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Foundry UMC in Washington, D.C., has recently stirred up a debate over its policy of ministering to those who have made commitments through same sex unions.

Saying that it felt wrong to encourage, support and reinforce commitments between his straight members and not his gay and lesbian members when these relationships clearly demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit as well, the Rev. Dean Snyder, senior pastor of Foundry UMC in Washington, D.C., said via a letter posted on Foundry's Web site. The church will recognize same-sex unions in specially designed worship services.

In the church's February newsletter, Snyder announced he will lead services that "recognize and honor lesbian and gay committed relationships."

These church services, however, will not be "ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions," he added, citing the denomination's Book of Discipline sanction against United Methodist clergy performing such ceremonies.

Snyder said that his action reflects "an attempt to be ecclesiastically obedient while at the same time offering pastoral care to our members."

"I love our church but not our policies that exclude," Snyder stated in the letter. "I belong and will continue to belong to the United Methodist connection. I believe our church can and will grow beyond its current unjust and inhospitable treatment of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers.

Conservative and liberal pastors and laity of the conference have differing views about Foundry's recent actions. While they all expressed great respect for Snyder as a colleague and pastor, not everyone was of one accord.

"I question whether it's legal," said Rev. Barry Hidey, of Bel Air UMC. "It might be, but it's still going against the spirit of the Discipline. I respect Dean. We work together as colleagues. The good part is we can agree to disagree."

A right-wing religious group in Washington. has also weighed in, saying that if Foundry is not violating the actual law in the Book of Discipline, it is certainly violating the spirit, or intent, of the law. But not everyone sees it that way. Some, in fact, applaud Snyder's actions. Jen Ihlo, a member of Capital Hill UMC, is one who supports Snyder.

"I think what he is doing is wonderful," said Ihlo, who holds several key leadership positions in the conference, including membership on the Discipleship Council and Board of Trustees. "Foundry is celebrating the lives of all of its members. It's important to be in relationship with everyone. He isn't working outside of the Book of Discipline."

The Rev. Kevin Baker of Oakdale-Emory UMC in Olney agrees that all churchgoers should be ministered to, but he added that it is the job as a pastor to steer people away from sin.

"Dean has a pastoral heart," Baker said. "I know Dean cares about all people. But I believe that the denomination has it right. In general, I have a similar sense of passion and compassion for all
people, but the Bible is clear.

"I don't want any injustice against anyone. But this is incompatible with the will of God. I want to help them to experience God's grace."

Guidelines for the new services at Foundry require that same-sex "marriage" ceremonies, where couples actually exchange vows, be held off-site and not be led by a church minister.

The church could, however, host worship services that recognize and honor commitments that have already been made. Only couples that are members and have attended a "Pre-Cana" marriage preparation weekend can participate.

Critics point to the 1996 General Conference, which at that time adopted the following statement: "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches" (Par. 341.6).

General Conference has continued to uphold a ban on church-sanctioned homosexual unions and has also determined that the practice of homosexual practice is "incompatible with Christian teaching" (Par. 161G).
Delegates will consider several resolutions seeking to overturn that policy at the 2008 General Conference, which begins April 23 in Fort Worth, Texas. In his pastoral letter, Snyder urged members of Foundry to work for changes to the Discipline because it "discriminates against people because of their sexual orientation."

The Discipline is also clear, he pointed out that homosexual people "are individuals of sacred worth" and that United Methodists should be committed to "be in ministry for and with all persons."
Ihlo agrees, adding that Jesus would have a different take on the matter.

"Jesus railed against church law," she said. "He preached a gospel of love. That's what our congregations should be about. That's what (Snyder) is doing."

Rev. Joan-Carter-Rimbach, pastor of First UMC in Hyattsville, also supports Snyder. She said Snyder is doing what the church is supposed to do – reaching out and loving all people of God.
"Dean recognizes that they are also people of God," she said. "If he can find a way to love and support people, then I support him."

Baker said it will be hard to find common ground unless an honest, organized, discussion takes place.

"The problem is we tend to talk at each other, not to each other," Baker said. "So we never have a meaningful dialog. We are like a hospital that is supposed to treat patients, but no one gets healed because the doctors are arguing over treatment methods."

And violating the spirit of the law needs to be part of any discussion, Hidey said.

"I just feel this issue is divisive," he continued. "It's not a good conversation piece. It's like they're saying, ‘We know where the Discipline stands, so we will do everything but dot the I's and cross the T's."

In his letter, Snyder indicated that it is not about crossing a line, but more about justice for all.

"I have lived through a time when official policies of our church were racist … and not just moderately so but about as blatantly racist as any institution could be racist," Snyder said in his letter.

"I didn't love our racism but I still loved our church." Snyder concluded. "I love our church but not our policies that exclude. I belong and will continue to belong to the United Methodist connection. I believe our church can and will grow beyond its current unjust and inhospitable treatment of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers."