BY Jason Victor Serinus
Eleven months after a Methodist court voted 7-6 to withdraw her ministerial credentials, Rev. Irene Elizabeth 'Beth' Stroud, 35-year old associate pastor of Philadelphia's First United Methodist Church of Germantown, has lost her final appeal.
The defrocked minister's case was presented to the Houston-based United Methodist Judicial Council, the Methodist equivalent of the U.S. Supreme Court, Oct. 27. The Council's nine multi-racial, multi-national members, elected by the UMC General Conference, consist of both clergy and congregants. Each side had 30 minutes for oral arguments, after which one Judicial Council member asked a single question. The court posted its ruling Oct. 31 at archives.umc.org/interior_judicial.asp?mid=263&JDID=1096&JDMOD=VWD
Stroud argued that the Methodist Constitution's ban on homosexual clergy runs counter to other Methodist laws. She cited the Methodist Book of Discipline, which says: 'Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance and support that enable all persons to participate in the life of the church, the community and the world. Thus, inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination.' It also declares that homosexuals are 'individuals of sacred worth,' 'God's grace is available to all,' and 'certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons.'
Speaking by phone shortly after the verdict was posted, Stroud shared that it was 'a very sad day.'
'You think you can be prepared for anything emotionally,' she said, 'but I've been tearful on and off while sharing the news with my family and congregation.
'There is one silver lining. The same week we went down to Houston to appeal, my partner Chris and I completed our certification as foster parents. When we get a placement, I'll take three months of maternity leave as a new foster mother.'
Stroud will remain serving her Germantown congregation as a lay pastor while continuing to work for change.
'I believe that my denomination has a capacity to change,' she shared. 'It will. But it's going to be a long road.'
Stroud knew at the time she came out to her congregation that the decision might result in loss of her ministerial credentials. Even as she struggled to come to terms with the Judicial Council's final decision, she affirmed her choice.
'Coming out is the best decision I've ever made. The freedom and joy I feel being open and honest about my relationship is worth the sacrifice.'
Beth Stroud was initially charged with violating Paragraph 304.3 of the UMC's 2000 Book of Discipline, which says: 'Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.' She was stripped of her ministerial credentials on Dec. 2, 2004.
Forbidden to wear the insignia of ordained ministry, perform weddings, consecrate communion, or baptize, the defrocked Stroud continued to serve as lay associate pastor of her Northwest Philadelphia church, whose long history of justice work has frequently led its congregants to take to the streets. Stroud's Germantown congregation, the subject of a lengthy PBS special aired shortly after the initial trial, has stood by her throughout her ordeal.
Presiding Judge Bishop Joseph Yeakel refused to allow Stroud's defense to cite a March 2004 Methodist decision which found open lesbian minister Rev. Karen Dammann of Seattle not guilty of engaging in 'practices incompatible with Christian teachings.' Nor did he grant Stroud the opportunity to challenge the Methodist rulebook on the grounds that it violates the Christian principles of the Bible and the Constitution of the United Methodist Church.
Stroud decided to appeal the initial verdict on Dec. 27, 2004. She acknowledged at the time that a key factor in reaching her decision was a statement shared with her privately after her first trial by Bishop Yeakel. Yeakel told Stroud 'the day will come when the church apologizes for this decision.'
Beth Stroud appealed Yeakel's decision to exclude people from the jury pool who, for matters of conscience, felt they couldn't abide by provisions in the Methodist Rules of Discipline that bar lesbians and gay men from serving as ordained clergy. Stroud also contended she has never violated the greater Constitution of the United Methodist Church.
Stroud's first appeal took place in Baltimore April 28, 2005. The appeal was not of the verdict itself, but rather of the decisions of law and the way the initial trial was conducted. The court voted 8-1 to set aside the initial verdict. Shortly thereafter, Bishop Marcus Mathews of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the UMC decided to appeal the decision to the Judicial Council, the Methodist equivalent of a Supreme Court. In the interim, Stroud chose not to redon her robe and stole and celebrate the sacraments.
'I've decided to wait until my case is resolved,' she explained at the time.
