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A UMNS Report
By Victoria Rebeck*
3:00 P.M. EDT July 29, 2011
The Rev. Amy DeLong (right) gets a hug from the Rev. Janet Wolf after
DeLong's church trial at Peace United Methodist Church in Kaukauna,
Wis. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
View in Photo Gallery
A complaint has been filed against a United Methodist pastor in
Minnesota for blessing a same-gender union, which is against church law.
Bishop Sally Dyck has announced that the cabinet of the Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church on June 29 filed the complaint against the Rev. Gregrey Renstrom.
Renstrom, a retired elder who is pastor of New Harmony United
Methodist Church, a new fellowship in Minneapolis, conducted what he
described as blessings of “mutually reverent relationships” on June 25
and 26. None of these took place in United Methodist churches or on
United Methodist properties.
The cabinet filed the complaint to investigate whether the blessings constitute a violation of Paragraph 341.6 of The 2008 United Methodist Book of Discipline,
which states, “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be
conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.”
“These are challenging times for everyone in our families,
communities, churches, and country as we find our way forward on this
issue,” said Bishop Dyck, acknowledging that faithful Christians hold
widely differing opinions on the topic of holy unions of same-sex
couples.
Renstrom reported to Bishop Dyck in advance that he planned to conduct the blessings that weekend. His image and voice were broadcast in a KARE-11 Minneapolis television news report on Gay Pride festivities.
Bishop Dyck said she intends to follow the review process required by Paragraph 361.1,
which states, “This review shall have as its primary purpose a just
resolution of any violations of this sacred trust, in the hope that
God’s work of justice, reconciliation and healing may be realized in the
body of Christ.”
The process
After a written complaint is filed, an investigation period begins
and may last up to 45 days. When that investigation period ends, the
bishop must dismiss the complaint or initiate a supervisory response.
Renstrom will continue to pastor New Harmony while the complaint is
resolved.
Paragraph 361.1 (b) states, “The supervisory response is pastoral and
administrative and shall be directed toward a just resolution among all
parties. It is not part of any judicial process.”
Bishop Dyck said she decided to publicize the complaint because of two recent news events: the signing by at least 70 Minnesota United Methodist clergy
of a statement pledging to “offer the grace of the church’s blessing to
any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage” and the trial in June of the Rev. Amy DeLong, a Wisconsin elder.
DeLong was acquitted
by the trial court on the charge of being a "self-avowed practicing
homosexual" by a vote of 12-1. The same panel unanimously found her
guilty of violating the prohibition against conducting ceremonies
celebrating same-gender unions. The jury voted 9-4 to suspend DeLong
from her ministerial functions for 20 days beginning July 1, 2011.
A plea for prayers
The complaint against Renstrom provides an opportunity to clarify
United Methodist due process in such situations, Bishop Dyck said.
She is urging Minnesota United Methodists to follow Paul’s advice to the
Colossians (3:12) and “hold each other close in the Spirit of Christ
and demonstrate compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and
discipline."
“I would ask that you keep in your prayers Rev. Renstrom, the New
Harmony fellowship, the Minnesota Annual Conference (of churches and
clergy), The United Methodist Church, and all in our culture who are
struggling, hurting, and caring deeply about this matter,” Bishop Dyck
said.
*Rebeck is director of communication for the Minnesota Annual
(regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church. She can be reached
at victoria.rebeck@minnesotaumc.org; (612) 230-6132.
News media contact: Maggie Hillery, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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