Refuse to surrender

A month ago Rev. Frank Schaeffer was put on trial and convicted for performing a same-sex wedding for his gay son. His punishment was a 30 day suspension, to give him time to consider the consequences of his actions, repent, declare he won't do it again, and pledge to uphold the Book of Discipline "in its entirety.

Those 30 days are almost over. Schaeffer says he will continue to advocate for us and, if asked, will perform another same-sex wedding. He says he cannot support all of the Book of Discipline because parts are discriminatory. He has also refused to voluntary surrender his clergy credentials. It is up to the denomination to take the action to defrock him.

Schaeffer received hundreds of messages asking him to stand firm, to refuse to surrender his credentials. Three of those messages were from bishops.



Joanne Brown, now age 60, met and fell in love with Christie Newbill, age 65. The two have declared each cannot live without the other. They were married in Seattle on Dec. 7th this year with Rev. Patricia Simpson officiating. It's a wonderful story of love.

But there's a problem. Actually, a string of problems. Joanne Brown is Rev. Brown of the United Methodist Church. Christie Newbill is now Rev. Christie Brown, also a United Methodist pastor. Rev. Simpson is, again, United Methodist. And the ceremony was held in Tibbetts United Methodist Church. Which means: (1) both brides violated the ban on pastors being a "practicing homosexual," (2) The site of the ceremony violated the ban on using denomination facilities to host same-sex ceremonies, and (3) Rev. Simpson violated the ban on officiating at same-sex ceremonies. So, yeah, there might be big consequences. All of the parties are prepared to pay the price of love.

There is one thing in their favor. Seattle is in the Western Jurisdiction, which has instructed its bishops and pastors to act as if those bans do not exist. The local bishop might ignore any complaints that are filed.