Evangelical Coalition To Disobedient Pro-homosexuality Bishops: "We're Watching You!" (CUMA Press Release) - September 13, 2000

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DC Court To Hear Case Of UM Social Agency's Abuse Of Legal Trust To Promote Homosexuality, Conservative UM Accountability Group Will Have Their Say - October 11, 2008

(03/12/10) The D.C. Judge has remained silent. There has been no decision from the court 14 months after promised.  The decision still hangs in D.C Superior Court "Limbo" more than a year later.

UM Agency's Financial Abuse Of Trust Funds Still Hangs In D.C Superior Court "Limbo" - March 20, 2009

In 2007, the Western North Carolina Conference overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on the Board to comply with the “purpose stated in the Trust and use Restricted Funds for the work on temperance and alcohol related problems” (see “Petition 34″ here—PDF).
 

The resolution asserted that the Board has not “followed either the letter of the trust or the spirit of its founders as it has expended a large portion of the funds from the trust (approximately $2 million annually) on items and programs not in accordance with the requirements of the trust.”

District of Columbia Superior Court associate judge Rhonda Reid Winston (PDF), a graduate of the Duke University School of Law, is the presiding judge in the case.

The case went to trial Oct. 6, 2008 and Judge Rhonda Reid Winston heard final arguments on Oct. 22. Attorneys are working on final summary statements, which are due to the judge Jan. 8, 2009. After the judge reviews those statements, she will issue a decision.
 

Complaints Against Defiant UM Clergy Performing Homosexual Wedding Ceremonies In California Will Go To Church High Court - July 21, 2008

UM High Court Says "No, No" To Pro-homosexuality Bishop And Conferences That Changed Church Law To Perform Same-Sex Marriages - April 28, 2009

United Methodist clergy cannot perform same-sex marriages, even in states where such unions are legal or the ceremonies are endorsed by a regional church group.

The Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, ruled at its spring meeting that it is a chargeable offense for United Methodist clergy to perform ceremonies celebrating same-sex unions.

The ruling overturned resolutions from two annual conferences supporting clergy who perform same-gender marriages.

In the case of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, the council affirmed Bishop Beverly J. Shamana’s decision voiding a resolution passed by the regional group backing retired pastors who perform same-gender marriages.

“An annual conference may not legally negate, ignore or violate provisions of the (Book of) Discipline with which they disagree, even when the disagreements are based on conscientious objections to the provisions,” the council ruled.

Council member Belton Joyner Jr. filed a dissenting opinion.

In a separate decision, the council reversed California-Pacific Conference Bishop Mary Ann Swenson’s ruling supporting a conference resolution recognizing “the pastoral need and prophetic authority of our clergy and congregations to offer the ministry of marriage ceremonies for same-gender couples.”

Previous complaints have failed in UM Church rulings in favor of violating the trust to promoting homosexuality in official agency magazine in 2001.

In spring 2007, five individuals, supported by the Coalition for United Methodist Accountability, were allowed by the judge to join the case as interveners. The coalition comprises the Institute on Religion and Democracy, Good News and the Confessing Movement, unofficial groups that are frequently at odds with the Board of Church and Society over its advocacy work on social issues.

During discussion around Phoenix in the Baltimore-Washington executive clergy session, two requests were made for the bishop’s decision of law. The first asked whether a name change based on a change of gender identity should be listed in a category which requires no discussion or approval, or whether it should be placed under another disciplinary area that requires consent and recommendation by the conference Board of Ordained Ministry. The second asked whether transgender persons are eligible for appointment in The United Methodist Church. - August 8, 2007

UM High Court To Rule On She-Male Pastors, Fornication Benefits, Sodomite Recruiting - October 10, 2007

In his ruling, Bishop Schol wrote that "There are no paragraphs in the 2004 Book of Discipline that prevent transgender clergy from serving in an appointment."
  The Judicial Council automatically reviews all bishops’ decisions of law, as is required by the Book of Discipline. - August 8, 2007

  Mark Tooley, director of the United Methodist Action Committee for the Institute on Religion and Democracy, ... believes Johnson's suspension could eventually be nullified. "This case ... will go before the denomination's Judicial Council, the top church court, at their meeting in October," he notes. "So possibly, and maybe even likely, the Judicial Council will overturn Bishop Kammerer's decision."
   According to Tooley, the homosexual man involved is proud and unrepentant of his sinful lifestyle, and seemingly wants to make himself a test case against the church's teachings. That being the case, the IRD spokesman says Pastor Johnson was justified in denying the man membership.

Faithful Pastor And UM Church Law Lose Again To Sexually Active Homosexual - April 5, 2007

   The pastor of a Virginia United Methodist church has granted membership to the gay man whose 2005 denial of membership by the previous pastor prompted controversy across the denomination on the issues of homosexuality and pastoral authority.
   Burkholder [new pastor] said he based his decision to receive the man into membership on the council's ruling, the criteria for membership found in Paragraph 214 of the 2004 Book of Discipline and the invitation for membership found in the Service of Word and Table 1 of the United Methodist Hymnal.

Unrepentant Active Homosexual "In" And Faithful Pastor "Out" Despite UM High Church Ruling - March 31, 2007

   The homosexual man who precipitated the two year national controversy over the Rev. Ed Johnson has been accepted as a member at South Hill United Methodist Church in South Hill, Virginia by Rev. Johnson’s successor. Two years ago, then pastor Ed Johnson had declined immediate church membership for the homosexual man, who was cohabitating with his same-sex partner. Bishop Charlene Kammerer intervened, demanding immediate church membership for the homosexual man. When Johnson refused, the bishop put him on unpaid administrative leave.

UM Higher Education Agency To Gather Denomination's "brightest" To Make Statement Opposing Church High Court's Ruling To Uphold High Court's Ruling To Uphold Church Law In Virginia Homosexual Case - November 14, 2006

The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry will gather a diverse group of bishops, seminary professors and pastors to probe the implications of Judicial Council decisions that upheld the right of the Rev. Ed Johnson, pastor of South Hill (Va.) United Methodist Church, to deny membership to a practicing gay man.

After the group considers papers dealing with the theological implications of the rulings, the members will attempt to craft a statement outlining the results of their deliberation. The statement may include points of disagreement or agreement, agreed-upon insights or conclusions, as well as any desire for further dialogue.

Pro-homosexuality UMs Fight Church Law And High Court's Decision In High Court, Again, Again, Again,....... - October 7, 2006

Two docket items [see below] at this session of the Judicial Council directly affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (lgbt) United Methodists and their families. The powerful witness of local reconciling people will both hold the council accountable to our faith and affirm that we are permanently and powerfully part of our UM family by our baptism.

UM Bishops Disappointed With High Court's Upholding Church Law - Vows To Undermine It At Next Gathering Of Church Lawmakers - May 4, 2005
   Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, of the Texas Annual Conference, said she was disappointed that the church court did not vote to reconsider the rulings, but said she "respects the Judicial Council and their process." Huie began a two-year term as president of the denomination's Council of Bishops this month.
    "I agree that this larger issue belongs to the church, and the proper place for the debate to continue is in our church, specifically at the 2008 General Conference," she said. "We will continue our dialogue on how the church responds to homosexuals."

United Methodist Court Reaffirms Ruling in Gay Church Membership Case - Pro-homosexuality Bishop Relocates Faithful Pastor To Make Room For Active Homosexuals - May 3, 2006
  The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council has refused to reconsider its ruling in favor of a local pastor who would not grant immediate church membership to an unrepentant active homosexual in his congregation.
   Earlier this year, Johnson was informed that Bishop Kammerer would be relocating him to a different church in June, even though Johnson’s church had requested that he remain.


Denominational Factions File Dueling Briefs To Keep/Undo High Court Rulings Regarding Homosexuality
  FULL TEXT: Brief filed against reconsideration of Judicial Council Decision 1032
  FULL TEXT: Brief filed against reconsideration of Judicial Council Decision 1031
  FULL TEXT: Brief filed for reconsideration of Judicial Council Decisions 1031, 1032


UM Bishop To Sneak Unrepentant Homosexual Into Membership At Virginia UM Church In Spite Of High Court Ruling - January 26, 2006
  Gavin [unrepentant homosexual] is healing from a broken leg, thanks to an out-of-control snowboarder. He's saying he's going to join Calvary and transfer his membership back to SHill b/c the Bishop said Ed Johnson could not stop that transfer. We'll see.


Rebuked Bishop Restores Faithful Pastor, But Sends In Pro-homosexuality "Goon Squad" To Assure Pastor's Right To Deny Membership Is Not Carried Out - November 17, 2005

   A team of trained Conference leaders will go to the church at the appropriate time for facilitating healing and moving forward with their ministries.

   The Judicial Council has made its rulings that affect the Virginia Conference by a 4-3 majority vote*, with three members dissenting. The Council of Bishops has unanimously approved and issued a Pastoral Letter to the people called United Methodist that disagrees with the rulings. It is important to remember that we have the Judicial Council, the Council of Bishops, and the General Conference that serve as checks and balances in our democratic form of polity as The United Methodist Church.

UM Bishop's Council Issues Statement Rejecting High Court Ruling - Pastors Must Obey Bishop And Accept Gays - November 3, 2005

  While pastors have the responsibility to discern readiness for membership, homosexuality is not a barrier...
  We also affirm our Wesleyan practice that pastors are accountable to the bishop, superintendent, and the clergy on matters of ministry and membership.

Faithful UM Pastors CAN Deny Membership To Unrepentant Homosexuals - October 31, 2005

  The decisions of law of Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer are reversed. The 2004 Discipline invests discretion in the pastor-in-charge to make the determination of a person’s readiness to affirm the vows of membership (¶ 217). Paragraphs 214 and 225 are permissive and do not mandate receipt into membership of all persons regardless of their willingness to affirm membership vows.

UM High Court Decision: Suspended Faithful UM Pastor To Be Reinstated - Conference Ministry Board and Bishop Violated Pastor's "Fair Hearing" Rights - October 31, 2005

  The decision of law of Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer is reversed. This case is remanded to the Virginia Annual Conference to terminate forthwith the involuntary leave of absence of the Elder.
  The Conference Relations Committee of the Conference Board of Ordained ministry had no authority to consider to a judicial complaint. The Board’s authority extends to consideration of remedial or other action on an administrative complaint. The Board of Ordained Ministry transformed an allegation determined by the Bishop to be the basis for an administrative complaint into a chargeable offense and as such did not have disciplinary authority to consider the complaint. The Clergy Session’s action in approving involuntary leave of absence based on specifications supporting a chargeable offense is null and void.
  The Elder is entitled to reinstatement to the status he held immediately prior to the action placing him on involuntary leave of absence. The Elder is entitled to receive immediate appointment an all salary and other benefits retroactive to July 1, 2005.

"First of all, I want to tell you about a very important person that most of you haven't had a chance to know. That person is my partner, Chris Paige. Chris and I have lived together in a covenant relationship for two and a half years." ―Beth Stroud

Lesbian Pastor goes "in your face" with new website promoting her homosexuality.
Website for Beth Stroud - bethstroud.info

In a Sept. 9 letter to the committee’s chairperson, the Rev. Kent E. Kroehler of Lancaster, [Bishop]Yeakel said the committee’s 5-3 vote on July 23 to file a charge against Stroud did not meet requirements of both church law and rulings of the denomination’s top court, the Judicial Council.

The bishop also declared the committee "was not properly constituted to adopt either the charge or specifications" in the case against Stroud, who serves as associate pastor of First United Methodist Church of Germantown. Yeakel said a statement from members of the committee, supporting the specification in the case but against bringing a charge, is contrary to an October 2003 Judicial Council decision stemming from a Washington state case.

A Publicly Professed Sexually Active Lesbian UM Pastor May Have To Be Tried As A Professed Sexually Active Lesbian UM Pastor - July, 30, 2004

The Committee on Investigation of The United Methodist Church’s Eastern Pennsylvania Conference voted July 23 that there was enough evidence to send the case of Beth Stroud, FUMCOG’s associate pastor, to a church trial.

Pennsylvania Lesbian Pastor Beth Sroud Complaint Moves to Judicial Process - July, 21, 2004

Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference Lesbian UM Pastor Comes Out Of the Closet, Too
  After a year of discussions with Bishop Peter Weaver (Philadelphia Area), the Rev. Beth Stroud, associate pastor of First UMC in Germantown, Pa., will appear July 23 before an investigating committee in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference to see if enough evidence exists for a church trial on charges that she is violating church law. In a sermon to parishioners in April 2003, she admitted her sexual orientation and living arrangements.

Confessed Practicing Lesbian UM Pastor Reinstated As Pastor After Appeal - April 30, 2005

  Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud, who was found guilty of violating United Methodist church law for being a practicing lesbian and lost her clergy credentials last December, won her appeal in a decision announced April 29.
  The appeals committee upheld part of the trial court’s finding but overturned the verdict in an 8-1 vote, citing legal errors.

The Pro-homosexuality UM Soap Opera Continues: Defrocked Lesbian Beth Stroud Advances April 28 Appeal Hearing as another Grandstanding Multimedia Event - February 19, 2005

Convicted, Defrocked Lesbian UM Pastor Who Remains UM Pastor In Spite Of Conviction And Defrocking To Appeal Conviction To Become Convicted "Frocked" Lesbian UM Pastor - December 18 2004

   She decided last week to appeal but delayed the announcement until after Christmas weekend: Notice of appeal must be filed this week.
   She said one factor in her decision was something retired Bishop Joseph Yeakel, the judge who presided at her church trial, said to her after the verdict. Yeakel told Stroud "the day will come when the church apologizes for this decision."

Convicted, Defrocked Lesbian UM Pastor Goes "In Your Face" - Keeps Her "Frock" And Remains In Pulpit - December 13, 2004
     "It was weird: all through that hard experience, with all that was overwhelming and sad and unreal and new and absurd about it, I felt – for the most part – really pretty good."

Convicted, Defrocked Lesbian UM Pastor To Continue Ministry to UM Congregation As Convicted Defrocked Lesbian Pastor - December 6, 2004

The trial court — or jury — of 13 clergy members voted 7-6 to withdraw her credentials. “In the divided vote, I feel the dividedness of the church, but I feel hopeful,” Stroud said. She considers the trial to be a “teaching moment” for the denomination, she said.

Despite being unable to perform the sacraments, Stroud said she is eager to continue her ministry at First United Methodist Church in Germantown, Pa. — where she had been an associate pastor since 1999 — as a layperson.

Lesbian UM Pastor Convicted Of Violating Church Law

A jury made up of United Methodist Church clergy convicted a lesbian minister Thursday of violating church law by openly living with her partner in a lesbian sexual relationship.

Dan Johnson and Bill Hinson became the first gay couple ever married in the sanctuary of a United Methodist Church on Sunday [Feb. 15]. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, at the church she has served for 12 years -- Bethany UMC in San Francisco -- during the regular morning worship.

Johnson and Hinson, partners for 12 years and members of Bethany, said they could have chosen to be married in San Francisco City Hall, but wanted a church wedding. Marriages of gay and lesbians couples were declared legal in San Francisco by Mayor Gavin Newsom last week.

Complaint Filed Against SF UM Pastor In Homosexual Marriage Ceremonies - Bishop, Who Changed Her Name To Pagan Priest, Dodges Issue - February 25, 2004
   A complaint has been filed against a Methodist pastor who performed a marriage ceremony for two gay men in San Francisco last week.
   KCBS reporter Bob Butler says Pastor Dr. Karen Oliveto with Bethany United Methodist Church performed the ceremony during church services. Someone then filed a complaint accusing her of disobeying church doctrine.
   Oliveto said that doctrine was written three decades ago, and times have changed.

Pagan Bishop Resolves Complaints Against UM Clergy Women For Performing Homosexual Marriages By Blessing Her New Position In Charge Of Ministerial Students!!!??? - October 5, 2004
  Beverly Shamana [Bishop changed her name to means pagan priestess], bishop of The United Methodist Church's California Nevada Annual Conference, told Oliveto and PSR this week that "the complaint has been resolved in a manner consistent with the 2000 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. The goal of the Book of Discipline is reconciliation and resolution, and this goal has been achieved."

William McKinney, president of PSR, says, "We are delighted that Karen has returned to PSR and look forward to her role in preparing the next generation of courageous leaders for The United Methodist Church and its partner denominations. Karen's actions throughout the year have embodied PSR's core values, including compassion and justice for people of all genders, sexual orientations and races, and mutual respect in our partnerships with faith communities. She has practiced the kind of leadership we aim to develop in our students."

San Fran's UM Clergy, Karen Oliveto, Charged for Performing Most Recent Homosexual Marriage, Moves On To Bigger And Other Things - Formal complaint to be hidden in another UMC closet - July 21, 2004

UM Pastor marries her lesbian sexual partner - March 15, 2004
Dammann has taken a leave of absence and she and her family have moved to the Oregon coast, hoping to escape the spotlight -- and stress -- leading up to the trial, which starts Wednesday. On Thursday, she and Savage were married in Portland.

Bishop Elias Galvan initiated the complaint and an investigation after a ruling in October 2001 from the denomination's highest judicial body, the Judicial Council.- December 19, 2001

Homosexual Pastors Remain in UMC Pulpits, While Pacific Northwest Pro-homosexual Leadership "Goes Through the Motions" of Disciplinary Actions - December 18, 2001

High Court Rules Ban On Practicing Homosexual Clergy Stands, But Leaves Loop Hole For Un-faithful Pro-homosexuality AC's To Rule Such Clergy Fit - October 29, 2001

Karen Dammann trial questions and answers (UMNS) - March 3, 2004

Lesbian UM Pastor's Trial To Be Made A Public Spectacle To Promote Homosexuality
  The church trial of the Rev. Karen Dammann will be open to the public. Presiding bishop, William Boyd Grove, announced that, following a closed session in which the jury will be selected, observers will be allowed to be present for the trial. Church law specifies that trials will be closed unless the clergy person under charges requests an open trial.

Investigation Committee Member Resigns And Active Lesbian UM Pastor To Go To Trial After Three Years - January 14, 2003
  Bishop Galvan will designate another Bishop to convene and preside at a trial court sometime during 2004. Jurors will be selected from a pool of clergy persons named by the district superintendents of the conference.

Pro-homosexuality Annual Conference Officials Refuse To Try Open Lesbian Pastor, Again - December 18, 2003
  Des Moines, WA-- For the second time this year, a committee of her clergy peers has declined to send the Rev. Karen Dammann to a church trial, which could eject her from the ordained ministry. At least, not yet. She is pastor of the Ellensburg (WA) United Methodist Church.
  "Today the postponement of decision was about more than me," Ms. Dammann told RMN. While the committee's testimony and discussions are secret, she admitted: "Several on the committee seemed to believe that even the national Judicial Council does not have the authority to direct the verdict which a Conference Committee must make."

Pro-homosexuality UM Conference Leadership Assures Lesbian Pastor She'll Remain in Pulpit Indefinitely While Liberal-stacked Committees Play Games with Rules - October 29, 2003
  The court also said it was retaining jurisdiction "for the purpose of ensuring that its decision is implemented."
  The court seems to have taken a new step in defining its own role and that of the annual conference in overseeing the judicial process, Stanovsky said. Clearly, she said, the Judicial Council members "were dissatisfied with procedural matters. Clearly, they are wanting to exercise more influence at the annual conference level than they have in the past."
  However, she said, she didn’t hear the Judicial Council take away the committee on investigation’s responsibility for determining grounds for a church trial. "I wouldn’t say (a trial) is a certainty" in Dammann’s case, she said.

UM High Court Rules Homosexually Active Lesbian Pastor Remains In Good Standing, Pro-homosexuality Lower Court Must Rule Again and Again Until They Get It Right....Right! - October 28, 2003
  Dammann, a sexually active lesbian, remains in "good standing" as a pastor until the two previous pro-homosexuality committees on investigation, who dismissed charges against her once, rule again. If they rule the same, again, these same committees will have to rule on complaints against themselves for not ruling correctly...Right!!
  If they do not rule correctly on themselves, as they did with Dammann, the Judicial Council will again remand it back to the same committees to rule correctly.

Sexually Active Lesbian Pastor OK'd For Pastor Goes To Church High Court - March 3, 2003
The case of the Rev. Karen Dammann, a pastor accused of violating United Methodist law by living in a lesbian relationship, is going to the church’s supreme court.

Confessed Practicing Lesbian UM Pastor OK'd To Say As Pastor With Lesbian Lover By Disobedient Western Jurisdiction - February 2, 2003
The United Methodist Church’s Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals, meeting Jan. 29-30 in Seattle, voted 4-3 to affirm the dismissal of the charge against the Rev. Karen Dammann. The ruling upholds a July 24 decision by the Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference Committee on Investigation.

Confessed Lesbian Pastor's Church Trial Acquittal By Pro-homosexuality Annual Conference To Be Visited Again By Pro-homosexuality Jurisdiction - January 19, 2003
     The Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals will consider an appeal in the case against the Rev. Karen Dammann in a closed hearing January 29-30. A complaint was filed against Rev. Dammann in 2001, referring to her disclosure to Bishop Elias Galvan and clergy colleagues [at Annual Conference and local newspapers] that she is "living in a partnered, covenanted homosexual relationship with another woman." Bishop Galvan referred the complaint to the judicial process of the church. The first step in the judicial process was a closed hearing by the Committee on Investigation of the Pacific Northwest Conference.
     Last year the Committee on Investigation of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the church dismissed the charge. The counsel for the church in the matter filed an appeal, claiming that "egregious errors of church law" has been committed by the Committee on Investigation.

Lesbian Pastor's "Good Standing" Decision Now Passed to the Western Jurisdiction Appeal Board Are there any leaders in that jurisdiction to stand for accountability? We'll See!
     Leaders in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference appealed last month's dismissal of charges against the Rev. Karen Dammann on grounds that "egregious errors of church law or administration" were made by an investigating committee deciding the pastor's fate. - September 5, 2002

After a church investigative committee dealt another setback for opponents of Gay and Lesbian clergy last week, the head of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church has intervened to "review" the decision not to prosecute Rev. Karen Dammann, a former Seattle minister who came out as a Lesbian on Valentine’s Day, 2001.
     During her tenure at Woodland Park [UMC] from 1996 to 1999 Dammann began a relationship with her partner, Meredith Savage, and had a son together.[?] The family has lived in western Massachusetts for the past two years.

In another decision that puts the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church at odds with the larger church, an investigative committee of the conference has dismissed a complaint against the Rev. Karen Dammann, a lesbian minister accused of violating church law prohibiting "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from being ordained or serving as pastors. That means Dammann, who had served as pastor at Seattle's Woodland Park United Methodist Church, remains a minister in good standing and won't have to face church trial.

UM High Court reverses ruling; saying that homosexual pastors can stay in church appointments at the Bishop's discretion, despite prohibitions forbidding openly gay ordination.

Where is CUMA in all this?  They seem to have shrunk from their calling.

  The decision of the Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals is reversed, and the action of the Pacific Northwest Committee on Investigation not to certify a bill of charges is set aside. This matter is remanded to the Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals with direction to its president that the matter be remanded to the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Committee on Investigation for a new hearing on the agreed facts. In fairness to all parties, the remand must occur expeditiously. Should members of the Pacific Northwest Committee on Investigation be unwilling to uphold the Discipline for reasons of conscience or otherwise, such members must step aside in this matter and either alternate members or others who are willing to uphold the Discipline must be appointed to the Committee to enable it to complete its responsibility. Likewise, once a bill of charges is certified, persons who state that they cannot in good conscience uphold the Discipline are ineligible to serve on a trial jury. The Judicial Council retains jurisdiction over this matter for the purpose of ensuring that its decision is implemented. The Committee on Investigation shall report its action to the Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals within forty-eight hours after reaching a decision. The Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals shall transmit the decision to the secretary of the Judicial Council within twenty-four hours of its receipt.

Pro-homosexuality Annual Conference Officials Refuse To Try Open Lesbian Pastor, Again - December 18, 2003
  Des Moines, WA-- For the second time this year, a committee of her clergy peers has declined to send the Rev. Karen Dammann to a church trial, which could eject her from the ordained ministry. At least, not yet. She is pastor of the Ellensburg (WA) United Methodist Church.
  "Today the postponement of decision was about more than me," Ms. Dammann told RMN. While the committee's testimony and discussions are secret, she admitted: "Several on the committee seemed to believe that even the national Judicial Council does not have the authority to direct the verdict which a Conference Committee must make."

Methodist Pastors, Laity Seek Bishop's Removal (Agape Press)  - January 16, 2003

A group of United Methodist clergy and laypeople has filed a complaint against Bishop C. Joseph Sprague of Chicago, calling for his removal based on comments that he made about Christ’s divinity last year.

Twenty-eight people from 11 annual conferences, including six of the 12 annual conferences in the North Central Jurisdiction, have signed the complaint. The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, group spokesman and pastor of Faith Community United Methodist Church in Greenville, Wis., announced the filing Jan. 7.

The group cites comments made by Sprague in a Jan. 28, 2002, speech at United Methodist-related Iliff School of Theology in Denver and in his recent book, Affirmations of a Dissenter, published by Abingdon Press.

1) dissemination of doctrines contrary to the established standards of doctrine of the United Methodist Church and

2) disobedience to the order and discipline of the church.

The bishop allegedly violated the order and discipline of the United Methodist Church by using his office "to undermine and overturn the apostolic faith and the theological traditions of the United Methodist Church." The Book of Discipline requires bishops "to teach and uphold the theological traditions of The United Methodist Church."

Bishop's Heresy Charges Dismissed: Liberal UM and Renewal Groups Leaders Design End To Laity Protest - Closely controlled dialogues planned ad infinitum; grassroots-led debates forbidden - February 19, 2003
   United Methodist Bishop Bruce B. Ough, president of the church’s North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops, has announced that complaints filed against Bishop C. Joseph Sprague of Chicago have been dismissed.
   A four-person supervisory response team met in January and February to review the complaints and respond to them.

UM Minister Says Bishop Sprague Will Never Face Trial - February 3, 2003
     A United Methodist minister predicts UM Bishop Joseph Sprague will never go to trial on charges that he violated the teachings of the church. Donald E. Wildmon, an ordained UM minister, says that the charges against Sprague will be dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

 "If words could get things done, we'd have nothing to do." -- Editor

• interfering with and disrupting the proceedings of the recent General Conference
• dissemination of doctrines contrary to the established standards of doctrine of the church
• using church funds and resources of his office for the promotion of homosexuality
• failure to perform the work of the ministry

New Charges Filed Against Bishop Sprague: "United Methodist Layman Files Church Judicial Charges Against Northern Illinois Bishop, Calls For Removal"

Charges Dismissed

A conference spokesman said Bishop Galvan will rule within 30 days. His ruling does not become final until reviewed by the Judicial Council, the denomination's high court. The council next meets Oct. 23-26 at a site to be determined. Meetings of the Judicial Council are closed unless the council grants public access, which typically occurs during oral arguments.

Methodists Deny Transgender's Request to Return as Pastor - June 13, 2002

Complaint Filed Against Sex Changed UM Minister - June 11, 2002
     A complaint has been filed against a Maryland minister who had a sex-change operation during a leave of absence from church duties, possibly affecting her availability for pastoral appointment.
     Bishop May, decided to put Steen on an involuntary leave of absence while his-her case is being reviewed.

Homosexual Pastors Remain in UMC Pulpits, While Pacific Northwest Pro-homosexual Leadership "Goes Through the Motions" of Disciplinary Actions - December 18, 2001

High Court Rules Ban On Practicing Homosexual Clergy Stands, But Leaves Loop Hole For Un-faithful Pro-homosexuality AC's To Rule Such Clergy Fit - October 29, 2001

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, and anti-Church UM's Rejoice Over Rulings That Allow Homosexually Active Clergy Despite Church Law Ban - June 4, 2002

Openly Gay Pastor "Not Guilty" Because Pro-homosexuality Committee Drops Charges, Continues In Pulpit - June 1, 2002

"This gives tremendous encouragement to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals in the ministry who realize that if they won't testify against themselves, it will be very hard to make charges against them stick."

UM High Court [Re-] Ruling To Allow Pro-homosexuality Bishops To Ignore Church Law Prohibition Of  Homosexually Active Clergy - May 2, 2002

UM High Court reverses ruling; saying that homosexual pastors can stay in church appointments at the Bishop's discretion, despite prohibitions forbidding openly gay ordination.

Where is CUMA in all this?  They seem to have shrunk from their calling.

Pro-Homosexuality UM Agency Promoting Reprints Of Their Magazine Endorsing Homosexuality - April 9, 2001

UM Finance Agency Declines To Act Against Pro-Homosexuality UM Magazine (UMAction) - March 13, 2001

Church Agency Mag Promoting Homosexuality Not Guilty Of Promoting Homosexuality - March 10, 2001

Accountability Coalition Charges Against Pro-homosexuality UM Publication Dismissed By Bishop - March 10, 2001

Bishop Decides In Favor Of Pro-homosexuality Agency - March 10, 2001

• perjury

Complaints Filed by Katie Frazer who was assaulted by Rev. Sailers homosexual partner.

Pastor Acquitted Because He Did Not "Intend" To Perjure To Protect Gay Partner From Conviction In Assault Of Older UM Women  - 3/23/2001

UM Credibility Takes Big Hit By Refusing To Discipline Gay Pastor For False Witness In Case Involving His Same-sex Spouse's Assault Of Older Woman - February 27, 2001

Church won't discipline pastor (Seattle Times) February 18, 2001

Convicted Homosexual Pastor Not Guilty Of Any Church Offense In Perjury Involving Gay Partner's Assault On A UM Women - February 16, 2001

• perjury
• engaging in homosexual conduct
• immorality
• failure to perform the work of the ministry
• sexual harassment
• sexual misconduct

A bizarre case of perjury and deception confronts United Methodism in the Pacific Northwest (GoodNews) - October 19, 2000

Homosexually Active Pastor Faces Criminal Perjury Charges And Church Complaints, Arson Suspected - July 9, 2000

Convicted Homosexual Pastor Not Guilty Of Any Church Offense In Perjury Involving Gay Partner's Assault On A UM Women - February 16, 2001

Homosexual Pastor Restored To Pulpit After Conviction of Perjury In Case Involving His Homosexual Partner - August 10, 2000

Disobedient Pastor And Counsel Celebrate UM's Lack Of Accountability For Homosexual Unions - March 10, 2001

Charges Dismissed For Publicized Same-Sex Union Because Disobedient UM Pastor And Witnesses Did Not Show Up At Hearing! - March 1, 2001

Methodists Headed Toward 3rd Same-Sex Covenant Trial - October 25, 2000

  The trial could come as early as next month, Bishop Rhymes Moncure Jr. of Lincoln said Tuesday.
  Although the Nebraska conference's Committee on Investigation hasn't made a final ruling as to whether a trial is warranted, Moncure said, "at this point, it's headed down that path."

• Paragraphs 432.2, 432.2e and 433.5a, the Bishop is required to be pastorally sensitive and conscientious toward the Pastor's family, consulting with and considering the needs of the Pastor's family in making appointments.
• Paragraphs 430, 431 and 432 of the Book of Discipline stipulate both the process and criteria for making appointments in our Church.
• Paragraph 66 (C), says, "In particular, children must be protected from economic, physical, and sexual exploitation and abuse." Bishop Huie failed to lend me the authority and support of her office through the Superintendent in order to address and resolve the controversy surrounding the activity of a pedophile in the Amboy church.

• Bishop Dismisses Complaints In Arkansas Pedophile Youth Worker Case, Except Against The Pastor Who Filed Them - February 27, 2001

• Bishop Dismisses Charges Against Superintendent For Protecting Pedophile Scout Leader - January 27, 2001

• Complaints Against Arkansas Pastor Reconsidered, Pastor's Complaints Against Bishop To Be Considered - December 11, 2000

• Complaint Against Arkansas Bishop Moves Forward In Evangelical Pastor vs. Pedophile Boy Scout Leader Tangle

January 27, 2001 - The Board of Ordained Ministry, saying they did not want to break ministerial covenant with me, nevertheless is recommending that I be placed on Administrative Location, subject to vote of the Annual Conference.

• Bishop Dismisses Complaints In Arkansas Pedophile Youth Worker Case, Except Against The Pastor Who Filed Them - February 27, 2001Bishop Dismisses Charges Against Superintendent For Protecting Pedophile Scout Leader - January 27, 2001

• Complaints Against Arkansas Pastor Reconsidered, Pastor's Complaints Against Bishop To Be Considered - December 11, 2000
• Committee "Rush" To Dismiss Arkansas Pastor For Exposing Pedophile Scout Leader May Be Reconsidered - November 17, 2000
• Hinton asked to surrender credentials by Board of Ordainded Ministry
• Put on Leave without pay by Bishop  pending investigattion

CLINTON — A new complaint has been filed against the United Methodist minister who admitted performing a same-sex union ceremony 14 months ago.

Terry E. Stubenrod of Benton has accused the Rev. Susan Davenport, pastor of Brown Memorial United Methodist Church, of being in a lesbian relationship. Stubenrod claims Davenport is living in the church parsonage with her lesbian partner. Stubenrod, a member of the church, also filed the previous complaint with the bishop of New England....continued Bangor Daily News 

Published Witchcraft Practice of "Croning" In UM Publication By UM Ministers Nancy Webb and Mary Kraus Leads To Complaints–Possible Cover-up Leads To Complainants "Going Public"

• paragraph 2624.1.b, for engaging in practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings,
• paragraph 2624.1.f, for disseminating doctrines contrary to the established standards of doctrine of the Church, and
• paragraph 2624.1.g, for engaging in relationships and/or behavior that undermines the ministry of another pastor.

     Bishop May Dismisses Charges Against Bishop And Clergy For Practicing And Publishing Witchcraft Ceremonies because the complainants made their case public after an alleged  three year cover-up.

Bishop May said that the complainants did not presented enough of a case for him to move the complaint on either to trial or to the Baltimore-Washington Board of Ordained Ministry.
     The decision is not in writing.
     All participants in the Supervisory meetings were put under a "gag order" (Discipline paragraph 358.b).

• Bishop Swenson refuses To Discipline Rev. Toni Cook, pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Denver for performing same-sex marriages

• Swenson "supported" a lecture by a controversial theologian, Marcus Borg, at United Methodist-related Iliff School of Theology who teaches doctrines contrary to the United Methodist Church

No Charges Filed

• Bishop Swenson, however, said she believed the charges were based on Mr. Brown's personal animosity toward her, saying she has felt Mr. Brown's "rage against me" for a number of years and that the filing of charges was simply another effort to get her to resign.

• The bishop also said she is "not aware of actualities or specifics" of Ms. Cook's ministry at St. Paul's but "there's been no criticism of her work by the superintendent or her congregation."

Complaints against Bishop Talbert dismissed (UMNS)