40 United Methodist Clergy Pledge To Marry Gay Couples

[w8liftinglady]

http://wjon.com/40-united-methodist-clergy-pledge-to-marry-gay-couples/

ST. CLOUD – The debate over same-sex marriage is dividing members of the clergy within the United Methodist Church.

During their annual conference in St. Cloud, about 40 Minnesota United Methodist clergy have signed a statement saying they would marry any couple who came to them, including same-sex couples. Reverend Bruce Robbins of the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis read the statement yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. He said he initially had about a dozen of his colleagues sign the statement, by last night that number had grown to 40. The statement was a voluntary action and not a part of the annual conference.

Meanwhile, Bishop Sally Dyck says the statement itself does not break church rules. However, she says the church discipline does forbid same-sex marriage, and clergy who perform them could lose their conference membership, or clergy credentials. Robbins says that won’t stop him from performing the ceremonies.

[xchrom]

1. That is awesome. Nt

[Lint Head]

2. Excellent! I was raised a Methodist. My grandfather was a Methodist minister.

I have an uncle and a cousin that are Methodist ministers. I know people that have left the church because the church is too liberal.
They can stay away as far as I'm concerned.

[intheflow]

3. I went to a Methodist seminary.

They lost a lot of amazing ministers to the United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Church. This has been diving the denomination for a few years now. It's good to see clergy fighting back more openly now.

[cate94]

4. K & R