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Irene Elizabeth 'Beth' Stroud may have lost her ministerial credentials, but she has not given up on The United Methodist Church.

The former Philadelphia clergywoman, whose sexual orientation led to a Dec. 2 guilty verdict by a church trial court, had not expected to win her case, but she expressed hope afterward 'that in time and through God's spirit, The United Methodist Church will change its (Book of) Discipline.'

Because Stroud, 34, had publicly acknowledged that she was living in a committed relationship with another woman, she was found to have violated the church's rule that forbids the participation of 'self-avowed practicing homosexuals' in the ordained ministry.

The trial court ? or jury ? of 13 clergy members voted 7-6 to withdraw her credentials. 'In the divided vote, I feel the dividedness of the church, but I feel hopeful,' Stroud said. She considers the trial to be a 'teaching moment' for the denomination, she said.

The two-day trial was held at Camp Innabah, a church-owned retreat center in the denomination's Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. Retired Bishop Joseph Yeakel of Smithsburg, presided.

Despite being unable to perform the sacraments, Stroud said she is eager to continue her ministry at First United Methodist Church in Germantown, Pa. ? where she had been an associate pastor since 1999 ? as a layperson.

Stroud was charged with violating Paragraph 2702.1(b) of the 2000 Book of Discipline, or church law, by engaging in practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings. The charge originated from a complaint filed by Bishop Peter Weaver, who led the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference until Aug. 31 and currently serves the New England Conference.

The charge was supported by four specifications of evidence, and the trial court found Stroud guilty of each specification by a vote of 12-1.

Following the verdict, Stroud has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the outcome to the committee on appeals for the denomination's Northeastern Jurisdiction.

Speaking after the trial, the Rev. Thomas Hall, who was lead counsel for the church, told United Methodist News Service, 'We do not like bringing charges against a colleague, but the Book of Discipline is very clear about what it means to be an ordained United Methodist minister. It is terrible that we had to bring charges, but this was about accountability ? holding ministers accountable to appropriate behavior.'

The Rev. J. Dennis Williams, who served as Stroud's counsel, said he was disappointed that Bishop Yeakel had limited the scope of the defense. The bishop had ruled that certain matters the defense team intended to present were not appropriate for a trial court but were matters to be considered by the Judicial Council or General Conference ? the church's supreme court and top legislative assembly.

'The trial was not about winning or losing,' Williams said. The proceedings did show how the issue of homosexuality and the ordained ministry could be debated without anger, he added. 'Perhaps this can be a piece in a journey that will help us to look at this issue not just from law, but from theology.'

The Rev. Fred Day, senior pastor of the Germantown church, expressed frustration and disappointment with the process. 'This is not the United Methodist Church of our past heritage or best future, to be driven by rigid rules and regulations, but by ever-widening circles of grace,' he said.

Speaking for the jurors, the Rev. Jeffrey Snyder, chairperson, told the press that the split vote regarding the penalty against Stroud was evidence that 'there is not one uniform thought concerning this issue in The United Methodist Church.'

A statement made on behalf of Bishop Marcus Matthews and the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference also mentioned the lack of uniformity. 'While the trial may be over, the pain and division over homosexuality is not ending,' it said.

Bishop John R. Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, a friend and former supervising pastor, was called to testify on Stroud's behalf. He said in a press statement that he was 'saddened that Beth's fitness for ministry has been questioned.'

But Bishop Schol said he believes 'our love for one another and the church is stronger than our disagreements.' Schol wrote a unity statement that was approved by more than 90 percent at the 2004 General Conference.

He wants members of the denomination to learn from one another, he said. 'I call everyone in the church to be healers and bridge builders,' he said in a statement. 'Pastors and church leaders have the opportunity to share and interpret to their congregations and communities concerning the church's actions today in ways that build understanding rather than heighten divisiveness.'

Bishop Schol, in a letter sent to clergy members of the conference and others after the trial, said that building understanding and bridges at this point are crucial.

'I hope we will all stay at the table,' the bishop wrote, 'and continue to be in dialogue. I am willing to meet with pastors to think and pray about how we will live and serve together in the midst of our differences.'

BISHOP SCHOL'S STATEMENT December 2, 2004 The Rev. Beth Stroud and I served together on the ministerial staff of West Chester United Methodist Church from 1997-1999. Today I testified that in my experience, Beth is an excellent pastor who has been highly effective in making disciples for Jesus Christ. General Conference, our denomination?s highest legislative body, re-affirmed a rule last May that said self-avowed, practicing homosexuals are not to be ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church. General Conference has also said, in our Social Principles, that 'We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn their lesbian and gay members and friends.' This is the tightrope our church is currently walking. Some want to divide the church because of disagreements on this and other issues. We are also divided about how to interpret Scripture and how to do theology. Yet, I believe our love for one another and the church is stronger than our disagreements. As United Methodists, we committed at that same General Conference, by a 90 percent majority, that in the midst of different beliefs concerning homosexuality, we will remain unified toward our common mission of making disciples to serve the spiritual and social needs of others. I believe we can learn from each other and I call everyone in the church to be healers and bridge-builders. Pastors and church leaders have the opportunity to share and interpret to their congregations and communities concerning the church?s actions today in ways that build understanding rather than heighten divisiveness. By demonstrating our love for and commitment to The United Methodist Church in the midst of differing opinions, we will communicate our confidence that God will lead us through these challenging times. As a colleague and friend, I am saddened that Beth?s fitness for ministry has been questioned. She is a good person and a caring and effective pastor. I ask every United Methodist to keep Beth, her loved ones, her congregation and The United Methodist Church in your prayers. We have never been a perfect church, but we have always been a church willing to struggle with hard questions and to disagree with each other in a spirit of love. May we continue in this grace.