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by Bill Carpenter
Trial continued this morning at 9 am with the penalty phase. The Church asked for suspension until Amy signed agreement to never again perform a holy union as long as its prohibited by the Book of Discipline. It was later ruled that an indeterminate suspension would not be allowed.
The respondent (Amy) suggested a penalty commensurate with the offense. Perhaps to follow the northern Illinois annual conferences recent resolution of no more than 24 hours suspension. Or perhaps require Amy to lead listening/dialog circles throughout the UMC to seek healing aroung the issue and the trial.
Its been nearly three hours since delliberations began…so, now we wait.
- Bill Carpenter
by Bill Carpenter
THE VERDICTS ARE IN.
For conducting a holy union ceremony – GUILTY. Vote 13 to 0
FOR BEING A SELF-avowed practicing homosexual – NOT GUILTY. Vote 12 to 1.
Backstory
It’s noon Wednesday and the first phase of the trial has ended. The church rested its case after questioning the Respondent, Amy DeLong, and attempting to coax out (some would say coerce) a two statements from her. First, that she is a “self-avowed practicing homosexual,” the term the United Methodist Church uses to describe people like me. The only responses Amy could give when asked directly if she was one was “that’s what the UMC calls me but I would never use that phrase to describe myself.” The other statement that the church council seemed intent on eliciting was an affirmative answer to their question “have you had genital contact with a person of the same sex?” Amy thoughtfully and respectfully replied that she could never acknowledge the private details of my sacred relationship with someone who is intent on doing me harm.
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by Bill Carpenter
“Justice” moves slowly! For one hour this morning, the Respondent’s attorney (that’s UMC-speak for defendant Amy DeLong) offered proof that had been disallowed by the presiding officer (judge) prior to the trial. All the info goes into the trial record but is not heard or considered by the jury.
Details like two bishops and numerous district superintendents being aware that Amy was in a committed partnership with her partner Val for the last ten years. And that one of her bishops ha stated to her thAt her partnership would not be a problem.
Stay tuned – jury selection after lunch.
by Bill Carpenter
Amy DeLong’s support team is gathered at the Settle Inn in Kaukauna, WI and is welcoming supporters from all over the U.S. and continuing to organize for the trial start tomorrow. Currently, volunteers are canvasing the neighborhood of the Peace United Methodist Church, where the trial is being held, with flyers explaining why they’ll be seeing people vigiling on the sidewalk outside the church. It’s a great way to educate and seek out allies in this trial process.
Tonight there’s a gathering for dinner at a nearby restaurant followed by a trial overview. The support team has been organizing for months and is ready with tear jars as gifts for all attending the trial and other symbolic reminders of the experience of pain and loss and the search for justice throughout history.
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by Brian Murphy
WHO: United Methodist Church and Rev. Amy Delong
WHAT: The UMC will be conducting a church trial of Rev. Amy Delong. Rev. Amy is charged with 1) being a self-avowed practicing homosexual in violation of ¶2702.1b of the Discipline and 2) with conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions in violation of ¶2702.1b of the Discipline.
WHEN: June 21-23, 2011
WHERE: Kaukauna, WI (near Green Bay & Oshkosh, WI)
As is its pattern in matters regarding human sexuality, The United Methodist Church has once again chosen legalism over love and punishment over partnership.
Rev. Amy DeLong, an effective preacher and pastor, finds herself on the wrong side of church law because of:
Pastoral Care (she gracefully cared for a loving lesbian couple by officiating at their Holy Union) and
Love (she and Val, her partner of 15 years, share a life-affirming, deeply loving relationship).
Both of these affirmations of love are prohibited by the United Methodist Church and are considered “chargeable offenses.” Conviction of a chargeable offense can lead to the removal of clergy credentials and all ministerial privileges.
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