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New same-sex blessing complaint filed

 
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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.
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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