Trial starts for Methodist minister who officiated same-sex wedding in Menomonie

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110621/GPG0101/110620142/Trial-starts-Methodist-minister-who-officiated-same-sex-wedding?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CGPG-News%7Cs

KAUKAUNA — As she prepared to stand trial this week for officiating a 2009 same-sex wedding in violation of United Methodist Church rules, the Rev. Amy DeLong cast her defense as part of a larger movement to reform the church’s stance against openly gay clergy and same-sex unions.

“This trial is not about me,” DeLong told The Post-Crescent of Appleton. “It’s about the bigger quest for justice and inclusiveness.”


During the three-day trial that begins Tuesday afternoon, DeLong, 44, of Polk County, will face a jury of 13 ministers at Peace United Methodist Church in Kaukauna on charges of being a “self-avowed homosexual” and for performing a holy union for a lesbian couple in Menomonie two years ago.


Both actions are prohibited in the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline. If convicted, DeLong could be stripped of her ministerial credentials.


A vocal advocate for church acceptance of gay congregants and clergy, DeLong does not dispute the charges, and has used the case as a platform to advance a church-wide conversation about religion and homosexuality.


“Whether it turns the church around, I don’t know, and it’s out of my control,” she said. “All I can do is be faithful in the next step I take and to hope that it makes a difference. What difference it will make, I can’t predict.”

[Scuba]

1. Amy DeLong presided over my Aunt's funeral. I suppose the whack jobs...

...think my Aunt is now stuck in limbo or some such BS.


For what it's worth, I remember it being a nice service. Amy served the Church I grew up in for several years. While I haven't attended church since the 1960's this rural community is well aware of Amy's sexual preference and it doesn't seem to bother anyone.

Heck, we even have a transvestite gunsmith!

[Bluenorthwest]

2. What a bunch of clowns. They dress up and play 'trial'. Wow.

Delusion is dangerous. I wonder if the flip a coin to see who gets to wear the judge's robes? Who brings them cookies and milk after playtime?

[LiberalAndProud]

3. Play trial?

I expect that the minister will be defrocked. I would strongly object to your characterization. There are good people struggling within that organization to change the very wrong church doctrine, and for that they are stripped of their professional credentials. It's not a minor thing.