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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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:
To our brothers and sisters at FUMCOG:
In these dark times the light of God’s love shines bright. We share that light with you here, in thoughts and prayers gathered from our congregation, Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York, last Sunday, December 12, 2004. Peace and strength to all.
“Rev. Stroud, I support your coming out to your congregation. I hope that your spirit and conviction can continue to shine. Thank you for awakening so many of us. I will pray for you daily. Peace,” – Michael Fram
“Hoping that the truth shall transform all sides in this conflict and set the Methodists free!” – Michael Bennett
“Rev. Beth: We are all children of God. I fully support your courageous act of staying honest with God and with God’s people. Bishop Weaver and the like need to learn your honesty and become true to God’s path.” – Khalil Azarani
“My prayers and support both for Beth and her church, and for change towards complete inclusion of everyone tin the church body.” – Sally Ridgeway
“It seems to me that this is a way of depriving the “common” person of he Word of God in favor of denominationally imposed doctrine – his mis-take has occurred before in history. You know it, Bishops, and so do we –”
“I am waiting for the day when our church is truly inclusive and welcoming to all. In Christ’s name” – Anne Wong
“Dear Beth and your congregation: My thoughts and prayers are with you during his sad time. I hope in the depths of my heart that change will come and that gay people and lesbians will be truly accepted in the church. Beth, your example is truly inspiring.”
“In support and solidarity” – Kathleen Foster
“I came to this church because of its acceptance of all. It seems sad to me that this formalized Institution is providing justification for hate and violence toward gay and lesbian people. This Institution does not own God. God is watching. Maybe God will look down and see who really loved all his children vs. those who stood in judgment.”
“I have been praying for a change of heart on the part of the United Methodist Church membership so that all people can participate fully in all aspects of the church.” – Christine Mowery
“Dear Rev. Stroud: My partner and I would like to express our support and our gratitude for your courage. We find your journey and words inspirational. The fight is not over.” – Marie and Lynn
“The Church needs to be a place where all people can feel welcomed and accepted, not just in part but as their whole selves. Thank you, Beth, for taking a stand on this issue which is so important.” – Zan Jacobs
“Christianity is all about inclusivity. I support Beth in her belief. It is mine as well!”
“I am sure one day the Church will apologize to gay and lesbian people.”
“Beth, you have my great respect and blessing for your brave decision. Many, many people support you – please know that as you face this very difficult time.” – Dawn Wheatly
“Our prayers and hopes are with you.”
“Let a person be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin – or by whether they prefer vanilla or chocolate – or by any other superficial, personal choices.” – Robert D. Johnson, Portland, Oregon
“Reverend Stroud, We grieve the loss of your ordination. We rage with you at this injustice. We celebrate your bravery, courage and commitment to your faith and the truth.” – Louisa Floyd
“How does man determine what is acceptable to God?”
“Thank you for your courage and conviction. You are and inspiration to me. My prayers are with you.” – Patrecia Lenore
“Rev. Stroud, You are supported by our congregation. Know that you are not alone. God bless you.”
“To the people of FUMCOG: I am a heterosexual, married person and the father of two lovely young children. I am also a broadly spirited person and my conscience informs me that God does not seek to repress the sexuality of given individuals simply because they don’t meet arbitrary criteria of acceptability espoused by given establishments. God put sexuality in us for us to fine the expression of it that is appropriate and satisfying to each of us. To put it in the vernacular, I get really pissed when any hierarchy levies action such as those being implemented against Rev. Stroud.”
“Beth, You are courageous and admirable and you’re an incredible woman. My and the whole congregation here at PSUMC are for you and what you believe in. I wish you the best of luck.” – Ray, a PSUMC youth member
“To our friends at Germantown UMC, and most especially to Rev. Stroud – We at PSUMC celebrate your courage, clarity and Christian love in the midst of the abuse of power exhibited by church leaders. We stand with you in solidarity, and our disgust at the defrocking of Rev. Stroud will fuel our determination to continue to work for inclusive Christian ministry. We are with you in these sad times – and celebrate your conviction that God’s work must continue.”
“Reverend Beth, I am reminded about how in 1872 a male physician demanded “rest cures” for ambitious women, theorizing that women should be denied education, power, services etc. because it was dangerous to women and to society. Thank God we moved beyond that. And yet the United Methodist Church has proscribed a “rest cure” for those people who are called by God to ministry, but happen to be created by that same God to love persons romantically of the same gender. The Church needs to come out of is own closet and walk not in the dim, man-made flickers of a book, but in the light of the One who our Book is about – the God of all love and true light. So be it.” – Judy L. F.
“Dear Rev. Stroud, I believe that you are very brave in your decisions that you made over the past few months. We are all very disappointed in the way the conference treated you and the choices the Bishop gave you. I personally am praying for you and can offer our support in any ways you see fit. What surprises me is that you are in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Where has the love gone for fellow human- kind and to be respectful of choice and acceptance of all God's children? Know you are not alone in your decision and hope that because of what you did, you can help pave the way for others to not be afraid.” - Linda Mandracchia
“Dear Miss Stroud, Even though some people have different ways of friendship I think it should be allowed. Keep up the good work and support. If I were the government I would make it be allowed. PS: Keep it up. I give you support.” – Gabriela Gross, PSUMC youth
“Dear Rev. Stroud, Leaps of faith are never really explainable or logical or reassuring to those who watch the dizzying spectacle. But they can inspire, and your leap toward a deeper faith has inspired an exploration of my faith, and I think I know what you know – that no human structures can contain that. God knows and provides, even when, so sadly, our Methodist Church cannot. In faith,” – John Istel
“Rev. Stroud, as a youth at PSUMC, I support your coming out and hope that others can accept you for who you are and treat you as you deserve like a fellow child of God. My prayers are with you.”
“Reverend Stroud – I am deeply disturbed by the action taken against you and apparently, your congregation. Your devotion to God and your work is an inspiration. Our support, nation wide, is essential to remain inclusive in God’s eye.”
“Dear Beth, I thank you for your courage in stepping forward to seek acceptance for your (and others) whole self(ves). Belonging to a church that is so totally accepting of all has allowed me to return to Christianity, (at least here in Park Slope!) Sincerely,” – Nancy Wilkes
“The real issue is not of the clergy. The issue is that the Church is saying a clergy person may be effective and loving and honest, but the way this person was born outweighs that fact.” – Reverend Zan White, retired Presbyterian
“Ten years from now lesbian and gay ministers will most likely be a common occurrence. Must we wait?! Let’s try to make the more enlightened future arrive today. God loves and needs everyone.” – Bob Quinn
“Dear Beth, May you continue to walk in light and grace. There are many of us working for change and it comes so very slowly. I despair, and consider yet again renouncing the Church and walking away. But my heart resonates with the true core of Methodism, and I will not abandon my church to narrow-minded people deluded enough to think that their discrimination is in keeping with Christian teaching while my expression of love is not. Thank you for your example of courage and faith. Our prayers are with you.” – Carol Scott |
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