Jimmy Creech - News

2002

• Soulforce Infiltrates Southern Baptist Convention, Soulforce, June 11, 2002.

2001

• Betty Degeneres and Jimmy Creech on Gay Unions, Religion and What People Really Fear About Gay Marriage: A Father's Day Conversation on HRC FamilyNet

• 50 Soulforce Protesters Arrested At ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Indianapolis, Soulforce, June 13, 2001.

2000

• The United Methodist Church and Spiritual Violence: Perspective on Jimmy Creech from Whosoever.org.

• 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.

1999

• Gratitude and Hope: A Letter from Jimmy Creech, December 2, 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

• Jimmy Creech: United Methodist Church on Trial web site by Laura Montgomery Rutt

• Interfaith Working Group Online Current News

• Larry E. Ellis and James H. Raymer On April 24, 1999, the Reverends Jimmy Creech, United Methodist clergy, and Jill Edens, United Church of Christ (UCC) clergy, were co-officiants at these two men's covenant service. Their web site has photos from the holy union, a reproduction of the cover of the invitation to the celebration, stories from Larry and Jim and more.

• The Renewal of Vows of Larry Ellis and James Raymer, text of this service of worship in Nebraska (Soulforce)

• Soulforce's Jimmy Creech Trial Coverage

• United Methodist News Service: Creech Trial (Official UM Coverage)

Historical Documents

• Gratitude and Hope: A Letter from Jimmy Creech, December 2, 1999

• The Jimmy Creech First Trial Transcript (600 pp) is available at $70 ppd. from Nelson McClellan attorneys, 503 S. 36th St., Omaha, NE 68105 (402-344-8044; FAX: 402-346-6997; MMclel172@aol.com)

• Response to the Judicial Charge by Jimmy Creech, January 26, 1998 This document gives the biblical, theological, experiential basis for Jimmy Creech's decision to participate in a covenant service.

• Jimmy Creech's Response to Judicial Council's Decision

• Judicial Council Decision #833 Full Text

• Trial of the Rev. Jimmy Creech (with unofficial transcript of his statement to the trial court)