wfn.org | Transgender clergyperson leaves church, keeps faith

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

July 2, 2002      News media contact: Joretta Purdue7(202)
546-87227Washington     10-21-71B{283}

A UMNS Feature
By Joretta Purdue*

WASHINGTON--The United Methodist pastor that brought controversy to the
Baltimore-Washington Conference after undergoing gender reassignment calls
her decision to leave the denomination painful.

"I've been a United Methodist all of my life," the Rev. Rebecca A. Steen
told United Methodist News Service in a telephone interview just a few days
after leaving the United Methodist Church. "To step away has been an
extremely painful thing." 

As a hearing on June 28 began that would determine whether or not she would
be put on involuntary leave by the regional unit of the United Methodist
Church, she surrendered her clergy credentials and withdrew her membership
in the United Methodist Church.

"There has been a parting of the ways because I don't think the church is
ready for me, and I'm sad to say that," Steen observed. "I will continue to
seek to do the will of the Lord and to be active in ministry wherever God
leads me."  

Steen had sought voluntary leave from the Baltimore-Washington Conference in
1999 and subsequently underwent gender reassignment. Prior to that process,
Steen, who was then the Rev. Richard A. Zamostny, had served churches in
three Maryland communities during a 17-year career. 

When Steen asked to return to the active ministry, her request sparked
controversy. A formal complaint was lodged against her in early June. Bishop
Felton Edwin May has said the contents of the complaint are confidential but
that it pertains to ministerial effectiveness. Transgender issues are not
named in the complaint, he stated.  

Transgender issues were at the heart of a declaration written by eight
conference clergymembers. Called the "Renaissance Affirmation," the document
was circulated June 8 during the annual session of the conference.

Steen, 47, a parent and grandparent, said that prior to her withdrawal she
realized the issue was going to become extremely divisive for the church,
her family and herself. That's why she decided to stop the process.

"I don't think it would be a good thing for anyone, to make this a topic of
heated debate and controversy," she remarked. 

She expressed her appreciation to the many clergy and laity that supported
her. At the same time she acknowledged that many others have opposed a
transgender clergyperson. 

 "My theology is one that says you need to love everyone. If it's not an act
of grace - if it's not an act of love, then you shouldn't do it," Steen
said. 

Instead, she indicated that she is going "to take some time to explore other
faith communities and to see how I may be able to continue to serve the Lord
in whichever faith community I am accepted."

She expressed amazement that "in general society, for most people, it's not
an issue, but it is very much an issue for the church," she observed. She
added that the church preaches protection for all people out in the world
but does not want to extend those protections within its framework.

Steen said she hopes her experience has cracked open the church door for
anyone in the future who is not accepted because of gender, race, or other
conditions-those who do not conform to "the norm of what the established
church expects them to be."  Some people in "our church . . . aren't quite
open to others," she said. 

 "I am not angry or bitter over this at all," she stressed. "I really care
about the church. I am going to continue to pray for the United Methodist
Church, but I am called to minister and I am going to go to those who have
been disenfranchised, those who have been pushed out. 

"I am concerned about the family of God. The family of Jesus Christ extends
to all people - not to a specific group," she said.  "I am going to go on
preaching ... and go on loving in the name of Jesus Christ - wherever I'm
called."
# # #

*Joretta Purdue is the news director of the Washington office of United
Methodist News Service.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
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