wfn.org | Church to Accept Bishop's Appointee

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2998 notes).

Note 2998 by UMNS on June 6, 1996 at 16:31 Eastern (3401 characters).

SEARCH: Warmer, immorality, clergy, misconduct, charges, legal,
appointment

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CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                       284(10-21-71){2998}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             June 6, 1996

California minister resigns; congregation
agrees to accept minister bishop appoints

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The leadership of St. Paul's United Methodist Church,
Coronado, Calif., has agreed to comply with the denomination's
appointment process and accept the minister appointed by the
bishop and the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference.
     For months, the St. Paul's congregation has been in violation
of the church's Book of Discipline (church law) by continuing to
employ Thomas Warmer as its pastor, and refusing to recognize the
authority of the presiding bishop of the area Roy I. Sano, Los
Angeles.
     May 30, notices of a petition filed by conference officials
in the Probate Division of the Superior Court of San Diego County
were delivered to Warmer, and to the congregation's trustees,
staff-parish relations committee, administrative board chairman
and layleader.  
     Congregation leaders say they will accept Warmer's
resignation and make it possible for a duly-appointed ordained
United Methodist minister to assume pastoral responsiblities for
the congregation after June 23, Warmer's final Sunday in the St.
Paul's pulpit.
     Suspended from the ministry last January, Warmer surrendered
his United Methodist clergy credentials in February to avoid a
church trial on charges of immorality.  Earlier four women charged
Warmer with molesting them 25 years ago while they were members of
the youth group at the Lemon Grove United Methodist Church where
he was pastor at the time the offenses were said to have occured.
     When Warmer surrendered his credentials, bringing the trial
to an abrupt end, leaders of St. Paul's Church employed him to
continue as their "hired" minister.  The denomination's Discipline
specifically prohibits anyone who does not hold proper clergy
credentials and is not under appointment by the presiding bishop
of the area from functioning as the pastor of a United Methodist
congregation.
     Although Sano appointed an interim pastor to serve as the
church's minister, Warmer -- with support from St. Paul's
leadership -- has refused to relinquish the pulpit and continues
to conduct worship.  The standoff continued until the petition was
filed in the San Diego court last week.
     "We are grateful for this turn in direction," said the Rev.
Patricia Farris, San Diego District superintendent. "Although we
are aware it is deeply painful for many at St. Paul's,
nevertheless, we look forward to working with the congregation as
we begin to rebuild trust and relationships in order that the very
significant ministries of the congregation might not only continue
but increase."
     The appointment of a new pastor for St. Paul's Church will be
announced at the California-Pacific Annual Conference session June
12-16 at Redlands.
                              #  #  #

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