A representative from the Bishop's Office in Virginia spoke yesterday with District Superintendent William Anthony Layman, who presides over the Petersberg district, to which South Hill belongs. Layman reported that the name and age of the gay man has not been released, and that he has not gained membership into South Hill.

In June, Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer of the Virginia Conference ruled that the Rev. Edward Johnson, pastor at South Hill, could not prohibit the baptized gay man from becoming a professing member in the UMC.

On Oct. 29, the United Methodist Judicial Council, the supreme court of the church, voted to reverse Kammerer's ruling. According to documentation of this decision, the council ruled to give the pastor in charge the discretion to make the determination of "a person's readiness to affirm the vows of membership."

She said she spoke upon the issue during her sermon the following Sunday. She said many of her congregants were stunned and that some were very angry.

"...Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment ... We implore families and the church not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends."

It is also noted in that passage that the UMC does not condone the "practice of homosexuality," considering it "incompatible with Christian teaching."

She will be sending a letter of support and a Christmas card to the gay man through the Reconciling Ministries Network Office in Chicago. The RMN is a national effort working for the participation of all people in the UMC.

RMN Outreach Coordinator Susan Laurie says she's seen a recent growth spurt in the number of UMC groups wishing to become Reconciling Congregations. She announced seven just before Thanksgiving and said she will have four or five more to announce within the week.

"This has really awakened people," she said, "A lot of gay people can be made to feel they can't go back to churches. At Christmas time for people who feel excluded, this can be the hardest, harshest time of year."

Groups and individuals who would like to take action on this issue can contact their church leader, the Reconciling Ministries Network, or sign the Here We Stand document.

This is cache, read story here