Lesbian pastor and a failed resolution

On January 3, Epiphany Sunday, Rev. Cynthia Meyer came out to her congregation in Edgerton, Kansas. A complaint was filed. The Great Plains Conference had already voted 60-40 to send a request to General Conference to allow LGBTQ people to serve openly as pastors. The Executive Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry in the conference rejected the request of Bishop Scott Jones to suspend Meyer. Bishop Jones also suggested the Edgerton UMC withdraw from the denomination. Meyer rejected that idea.

Meyer said:

On Epiphany Sunday, I stood before one tiny congregation and declared, ‘I will not live in the darkness.’ And now, I will not surrender my credentials or accept as ‘Just Resolution’ an unjust list of demands and contingencies. I will not ask that faithful congregation to leave the denomination it has lovingly served for decades. I will, instead, continue to follow the light of love, justice and full inclusion for all.

Jones has referred the case to counsel, moving it closer to a possible trial. Jones also seeks to postpone any action until after General Conference, where the issue open clergy will be discussed. GC will be held May 10-20 in Portland, Oregon.