesses to present their case that the ban on gays and lesbians in ministry contradicts the United Methodist Church's own legal principles.
Throughout its nearly one hundred year history, the Methodist Federation for Social Action in many different contexts and circumstances, has stood for justice within the (now) United Methodist Church and the culture within which the church lives and ministers. Within that tradition, as the Oregon-Idaho Chapter of MFSA, we deplore the ban on gays and lesbians in ministry in the United Methodist Church as a sin against God's creation. We are deeply dismayed with winds of repression and prejudice against LGBT persons that are sweeping across the nation in many different forms.
In the effort to support the ban on LGBT persons within the United Methodist Church, the Bible is being used, as it has in the past, to support the narrow views, prejudices, and cultural biases of those who support the status quo, even and especially as it pertains to those who have been marginalized by the Church and society. We call for a fresh and informed reading and interpretation of Scripture as the Word of God contained within a human document, written by human beings who were moved by the Holy Spirit, while being influenced and affected, as are we, by the belief systems of their times. Then the Wesleyan principles of tradition, reason, and experience will be allowed to flow freely, informing our minds while warming and transforming our hearts.
We pray for Beth Stroud and her partner, Chris Paige. We call the people of the United Methodist Church to a time of soul-searching prayer and repentance on behalf of the entire Church.
Chuck Cooper, President
On behalf of the entire Executive Committee
MFSA, Oregon-Idaho Chapter |
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