Photo Courtesy of Eric Folkerth
Mikita signing
Ginny Mikita signs the marriage certificate for the Rev. Benjamin Hutchison and his longtime partner, Monty Hutchison.
A United Methodist Insight Exclusive
Introduction: Although marriage equality has become the law of the land in the United States, The United Methodist Church continues to struggle with granting same-gender couples the right to have their unions solemnized in the church.
Shortly after the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted gay and lesbian couples the legal right to marry, a group of United Methodist clergy in the West Michigan Annual Conference chose to support the marriage of a clergy colleague to his longtime partner. A clergy candidate, Ginny Mikita, performed the ceremony after gaining legal authority under Michigan law by securing ordination through an online religious association. In addition, more than 25 United Methodist clergy were present to support and bless the marriage. Subsequently eight of those clergy were brought up on charges of violating the United Methodist Book of Discipline.
In what is believed to be the first fully factual publication of the episode, United Methodist Insight has chosen to allow the participants to speak for themselves about their experience with the church's personnel process, unfiltered by either United Methodist institutional authority or by media interpretation. Insight has been provided with documentation to verify the accuracy of the following statements.
Ginny Mikita Still a Member of The United Methodist Church and a Candidate
for Ministry March 3, 2016
After months of anguish and embarrassment over a series of unfortunate public statements and communications, Ms. Ginny Mikita is celebrating that the proper and appropriate procedures outlined in The Book of Discipline have been followed. The inaccurate news reports and statements about her status as a member of The United Methodist Church and her continued candidacy for ministry have been corrected by actions of those properly authorized to determine her status according to the Discipline.
By way of background, Ms. Ginny Mikita’s decision to officiate the Hutchison wedding was rooted in her longstanding friendship with Rev. Benjamin David Hutchison. The two met in 2008 while enrolled in Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. They were classmates in – somewhat ironically – 'Introduction to Pastoral Care' and, after discovering, they were both from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, began sharing rides to and from Grand Rapids that semester. During their rides, they had long discussions about the church and homosexuality. Ms. Mikita began affectionately referring to Benjamin as her 'gay angel.' She recalled him sharing as they drove along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago during December, "Someday, I dream I'll be married at Christmastime, and my husband and I will spend weekends like this decorating our house together." They made a pact then that when the day came, she would officiate his wedding. They both dreamed and believed it would be possible, both legally and, more importantly, within the UMC denomination when that day came.
Their relationship deepened in March 2013, when the Rev. BenjaminDavid Bras (at the time) and Monty Hutchison asked Ms. Mikita, also an attorney, to represent them in legal proceedings to change Benjamin's last name to Hutchison. On the hearing date, parishioners from Cassopolis UMC (along with local clergy garbed in clerical collars) braved the snow to be witness to and celebrate with their pastor and his partner as they entered into this symbolic lifetime commitment to one another.
When the Rev. Hutchison called Ms. Mikita on July 14, 2015, to tell her he was resigning under the threat of termination as Senior Pastor of the Cassopolis UMC, he shared with her how this rejection by the church was even more hurtful than the rejection he’d experienced at the hands of his own family. They wept together.
The disciplinary matter began from a letter dated July 21, 2015, by three United Methodist clergy from the North Texas, Western North Carolina and Greater New Jersey Annual Conferences – the Revs. Stephen Rankin, Drew McIntyre and Evan Rohrs-Dodge, respectively – received by Grand Rapids District Superintendent William Haggard asserting that because of Ginny Mikita’s involvement in the wedding of Rev. Benjamin and Monty Hutchison in Cassopolis, Mich., on July 17, she had violated The Book of Discipline and as a result she was no longer a member of The United Methodist Church and was no longer a certified candidate for ministry in the West Michigan conference. Rev. Haggard did not give this letter to the Grand Rapids District Committee on Ordained Ministry as it was intended by the writers, but instead undertook to handle the matter himself, something he did not have authority to do, according to the Discipline.
The extensive communications and social media postings that followed generated a groundswell of misinformation across United Methodism in Michigan and beyond, plus in the secular press. In addition the statements below publicized conclusions by Michigan Area leaders who had no disciplinary or other authority to determine the status of Ms. Mikita’s United Methodist membership or candidacy.
Subsequent to the Aug. 27 meeting with Ms. Mikita, on Aug. 31, 2015, District Superintendent Haggard wrote to the three out-of-state clergy saying: “I have informed Ms. Mikita that her candidacy process has ended because she voluntarily withdrew her Membership from the United Methodist Church when she united with another denomination.”
On Sept. 9, 2015 the Michigan Area News, a conference publication, suggested that: “In choosing to become ordained in The Universal Life Church (ULC), Ms. Mikita elected to change denominations. This action automatically withdrew her membership in The United Methodist Church and as a certified candidate for ministry.” Significantly, the absence of a definition of "denomination" in the The Book of Discipline is a factor in all that has transpired, and conclusions by some that this issue is clear are incorrect.
Despite these unfortunate and improper communications, the appropriate and legal venues where these matters can only be determined under The Book of Discipline have thankfully been followed at last, but left unpublicized by the West Michigan conference. Hence, Ms. Mikita has chosen to speak out on her own.
The Book of Discipline clearly provides that the pastor of his or her local congregation determines a person's membership in The United Methodist Church. On Sept. 9, 2015, Ms. Mikita's pastor, the Rev. Robert Eckert, who both knew about Ms. Mikita’s intended action and also attended the Hutchisons' wedding with his grandchildren, confirmed to Grand Rapids District Superintendent Haggard, “As pastor of the congregation where Ginny holds her membership, I am satisfied and I emphatically affirm that she fulfills the expectations for a professing member of her local United Methodist church as named in Paragraph 217 of the 2012 BOD [Book of Discipline].”
Regarding certification of candidacy for ministry in The United Methodist Church, that responsibility rests solely and exclusively with the District Committee on Ordained Ministry. At the invitation of the Grand Rapids District Committee on Ordained Ministry, Ms. Mikita met with them on Sept. 22 and Oct. 28 to discuss the circumstances arising from the July letter from the three out-of-state clergy. After extensive discussion the District Committee took no action to change Ms. Mikita’s status as a certified candidate for ministry. During the second meeting, the committee told her she remained an approved candidate for ministry.
On Nov. 12 the West Michigan Conference Board of Ordained Ministry also considered this matter. They informed Ms. Mikita,“that a Conference Board of Ministry has no authority in candidacy matters, and that this is the sole responsibility of District Committees on Ministry. Since the GR Committee had dealt with your candidacy there was no action needed from the Conference BOM. So, no action was taken at the Conference Board of Ministry regarding your candidacy as it would not have been appropriate.” They informed her that, “her status continues as a certified candidate in the Grand Rapids District as determined in May 2015.”
Finally and most recently, on Nov. 24, 2015, her local congregation, Courtland-Oakfield UMC in Rockford, Michigan, exercised its disciplinary responsibility and voted at its Charge Conference to again recommend the continuation of her candidacy for ministry.
Ms. Mikita’s membership in The United Methodist Church never ended. She not only continues to be actively engaged in ministry activities at Courtland-Oakfield UMC where she holds her membership, but she continues to pursue her calling as a candidate for ministry within the West Michigan Conference.
In her own words Ms. Mikita says : “ As described so well in the disciplinary requirements for Candidacy and Certification for Licensed and Ordained Ministry (¶310) I continue to believe God’s call on me for this set-apart ministry is authentic. My words and actions throughout my candidacy have been guided by, and I remain committed to, “Our Theological Task” as outlined in The Book of Discipline.
‘In addition to historic tensions and conflicts that still require resolution, new issues continually arise that summon us to fresh theological inquiry. Daily we are presented with an array of concerns that challenge our proclamation of God’s reign over all of human existence.
Of crucial importance are concerns generated by great human struggles for dignity, liberation, and fulfillment – aspirations that are inherent elements in God’s design for creation. These concerns are borne by theologies that express the heart cries of the downtrodden and the aroused indignation of the compassionate.
We seek an authentic Christian response to these realities that the healing and redeeming work of God might be present in our words and deeds. Too often, theology is used to support practices that are unjust. We look for answers that are in harmony with the gospel and do not claim exemption from critical assessment.”
"Affirming again all of Wesley’s historic questions, I know especially God is a pardoning God, I know the love of God abides in me, and I believe I continue to bear fruit and gifts of the spirit, as well as demonstrate evidence of God’s grace, for this holy work.
"I am often asked, ‘Why did you agree to officiate the wedding?’ When the story first broke, the Rev. Hutchison texted me, in the middle of the media storm, ‘Thank you for loving me.’ That is why I agreed.
"I am also often asked, ’Why stay in the UMC?’ I stay because of the many clergy and laypersons who reached out to me during these past months from around the country in solidarity and who, like me, refuse to accept exclusivity as a Denominational pillar. There are thousands upon thousands of us. That is why I stay.”
Just Resolution Between Revs. Douglas Vernon, James Barney, Marilyn Barney, Scott Manning, Edrye Maurer, Matt Weiler, James Thomas Boutell, Amee Paparella, John Boley and William Haggard
This Just Resolution agreement results from a complaint submitted by Rev. John Boley (complainant) against Revs. Douglas Vernon, James Barney, Marilyn Barney, Scott Manning, Amee Paparella, Edrye Maurer, and Matt Weiler (respondents) and by Rev. William Haggard (complainant) against the Rev. James Tommy Boutell (respondent) for presiding at a same-gender wedding ceremony on July 17, 2015 in Cassopolis, Michigan, alleging violation of ¶2702.1 of The United Methodist Book of Discipline. After receiving this complaint Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey conducted a supervisory response in this matter under the provisions of The Book of Discipline 2012 (¶363.1b).
As a result of the Supervisory Response process conducted by Bishop Kiesey, the persons signing this document have agreed to the following statements and course of action:
1) The respondents believe that conducting or performing a wedding is a pastoral matter, which encompasses a greater totality of the Service of Christian Marriage. It is also an ecclesial duty that one is asked to perform. None of them were asked by Rev. Benjamin David or Monty Hutchison to conduct or perform their ceremony. They joined with over twenty others in saying words of pronouncement to show their support for both the couple and for those officiating at the ceremony. For this reason, they believe the words they spoke do not constitute a chargeable offense within the intent of The Book of Discipline.
2) The complainants acknowledge that none of the respondents acted as officiants at the wedding on July 17. Likewise they did not perform any of the responsibilities normally associated with a pastor solemnizing a marriage, such as being asked by the couple to conduct or preside at their wedding, counsel with them prior to the marriage, announce the couple to those gathered at the ceremony, or sign the marriage certificate as the officiant. What respondents did was an act of conscience and witness in support of same-sex marriage, which should be honored. They did join with others in saying words of pronouncement which complainants felt might constitute “presiding over the ceremony”, one of the things the bishop recently shared with all clergy as being her understanding of actions that do not “live within the Discipline.”
3) Both respondents and complainants desire to enter into conversation about the tension of being faithful to God’s call to full inclusion while living within the parameters of The Book of Discipline, a book which increasing numbers of United Methodists believe currently stands in opposition to human rights and God’s law of love. They commit to work toward and support opportunities to engage in reverent dialogue, guided by the Holy Spirit, through which truth and love can be shared. They urge that these opportunities include:
a. Ask the chairs of the Orders of Elders and Deacons and of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members of the West Michigan and Detroit Annual Conferences to sponsor a joint Holy Conference on “Keeping and Breaking the Covenant: Biblical Obedience, Acts of Conscience, and The United Methodist Discipline.” Bishop Kiesey agrees to invite and encourage all members of all Orders and Fellowships to participate in this Holy Conference.
b. Ask the chairs of the Orders of Elders and Deacons and of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members of the West Michigan and Detroit Annual Conferences to sponsor a joint Holy Conference on Christian marriage and pastoral responsibility. Bishop Kiesey agrees to invite and encourage all members of all Orders and Fellowships to participate in this Holy Conference.
c. Participation in and support for the Michigan Area Truth and Reconciliation Process.
d. Urging support by the West Michigan and Detroit Conference 2016 General Conference Delegates for proposals to change The Book of Discipline so that it offers full inclusion for all people in the life and ministry of The United Methodist Church
4) Each of the parties to this Just Resolution agree that the terms of this resolution may be shared as needed. Further, they agree that they will not disclose the content of any other conversations which may have taken place during the Supervisory Response Process or speak on behalf of any other party to the agreement.
5) This Just Resolution having been agreed to by all parties shall be a final disposition of the complaints in this matter.
Signed: Oct. 1, 2015
Rev. James W. Barney Rev. Marilyn B. Barney
Rev. James Thomas Boutell Rev. Scott E. Manning
Rev. Douglas W. Vernon Rev. John Matthew Weiler
Rev. Edrye A. Maurer
Signed: Oct. 7, 2015
Rev. Amee Paparella Bishop Deborah Lieder Keisey
Rev. John W. Boley Rev. William E. Haggard
[Signed by the above parties on the dates indicated. United Methodist Insight holds a signed copy of this agreement as documentation of the statement's accuracy].