WASHINGTON ? During worship at St. Luke's UMC Sunday morning, Jan. 16, and a reception and program that afternoon at Metropolitan Memorial UMC, Irene Elizabeth 'Beth' Stroud spoke of the necessity for local churches to be part of the 'reconciling ministries network.' Nearly 100 people attended each of the events. Stroud was, until December, an associate pastor at a United Methodist church near Philadelphia. On Dec. 2, she was stripped of her credentials by a jury of 13 United Methodist pastors because, they concluded, she had violated church law against 'self-avowed, practicing' homosexual clergy. Stroud told the Washington Post that she has been overwhelmed by requests to speak. Part of the reason she accepted the St. Luke's invitation was because her cousin, Sandi Stroud, is a member and the church has been considering joining the reconciling network for years, said the Rev. Anne Yarbrough. As they stood at the front of the church at the conclusion of the service, Yarbrough handed Beth Stroud her white stole, as a 'symbolic way to express my support.' Stroud is no longer allowed to wear the ceremonial garment. 'I know the day will come when you'll be wearing stoles again,' Yarbrough said.
| 
Login/Register to leave comment