Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for May 4:
exclusive – Kids and Stewardship @ holston.org- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TOP STORY: Stroud reinstated; bishops respond
A decision to reinstate a United Methodist pastor who lost her clergy credentials in December under church law concerning the practice of homosexuality "does not in any way reverse the standards in our Book of Discipline," according to the denomination's Council of Bishops.
In a statement issued May 1 as the bishops gathered for their spring meeting in Washington, the council's executive committee said the April 29 decision of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals was based on legal error, not lack of evidence.
Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud of Philadelphia appealed her case after a trial court of the United Methodist Church's Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference found her guilty on Dec. 2 of violating church law, which forbids the ordination and appointment of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals."
Read the complete report from UMNS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Grants available to repair or build churches
Rural churches seeking to repair or to build new facilities may be elgible for up to $5,000 from the Renfro Trust Fund. The application deadline is Sept. 1, 2005. Parsonages are excluded from this grant opportunity.
In 2004, 60 percent of Renfro applications from Holston churches were rejected due to inadequate preparation. Church leaders may receive aid in preparing applications by submitting completed or partially completed applications at the Annual Conference registration desk by 5 p.m., Monday, June 13, in Lake Junaluska, N.C. For more information, e- mail Mat Merker.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Design the next GC logo; win $500
Entries are being sought for a logo design for the 2008 General Conference depicting the theme "A Future with Hope," from Jeremiah.
The Commission on General Conference is sponsoring the contest and will award $500 for the winning design. Deadline for entries is June 15.
Read more about the contest
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
How to get quick answers to UMC questions
Have a question about apportionments? Communion? Clergy sexual misconduct?
InfoServ, the official information service of the United Methodist Church, responds to more than 200 questions a day by e-mail, phone, and fax. InfoServ not only answers your questions, but points you in the right direction to locate people and necessary resources. (Editor's note: InfoServ's responses are amazingly fast!)
Visit the InfoServ site; ask a question
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Need a presenter at your next mission gathering?
A Knoxville couple has been trained as mission interpreters for Red Bird Missionary Conference and is available for appearances at Holston churches. For more information, contact Ed and Carrie Carter by e-mail or call (865) 522-4534.
Learn more about Red Bird Missionary Conference
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Reinstated in Philadelphia: Who said that?
"Other faith traditions out there have tried to shut us down and tell us we're not worthy. I pray for a day when no one will experience discrimination."
--the Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud, who spoke Sunday at an interfaith service to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a historic gay rights rally in Philadelphia, two days after her reinstatement
Read the complete AP report
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Your online calendar: Remember these dates