Beth StroudStroud 's Credentials Stripped: Statement by Peggy R. Gaylord, Affirmation

For Immediate Release, December 3, 2004

The Rev. Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud (center) and her partner, Chris Paige (to Stroud's right), are surrounded by family and friends following Stroud's conviction in a United Methodist clergy trial at Camp Innabah in Pughtown, Pa. Stroud was charged with violating church law by being a "self-avowed practicing homosexual." Stroud's ministerial credentials were revoked by the trial court. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose, 12/2/04

Over and over, we heard of Beth Stroud's exceptional ministry; no one contested this. But they stripped her of her hard-earned ministerial credentials. What else could we expect of a jury whose pool had excluded self-avowed, practicing conscientious objectors to The Book of Discipline?

Over and over, we heard that Beth Stroud is an exceptional person of integrity and that her ministry is extraordinary. And yet, they did not leave her credentials intact so that she could more easily transfer as clergy to another denomination if she now chose, in the face of clear rejection from the The United Methodist Church, her family of origin. This is clearly a punitive attitude, not a loving and supportive one, not one of "open hearts, open minds, and open doors." The penalty is meant to continue to silence our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender laity and clergy. If she hadn't spoken the "unspeakable," she would still be a pastor in the UMC today.

And, while Beth Stroud is an exceptional pastor with extraordinary gifts, she is not, by far, the first nor the last. Many others of exceptional gifts and graces have been driven from the church either explicitly or implicitly-- self-selected United Methodist "good girls" and "good boys" who respond to the call and then quietly disappear without fussing when they realize their sexuality; those challenged and summarily dismissed at some point during their ordination process; clergy quietly transferred to another denomination if they will keep quiet; even those lost to suicide-- because how can one make sense of God's clear call to the United Methodist Church in the present United Methodist Church of rejection and religious and spiritual violence?

Ironically, many discovered their sexual orientation as they were walking closer to God in United Methodist "family gatherings," such as Sunday Schools, youth groups, Bible study, camps, retreats, and seminaries. Now they've been disowned. How dare the Church put rules and laws before the Holy Spirit?

Does no one remember Jesus' warning about the Pharisees? When will The United Methodist Church become the Church of Jesus Christ, the One who included ALL without exception, not the church of the 51% majority rule documented in The Book of Discipline every four years? The Discipline itself states that it is not to be considered either "sacrosanct" or "infallible."

Yes, as the prosecuting counsel stated, Beth Stroud will still have her call to ministry--but the Church has violated that call and has impeded how that call can be lived out. It is the United Methodist denomination's loss-- one more time. Raised, nurtured and mentored in the UMC, Beth is now cast out. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people will continue to be violated until the Church celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and realizes that the guidelines in the "standards" are not prerequisites to being filled with the Spirit. God will call Beth Stroud to new avenues of ministry, perhaps even calling her to appeal yesterday 's decision, as God has thus far clearly led her on her path to bring Light and expose how the Church is slamming the door on God's faithful people.

Until the UMC can live up to its avowed "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.", its media campaign should be loudly protested. The Church cannot boldly lie and continue to get away with it. We must be vigilant in bringing the Church to its own accountability and the accountability of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What would John Wesley say? What would Jesus, who was silent on homosexuality but abhorred religious injustices and spiritual abuse, do? The Holy Spirit calls us to love as Jesus loved and work to redeem what Jesus hated.

Rev. Peggy R. Gaylord, Co-Spokesperson
National Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns

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