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Beth Stroud's Appeal: Initial Report from Peggy Gaylord and Vivian Waltz, Affirmation ObserversFor Immediate Release, April 29, 2005
The United Methodist Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals has restored the clergy credentials of Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud. The committee's decision was announced on April 29. A church trial court on December 2, 2004, had found her guilty of violating church law and removed her credentials.
Peggy Gaylord and Vivian Waltz attended the proceedings as observers for Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns. The Rev. Gaylord, Co-spokesperson of Affirmation, said, "After waiting almost twenty-four hours for the Committee on Appeals to complete its deliberations and announce its decision, I started to feel hopeful that, maybe, something positive would come of this decision-- that discussion must be going on [in the committee review] and not just dead-ended. Still, it was with mixed surprise and relief that many of us heard their decision to reverse and set aside the former verdict and penalty."
"Not that the struggle is over, or Beth's struggle is over," she reflected, "but someone has heard that there are other spiritually-led perspectives... especially what it means to welcome full participation of everyone at all levels of the church. While we would love to be rejoicing at this 'victory,' it still feels like crumbs from the Church-- when we're hungry for the Bread of Life."
Following are some excerpts from press conference immediately following the committee's announcement of its decision, reported by Vivian Waltz, chair of the Communications Committee of Affirmation:
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Beth Stroud: "I am grateful to the committee for their hard work... [what] today's ruling means to me... [is that] in enforcing the rules and covenant with each other, the church is not free to disregard the standard of justice and inclusiveness that is in the gospel and our church... this is just one step in what may be a longer process, but the ruling today gives me hope that The United Methodist Church does have the resources to do justice... in the long run, I know the church will do justice...."
Question from reporter: What did you feel when you heard the words [of the decision]?
Stroud: "...I'm so glad I don't have to make the next decision [on an appeal]... this has been so long and hard... I felt relief and hope and encouraged."
Reporter: Yesterday you said if the ruling is in your favor, you will not be functioning as a pastor... is that true?
Stroud: "I will not exercise the functions of a pastor until the process has come to a complete conclusion... ordination is a sacred trust, not to be put on and taken off like a suit of clothes-- that trivializes it...."
Reporter: Does this decision give you confidence and hope... and will it move forward as a real debate in your church?
Stroud: "Yes, the ruling shows that the case and the concerns we brought were genuine and substantive."
Reporter: Yesterday you said [some lgbt] people [don't want to have anything to do with the church]...will this change as result of today's decision?
Stroud: "Yes...[this] sends a message of hope that our church, as divided as it is, does have the resources to do the right thing."
* * *
Amen and Amen!
__________
Corrections: Minor corrections in quotes from Beth Stroud made April 30, 2005, photo caption (spelling of "Hallam") on May 2, 2005.
Photo: Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud (center) listens to a reporter's question at a briefing April 28, following the public part of her hearing before the United Methodist Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals near Baltimore. Alan Symonette, Esq., her assistant counsel (left) and the Rev. Jim Hallam, lead counsel (right) stand on either side of her. Credit: Peggy Gaylord, April 28, 2005.
DIGEST OF CASE: The verdict and the penalty are reversed and set aside. Although the Committee believes that the evidence in support of the charge was overwhelming and would be sustained in the absence of legal error, the Committee's analysis of two particular questions of law compels it to conclude that legal error vitiates the verdict. First, it is the judgment of the Committee on Appeals that Judicial Council Decision No. 702, which binds this Committee, makes it legal error to try, convict and deprive a member in full connection of her right to an appointment pursuant to ¶¶ 304.3 and 2702.1(b) of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church when, as in this case, neither the General Conference nor the pertinent Annual Conference has defined the words "practicing homosexual" and "status." Second, legal error was committed by trying and convicting Appellant on the basis of ¶ 304.3 because that provision constitutes a "new standard or rule of doctrine" which has not been declared by the General Conference to be "'not contrary to' the present standards," in violation of the First Restrictive Rule and ¶ 102 of the Discipline. The complete decision is available in PDF format (217K).
As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community. We affirm a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.
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