Cessation of trials

A complaint was filed a while ago against Rev. Thomas Ogletree of the United Methodist Church for performing a same-sex wedding for his son. But Bishop Martin McLee of the New York Annual Conference (Western Connecticut, Long Island, the City, and the Catskills) will not be holding a trial. This is in contrast to what was done recently to Frank Schaeffer in eastern Pennsylvania. Instead, the NY bishop has agreed to a "cessation" of trials in his region and will conduct public forums of a "spiritual conversation" about the issue. Ogletree will take part. He has not declared he will refrain from conducting more same-sex weddings.

Two pastors, Rev. Cheryl Fear and Rev. Gordon Hutchins, of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference (offices in Seattle) will also not be given a trial for performing same-sex weddings. Instead, each will be given a one-day suspension without pay. Again, the pastors did not declare they would refrain from conducting more such weddings. Conservatives are annoyed because they feel the penalty doesn't have enough bite to keep other pastors from conducting gay weddings.



United Methodist Connections has a lengthy article on Frank Schaeffer and his struggles during and after his trial last November.



Back in January retired Rev. William McElvaney of Dallas announced he would risk a church trial and the possibility he would lose his credentials if anyone asked him to perform a same-sex ceremony. That might not be too much of a burden because McElvaney is 85. It didn't take long for a couple to approach him. George Harris is 80 and partner Jack Evans is 84. They've been together for 53 years. The service will not be in their home church, Northaven United Methodist, but in a sister church Midway Hills Christian Church, which might be too small for the crowd of guests.