Jimmy Creech
On September 14, 1997 the Reverend Jimmy Creech (right), then senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska performed a covenant service for two women. A United Methodist church trial court did not convict him. On April 24, 1999, Jimmy Creech co-officiated at a covenant service for two men. A United Methodist church trial court convicted him and removed his clergy credentials. See historical background below.
News and Background
2002
2001
2000
- Rev. Jimmy Creech Joins Soulforce as Chairperson of the Board Of Directors, Soulforce, October 9, 2000.
- Jimmy Creech on Larry King Live: Should Same-Sex Couples Get the Same Rights and Recognition as Straight Ones? Aired May 2, 2000 - 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Defender of Creech Gets Pulpit, Omaha World-Herald, March 18, 2000
The United Methodist pastor who defended Jimmy Creech at his first church trial in Nebraska will take over Creech's old pulpit in July. The Rev. Doug Williamson has been named senior pastor at First United Methodist Church.
- First Methodist Church Joins Gay-Friendly Group, external link to Omaha-World Herald, February 16, 2000
The congregation of First United Methodist Church of Omaha voted Tuesday night to join a nationwide organization of United Methodist congregations that publicly declare their willingness to welcome all people, regardless of sexual orientation.... The church's former pastor, Jimmy Creech, conducted a holy union service at the church in 1997, uniting two lesbians.
- Jimmy Creech and Family to Take Part in "The Wedding", UFMCC, January 27, 2000
On April 24, 1999, Jimmy Creech (right) co-officiated with Jill Edens, United Church of Christ (UCC) clergy at a covenant service for two men, Larry E. Ellis and James H. Raymer. The UCC celebration was held at Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. in Chapel Hill, N.C. More History...
Jim Raymer (left) and Larry Ellis join hands during a recommitment of their vows of holy union in a service performed in part by the Rev. Jimmy Creech (center) in Grand Island, Neb. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number 99-248, 11/16/99
1999
- Gratitude and Hope: A Letter from Jimmy Creech, December 2, 1999
- The United Methodist Church on Trial: Committing Spiritual Violence, an oped piece by Laura Montgomery Rutt
- Ministers: Little reaction to Creech trial, external link to the Lincoln Journal-Star, November 29, 1999
- A Litany of Repentance, Healing, and Commitment (for use in response to the trial of Jimmy Creech)
- Prayer Vigils for Jimmy Creech
- Creech found guilty, UMNS, November 18, 1999
- Photos of the Trial, UMNS
- Coalition Responds to Trial of Jimmy Creech, November 17, 1999
- Creech convicted, defrocked, The Independent, November 18, 1999
- Disappointed Creech calls Methodist church bigoted
, The Independent, November 18, 1999
- Jury defrocks Rev. Creech
, external link to the Lincoln Journal-Star, November 18, 1999
- Protesters arrested for blocking entrance , external link to the Lincoln Journal-Star, November 18, 1999
- Jimmy Creech Is Convicted and His Orders Removed, UMNS up-to-the-minute, November 17
- Methodist church jury finds Creech guilty, external link to The Independent, November 17, 1999
- Police arrest 74 protesters blocking Creech trial site, Creech won't offer defense, external link to The Independent, November 17, 1999
- Minister stripped of ordination for gay marriage rite, external link to The Independent, November 17, 1999
- Reflections on the Eve of the Second Jimmy Creech Trial by Marilyn Alexander, Interim Executive Director, RCP, Tuesday, November 16, 1999
- 'This is a respectful ceremony': Creech performs recommitment ceremony for gay couple, external link to The Independent, November 17, 1999
- Creech: Church opening wound, external link to The Independent, November 17, 1999
- Creech re-enacts ceremony on eve of church trial, external link to the Lincoln Journal-Star, November 17, 1999
- Methodists hoping to restore church unity, external link to the Lincoln Journal-Star, November 17, 1999
- Methodist Minister Going on Trial for Gay Wedding external link to Reuters article, November 17, 1999
- Pastor to go on trial for performing same-sex marriage external link to Reuters article, November 17, 1999
- Other churches say gay marriages a 'critical issue', external link to The Independent, November 16, 1999
- Creech Again Fuels Church Gay Debate, Omaha World-Herald, November 15, 1999
"Our efforts are focused on changing the law," said the Rev. Kathryn Johnson,
executive director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, who will attend the
trial. "The trial keeps the issue before us in a powerful way."
- Trial to Bring Visitors, external link to The Independent, November 15, 1999
- Creech Again Fuels Church
Gay Debate, external link to Omaha World-Herald, November 15, 1999
"Our efforts are focused on changing the law," said the Rev. Kathryn Johnson,
executive director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, who will attend the
trial. "The trial keeps the issue before us in a powerful way."
- Trial to Bring Visitors, external link to The Independent, November 15, 1999
- Trinity United Methodist didn't seek trial, but intends to be good hosts, external link to The Independent, November 14, 1999
"Among Trinity members, families and friends, there is a broad
spectrum of opinion represented regarding the issue of how we as a
United Methodist church ought to respond to homosexuals. Our
fervent plea here is for openness to differing opinions and a gracious
attitude toward others, which will respect and be lovingly tolerant of
differences.
- Creech trial brings church controversy to G.I., external link to The Independent, November 14, 1999
- United Methodist Church Goes on Trial by Laura Montgomery Rutt, November 14, 1999
The Rev. Creech will not have council, nor will he call
witnesses. To do so would validate the unjust law for which The United
Methodist Church must be held accountable.
- How You Can Support Jimmy Creech, November 1999
- Jimmy Creech: Amid Tidal Waves of History, Reconciling Kansas Newsletter, November 11, 1999
- United Methodist Group Responds to Planned Protest of Clergy Trial, November 8, 1999
- More Jimmy Creech News (Archives, 1997-present)
Other Web Sites of Interest
Historical Documents
Historical Background
On September 14, 1997 the Reverend Jimmy Creech, senior pastor of First United
Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska performed a covenant service
for two women. Afterward, charges were brought against him and a confidential process
of review begun in Nebraska Annual Conference. Effective November 10, 1997, Bishop Joel
Martinez suspended Jimmy Creech with pay for 60 days, before
the review process was complete. On January 9, 1998, Bishop Martinez extended the suspension of this courageous and loving Christian pastor.
On Friday, January 23, 1998 following a hearing, the Committee on Investigation of Nebraska Annual Conference voted to refer to church trial the complaint against the Reverend Jimmy Creech. The trial has held March 11-13, 1998 at First United Methodist Church in Kearney, Nebraska. Jimmy Creech was acquitted on March 13. He returned to the pulpit of FUMC in Omaha on Sunday, March 15, 1998. The next Sunday, illegal (by UM Discipline) church services were initiated that are being held for members of FUMC at the same time as regular church services at FUMC. On May 5, 1998 Bishop Martinez told Jimmy that he would not re-appointment him to FUMC Omaha in July. In May, Jimmy Creech decided to take a voluntary leave of absence. On June 7, he left the pulpit of FUMC. On that day, the Jimmy Creech Profile of Justice College Scholarship was announced. On August 11, 1998, Judicial Council released its decision about the legal status of prohibition in the Social Principles. Jimmy Creech responded to the decision. For much of the last half of 1998, Jimmy Creech traveled around the country speaking to thousands of people. In 1999, he is working on a book.
On April 24, 1999, Jimmy Creech (right) co-officiated with Jill Edens, United Church of Christ (UCC) clergy at a covenant service for two men, Larry E. Ellis and James H. Raymer. The UCC celebration was held at Olin T. Binkley
Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. in Chapel Hill, N.C. A complaint was brought against him in May.
On July 16,1999, Jimmy wrote CORNET: "I've just been informed by Bishop Joel Martinez (Nebraska Annual Conference) that the complaint filed against me by District Superintendent Jim McChesney for celebrating a holy union in April has been referred to the Counsel for the Church, Steve Flader, in Omaha, Nebraska. He will be sending it to the investigating committee. Consequently, the judicial process is formally underway. Peace,
Jimmy Creech"
The Nebraska Conference Committee on Investigations met in September in Lincoln to investigate a complaint against him. It has charged him with disobedience to the Order and Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
The second trial of the Reverend Jimmy Creech took place on November 17 and 18, 1999, in Grand Island, Nebraska, at Trinity United Methodist Church. The Presiding Bishop was Bishop William Boyd Grove, retired. His ministerial credentials were removed.
On December 2, 1999, Jimmy Creech sent a letter Gratitude and Hope to his supporters.
The photograph of Jimmy Creech is courtesy of Jimmy Creech.