NIC VOICE
News Update
12-04-2004 Beth Stroud Trial Verdict, Penalty - Reports
by UMNS & EPAC
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This news update contains links to articles at UMNS and
EPAC.
New PRESS ARTICLES:
UMNS:
The Rev. Beth Stroud Trial Coverage
Stroud Trial Coverage –
all
articles are recommended reading in full:
Bishop John Schol of the Baltimore-Washington
Conference, a friend and former colleague who testified
on Stroud’s behalf, said he was “saddened that Beth’s
fitness for ministry has been questioned.”
But Schol said he believes “our love for one another and
the church is stronger than our disagreements.” Schol
wrote a unity statement that was overwhelmingly approved
by the 2004 General Conference, the denomination’s top
legislative assembly.
“Right now, many members of our congregation are
disappointed and angry and wonder what their continuing
role in the United Methodist Church might be,” said Alan
Symonette, co-lay leader of First Church. He added that
First Church must continue the struggle as the
“conscience of the church” on behalf of gays and
lesbians.
“We have no delight in finding a colleague guilty of the
charge,” said the Rev. Thomas Hall, church counsel, who
presented the conference’s case against Stroud. “In this
case, the evidence is clear and convincing.” He said the
trial court came to the proper decision “in this case
and at this time.”
By a 7-6 vote, the trial court decided that the Eastern
Pennsylvania Annual Conference should withdraw Stroud’s
ministerial credentials.
Hall suggested that since Stroud now cannot be appointed
under church law, the trial court should revoke her
ministerial credentials. He stressed that he was not
asking that Stroud be expelled or suspended and said she
could continue as a layperson in the United Methodist
Church.
The Rev. J. Dennis Williams, counsel for Stroud, said he
was glad to hear that the church counsel was not
suggesting she be expelled. Other possible penalties, he
noted, include the revoking of credentials or suspension
from office “or, says the (Book of) Discipline, you can
fix a lesser penalty.”
Stroud was asked whether she felt like a martyr. Drawing
on the Greek she learned in seminary, she said that
“martyr” means witness, a person who stands for what
they believe and gives testimony. “God created me as a
lesbian and God, knowing that about me, called me into
the ministry.”
The trial court returned with a verdict of guilty at
1:35 p.m. on Dec. 2. By a vote of 12-1, the jury in the
clergy trial of the Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud
found her guilty of the charge of engaging in “practices
incompatible with Christian teachings,” a violation of
Paragraph 2702 (1) (b) of the 2000 Book of Discipline.
By the same count of 12-1, she also was found guilty of
each of the four specifications related to the evidence
on that charge.
Under cross-examination, Hall asked Schol whether, as an
ordained pastor and a bishop, he took a vow to uphold
the order and discipline of the United Methodist Church.
When Schol responded affirmatively, Hall asked what
action he would take in this type of situation as a
bishop.
Schol said he had been thinking about it “because this
is a very challenging issue in our denomination.” He
added he is learning that a bishop needs to provide a
clear understanding for a healthy supervisory process
based on compassion, caring and finding truth in the
gospels. “As a bishop, one of my key roles is to make
sure that process works.”
In response, the Rev. J. Dennis Williams, counsel for
Stroud, alluded to what he would not be sharing with the
trial court. “There were witnesses we were prepared to
present and arguments we were prepared to make that you
will not hear,” he said.
He also questioned the need to even debate the issue of
homosexuality. “There is no evidence at all that Jesus
said anything on this matter, let alone condemned it,”
he declared. He suggested the trial court examine the
charge “in the light of the whole of the Discipline.”
“I believe God created me to be a lesbian,” Stroud said,
with her partner Chris Paige by her side. “I feel
profoundly that God called me into ministry in the
United Methodist Church.” She said she has tried to walk
as a person of faith, take risks and take a stand for
her beliefs.
Alan Symonette, Stroud’s assistant counselor and co-lay
leader of First United Methodist Church in Germantown,
said two issues are involved in Stroud’s defense, one
dealing with church law and the other with her ability
to follow her calling as an ordained minister.
The Rev. Beth Stroud outlines her defense during a press
conference at Camp Innabah in Pughtown, Pa
Stroud, “who happens to be gay and in a covenanted
relationship … has been called to ministry by God,” he
said. “We contend that the church should not depress
her, and the law is inconsistent with the denomination’s
constitution. It is separating Beth from who she is and
from her ability to practice ministry.”
“What we are doing here is calling attention to the
hypocrisy of the United Methodist Church’s slogan of
‘Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors,’ said Laura
Montgomery Rutt, Soulforce communications coordinator.
“It is not true. When you kick people out of the church
for telling the truth about who they are, (that) is also
hypocrisy. The church needs to open its heart, its mind
and its doors to God’s lesbian, gay and transgender
people.”
Offering another point of view was Karen Booth,
Millsboro, Del., and spokesperson for Transforming
Congregations and Good News, two groups that support the
United Methodist Church’s position on homosexuality.
The trial is an “opportunity to test the denomination’s
well, especially with the strengthening of our policy
after General Conference,” she said, using the word
“well” to refer to the depth of the church’s commitment
to its policy. “I believe that Beth’s supporters would
put the church’s policy on trial, but it is her
disobedience and defiance that is in trial.”
She said she hopes the trial is the beginning of a
“process of settling the issue of homosexuality and that
we will move on to doing ministry.”
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference:
Beth Stroud Case
Additional links at site (recommended reading, all
articles, in full):
Trial Court Brings Verdict of Guilty
12/3/2004
The Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud has been found
guilty of the charge against her and the trial court is
now deliberating (as of 2:00 pm) the penalty portion of
the case.
The Rev. Tom Hall, speaking for the Church, stressed
that this course of action would not mean result in her
expulsion from the church nor would it mean termination
of her membership. This way, according to Rev. Hall,
Rev. Stroud could continue her ministry in the church as
a member of the laity (congregation). Counsel
representative for Rev. Stroud, the Rev. Dr. J. Dennis
Williams, reviewed many of the options that the trial
court had, one of which was to find on a lesser penalty.
He revisited the testimonies regarding the integrity of
Rev. Stroud, her calling and the ministry that is vital
to her.
Pastoral Letter from Bishop Marcus Matthews regarding
the Beth Stroud Trial
12/3/2004
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.
Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud
12/2/2004
Bishop Joseph Yeakel Presides Over Trial
12/2/2004
Church Counsel Awaits Verdict
12/2/2004
Respondent's Make Their Case
12/2/2004
The trial of the Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud
continued this morning with the counsel for Rev. Stroud
presenting their case.
He [Bishop John Schol] talked about her character and
what a great pastor she was and shared that one of the
ten best sermons he has ever heard was given by Beth
during her last service at West Chester. He said that
she was serious about making Disciples of Jesus Christ
….
He [Rev. Alfred T. Day] said that she has been
everything the Cabinet could have expected a minister to
be. He also said that she has been faithful to the
sacred trust in ministry
Proceedings Scheduled For 1:30 p.m.
12/1/2004
The trial of Rev. Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud will
officially begin this afternoon, Dec. 1st.
Photo of Rev. Stroud and Chris Paige
12/1/2004
Church Council Presents Their Case
12/1/2004
The Church counsel, represented by Rev. Thomas Hall and
Robert Schoemaker, Jr., Esq., presented their case this
afternoon.
[Rev. Thomas Hall] The real issue here today is
"accountability." He went on to say that "a good,
effective pastor has violated a sacred trust" and that
we are charged, as ordained ministers in the United
Methodist Church, to hold each other accountable. He
concluded by reaffirming that as a Church, we should
"hold our colleague, 'lovingly,' accountable" but that
we were here to "uphold the sacred trust (that has been
placed in their hands as ordained ministers) at this
time and at this place."
Trial To Begin At 10:00 A.M.
11/30/2004
Bishop Matthews will open the trial with devotions at
10:00 a.m.
Conference Goals and Mission Statement for Beth Stroud
Trial
11/23/2004
FACTSHEET regarding case of Rev. Stroud
(very helpful background and description of the process)
10/29/2004
Bio of Retired Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel
10/26/2004
