wfn.org | Complaints filed against two clergy over same-sex unions

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 28, 2000  News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-28-71B{303}

By United Methodist News Service

Officials in two United Methodist annual (regional) conferences - New
England and Nebraska --  are dealing with formal complaints filed against
clergy who have performed same-sex union ceremonies in violation of the
church's Book of Discipline.

The New England case has been dealt with by the area's Bishop Susan Wolfe
Hassinger.  The Nebraska complaint is still being processed.  

In a June 25 statement to the congregation at Brown Memorial United
Methodist Church in Clinton, Maine, Hassinger said that the Rev. Susan
Davenport, Brown's pastor, had acknowledged "with deep regret" that she had
performed the ceremony.   The 1999 ceremony did not occur at the church.

Hassinger said Davenport had "asked forgiveness and vows not to repeat this
action."

Terry E. Stubenrod, a member of the Brown congregation, told the Bangor
(Maine) Daily News that she filed the complaint against Davenport April 16.

The bishop's statement did not specify steps "necessary for just
resolution," but it was noted that Davenport had agreed to fulfill the
requirements.  

Brown Memorial's pastor-parish relations committee also issued a statement
regarding the charges brought against Davenport.

"Throughout this process, we have remained united in our support of the
ministry and leadership of our pastor, the Rev. Susan Davenport, in this
congregation and the greater community," the statement said. "We are
satisfied that our bishop has dealt appropriately with just resolution as
communicated to us on her behalf today at the close of worship."

The committee recognized the question of same-sex union ceremonies is an
issue within the denomination and society. "Although this has been a
difficult experience for our congregation, we have grown in our Christian
faith, and hope it will inspire others to have the courage to speak out in
the name of justice for all God's people," the statement said.

Davenport, who is on sabbatical, is expected to return to the church in
September. 

Nebraska Bishop Joel Martinez confirmed with United Methodist News Service
that a complaint has been filed against the Rev. Mark Kemling, a clergy
member of the conference who is on leave of absence.  Reportedly, Kemling
presided over a union ceremony for two men June 3 at a Metropolitan
Community Church in Omaha. Martinez said the complaint is being processed as
called for in the church's Book of Discipline.  He would not identify the
individual who filed the complaint and said he did not know when a decision
in the case would be made.

The issue is not a new one for the Nebraska Conference, which tried Jimmy
Creech twice for officiating at same-sex unions.  The first church trial in
March 1998 ended in acquittal. After his November 1999 trial, he was
stripped of his ministerial credentials.

By a vote of 646 to 294, delegates at the United Methodist General
Conference in Cleveland May 2-12 voted to retain language in the Book of
Discipline that prohibits clergy from conducting same-sex union ceremonies
and does not allow church facilities to be used for such events.

#  #  #

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org