Anna Blaedel's Case Will Go to Trial

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Views from a Ridge

The Rev. Anna Blaedel will face a third church trial on a charge of violating the Book of Discipline for being an ordained clergywoman while also being a "self-avowed practicing homosexual," according to the decision of the Iowa Annual Conference's Committee on Investigations.

Rev. Blaedel disclosed the decision in a Facebook post quoting the committee's email:

“'It is with a heavy heart,' it began. The Committee on Investigation voted to refer the bill of charges to trial. I am 'charged with the offense of practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, specifically being a self-avowed and practicing homosexual, pursuant to Paragraph 2702.1(b) of the Book of Discipline.'”

Rev. Blaedel continued: "I receive this news with deep sadness and grief. We offered and invited ways to do this differently, and had hoped against hope that this might be an opportunity to create something more just, holy, and loving, together. Investing and wasting precious resources on a trial is cause for lament. So too, the relationships broken through this avoidable and preventable harm. We will only become a more just and loving church and world when we confess our complicity in evil, resist and divest from participation in it, and commit to doing it differently. I do not know what the vote was, or if anyone on the Committee tried to resist. Counsel for the Church, Rev. Bob Ward, had the chance to recommend dismissing the charge; instead he certified it and recommended a trial. The Committee on Investigation had the chance to dismiss the charge; instead they certified it and are initiating a trial.

"I grieve what and who the Iowa Annual Conference and UMC is becoming. Is this the church you want to be?"

A trial date has not yet been set.

Coincidentally, a link to Rev. Blaedel's post was followed on my Facebook newsfeed by the following post from my spiritual direction colleague, the Rev. Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt. I stress that Fred's post is in no way connected to Anna's; his just happened to follow theirs, but I believe in "God-incidences:" 

"Goodness is stronger than evil

"Love is stronger than hate

"Light is stronger than darkness

"Life is stronger than death

"Victory is ours through Him who loves us."

The writer of these comforting words is retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who not only led his country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission after apartheid, but has also become a staunch advocate of LGBTQ inclusion worldwide.

The hardest working man in United Methodism

The late soul singer James Brown was nicknamed "the hardest working man in show business" for his energetic act. It looks like J.J. Warren is on his way to becoming the hardest working man in United Methodism.

You probably remember J.J. from his spirited address at the 2019 General Conference about his deep zeal for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since February, J.J. has used the momentum of that appearance to start his own "circuit-riding" ministry while he (and all of us) await changes in The United Methodist Church that will permit him and other LGBTQ+ people to serve in ordained ministry as God has called them.

The latest issue of his newsletter, The Circuit, reports that over the summer, J.J. "visited twenty three different communities in nine states, and worshipped with over 4,000 United Methodists (and non-UMC friends)." He has posted a video of some of his travels on YouTube.

His appearances through the rest of the month are:

  • August 14: San Luis Opispo, CA http://www.umc.org/find-a-church/church/75096
  • Sunday, August 18: Harmony Toluca Lake, Toluca Lake, CA https://hollywoodumc.org/tolucalake-campus/
  • Saturday, August 24: Faith UMC Los Angeles, CA http://faithumc.org/
  • Sunday, August 25: Pasadena UMC, Pasadena, CA https://www.pasadenaumchurch.com/about-us

Bishop Oliveto upholds LGBTQ bans

Saying she acted with "sadness and shared pain," Bishop Karen Oliveto ruled in July that three parts of a petition brought before the Mountain Sky Annual Conference at its 2019 session were out of order. The three actions said the conference would refuse to comply with the Traditional Plan; would not enforce LGBTQ+ exclusion as given in the Book of Discipline; and would support pastors who perform same-sex marriages in violation of the UMC's prohibition. Read the full ruling of law here.

Alabama United Methodists apologize for LGBTQ harm

Between 500 and 600 United Methodists in Alabama have signed a public letter repenting of the UMC's stance on homosexual practice and apologizing for the harm the ban has caused LGBTQ+ people.

According to a report from CBS42 in Birmingham, members of the North Alabama Annual Conference tried to get the letter adopted at this year's session, but their effort failed. Drew Taylor reported: "Eden Johnson, a member of Birmingham First United Methodist Church, co-wrote the letter with Henry Gibson and said the purpose of the letter was to show both support for the gay community and unity within the church."

Taylor quoted from the letter: “For every time that someone in the church has hurt you because of who you are or who you love, we are deeply sorry; we hurt with you, and we are committed to pursuing God’s love and justice with you."

Media Mentions as of Aug. 12, 2019

Methodist church voids key vote on pro-LGBTQ church departures – NBCNews.com

500-Plus Alabama Methodists Apologize for Church's Anti-LGBTQ Stances – Advocate.com

Hundreds of Alabama Methodists offer public apology for church's homophobia – LGBTQ Nation

Nearly 600 Alabama United Methodists sign apology letter to gay community – CBS42.com

Almost 550 Alabama Methodists Signed an Apology Letter to the LGBT Community - Newsweek

UMC leaders offer LGBTQ community a letter of apology - WBRC

Editor's note: These reports are framed in a personal column, which allows for context and opinion.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.