Dammann (lesbian pastor) chooses not to return to Ellensburg

[Ediacara]

Dammann chooses not to return to Ellensburg

By SHANNON DININNY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Rev. Karen Dammann, a lesbian pastor who was the focus of a United Methodist church trial, has chosen not to return to her Ellensburg church, a church official said Friday.

Dammann chose to remain on family leave rather than return to First United Methodist Church in the central Washington city, said the Rev. Ron Hines, superintendent of the Pacific Northwest Conference's Seven Rivers District.

"Karen is still a pastor in good standing with the conference. It was her choice that she continue on family leave," Hines said.

Dammann, 47, declared her sexual preference in February 2001, when she sought a new church appointment. After receiving Dammann's letter, Northwest Conference Bishop Elias Galvan, under church orders, filed a complaint against her.

More at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. a lesbian pastor

at "Ellen"sburg church? That sounds like it was pre-ordained by God himself.

[Ediacara]

2. If Washington State ever had a cowboy town...

...It's Ellensburg. I understand her hesitation returning there, but I certainly hope she can continue on as a pastor in a more progressive community.

[Zomby Woof]

3. I'm a CWU alum

I didn't mind it being a cowtown except when it was downwind. x( :-)

I was a student there during the first Bush term, Gulf War 1, etc. The student body was down the middle both ways, and in comparison to the town, left-wing. I remember many of us wore black armbands when the war started, and the only flak we got was from the talentless freeper hack cartoonist in the student rag - no problem. Otherwise, many dorms had anti-war signs on the windows (and this was the 'popular' war you recall). It was a good time to be in college - graduated election year too.

I think because many of us were Seattle or Olympia liberals, we had diverse student body to counter the eastern WA freeps (students and residents alike). Best part was no frats or sororities.

Had to weigh in... can't say I see too many threads about Ellensburg on here...

[Ediacara]

4. Hey :-)

I'm not saying it's all bad. I am sure that most people, even conservatives are perfectly nice people who won't stick their nose into Dammann's business. The problem (and I see this in progressive towns in Montana too) is that because it's supposed to be a conservative area, a few bad apples (I hate to use that phrase now) may feel "empowered" to show Dammann her place.

[Zomby Woof]

5. oh, no doubt

There were (are) some scary cro-magnons in that town, and if it wasn't for the university... well, you get the idea.

I wish her good luck whatever happens. Besides, I have been away from there for 12 years now, so my impressions are highly personal and admittedly narrow.

Back when I lived there, people from western WA were called "206ers", lol. That was when the entire western half of the state was literally the 206 area code. I loved the freeper disdain they spat out that name. :-)

[banana republican]

6. I grew up there

and for the life of me I *cannot* understand anyone going to e'burg let alone returning.

Remember; yakima is the home of the "Birch John Scoiety"