Methodist pastor faces trial for son's gay wedding.......

[dimbear]

http://gazette.com/methodist-pastor-faces-trial-for-sons-gay-wedding/article/feed/60537http://gazette.com/methodist-pastor-faces-trial-for-sons-gay-wedding/article/feed/60537
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The Rev. Frank Schaefer officiated his son's same-sex marriage "because I love him so much and didn't want to deny him that joy," but his decision to flout Methodist law could cost him his pastor's credentials in the latest flashpoint of a debate roiling the nation's largest mainline Protestant denomination.

Schaefer, 51, faces a church trial in southeastern Pennsylvania over charges that he broke his pastoral vows by performing the 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts. The United Methodist Church accepts gay and lesbian members but rejects homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian teaching," and clergy who perform same-sex unions risk punishment ranging from a reprimand to suspension to defrocking.

The German-born pastor is unapologetic, saying he answered to a higher law — God's command to love everyone.
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dimbear: the very last paragraph is the most striking. Good luck to Schaefer and good on him for standing up for what's right.

[gopiscrap]

1. For those interested

go to You Tube and watch a film called: "A Church Divided" it's about the struggle of the UMC dealing with the LBGT recognition and equality. There is a segment of a wedding we did there while I was on the Pastoral Staff of The Bridge United Methodist Church in Tacoma, Washington.

[rug]

2. This one?

Bookmarked.

[gopiscrap]

3. yes that's the church I worked at, I am in this film!

that's Wayne and Mike getting married and the Pastor is Gordy

[rug]

4. Look good. About five minutes into it.

[gopiscrap]

5. ok let me know what you think

[libdem4life]

8. Joy...and a few tears. My family has learned tolerance but short of acceptance and an actual

wedding. I acknowledge the United Methodists for having the discussion and the Progressives for their steadfastness and intention to change the framework rather than leave their church and faith.

[cbayer]

6. That is so cool!

Kudos to you and the church.

[gopiscrap]

7. thanks!