Feb. 25, 2004
Pastor faces complaint for performing gay marriages

By Chuck Myer

SAN FRANCISCO (UMNS) - A complaint has been filed against a United Methodist clergywoman for performing a series of gay wedding ceremonies after City Hall issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Rev. Karen Oliveto conducted seven ceremonies at San Francisco City Hall and an eighth in the sanctuary at Bethany United Methodist Church during the Feb. 15 worship service. Oliveto, Bethany's pastor, said she was acting on requests by the eight gay or lesbian couples after City Hall announced it would issue the marriage licenses. The pastor, who knew all the couples, said she took the requests as "an opportunity to extend pastoral care" to her parishioners.

Her district superintendent, the Rev. Jane Schlager, informed her Feb. 19 that a complaint has been filed against her for "disobedience to the order and discipline of the United Methodist Church." A pastoral and administrative supervisory meeting in early March with Bishop Beverly Shamana of the California-Nevada Annual (regional) Conference will be the next step in the complaint process.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity of discussing and sharing with the church the miracle of God moving in our midst in San Francisco and creating a new world," Oliveto said at a Feb. 22 news conference, with her congregation standing behind her.
"As a pastor, I have been incredibly moved by this experience," she said.

The United Methodist Book of Discipline forbids the celebration of same-sex unions by the denomination's clergy and in its sanctuaries. The book states that homosexuals are persons of sacred worth, but it condemns the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching.

Bethany parishioner Michael Eaton notified Oliveto on Feb. 12 that marriage licenses were being issued at City Hall. Eaton, a lifelong United Methodist, immediately asked Oliveto to perform a wedding ceremony for him and his partner, Sean Higgins.

"We felt incredibly loved and supported by Karen," Eaton said, "and proud to have a pastor courageous enough to serve the pastoral needs of all her congregation." Eaton added that he and Higgins support "family values" and are adopting a child.

Church members lay hands on the Rev. Karen Oliveto following a same-sex wedding ceremony at Bethany United Methodist Church in San Francisco.

Oliveto said she only performed ceremonies for couples with whom she had a pastoral relationship or that she had counseled. The next day, Oliveto did a similar ceremony for Gloria Soliz and her partner of nine years, Julie Williamson, under the City Hall rotunda.

"She brought a sacredness to it that made it personal," Williamson said. Soliz was raised Methodist, but Williamson had no church background, and now says "the love and support from Bethany UMC has showed me what it's all about. They all want to celebrate with us."

Though approached by other couples wanting pastoral blessings, Oliveto said she politely refused. "I had to say, 'I'm sorry, I'm only here for my parishioners.' My goal is to be a faithful pastor, and to provide the deepest and most meaningful experiences that my members can have."

While acknowledging the denomination's ban on holy unions, Oliveto said she believes everything has changed with the issuance of government-sanctioned marriage licenses by the city. She cited Paragraph 331.1(i) in the Book of Discipline: "The decision to perform the (wedding) ceremony shall be the right and responsibility of the pastor." In addition, she cited Paragraph 162.H of the Social Principles, "Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation": "Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons."

However, others disagree. The Rev. Jim Garrison of Sonora, Calif., president of the Evangelical Renewal Fellowship, said he is concerned when his clergy colleagues choose to disobey what he says are clear provisions in the Book of Discipline.

"These actions threaten the unity of our whole connection," he said of the weddings. "The General Conference (meeting in Pittsburgh April 27-May 7) is the only group that can make rules for the whole church, and individual pastors are not free to revise those rules. It's a question of accountability. If we can't enforce our rules, there will be a call for stronger rules."

The Rev. Harry Wood of Visalia, Calif., a retired pastor who in 2000 led an unsuccessful movement for the creation of a separate evangelical conference, said a clear separation must be maintained between civil matters and religious matters. "I'm for granting civil rights, but (these ceremonies) fly in the face of Judeo-Christian tradition."

But others believe traditions will change in the 21st century. "The world has shifted radically," Oliveto said. She said she was surprised both by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's quick actions and her same-sex parishioners' reactions. "It shows their support for the institution of marriage."

Oliveto has been pastor of the diverse Bethany congregation since 1992. In 2002, she earned a doctorate in religion and society from Drew University with a dissertation on "Movements of Reform, Movements of Resistance: Homosexuality and The United Methodist Church."

Oliveto said that performing the recent same-sex ceremonies was "the most moving thing I've ever done in my ministry - to finally be able to pronounce them legally wed."

While performing government-sanctioned gay weddings is unusual, Oliveto isn't the first United Methodist pastor to face a complaint for celebrating same-sex union services. Other pastors in recent years have faced similar complaints, which in some cases have led to well-publicized clergy trials and loss of credentials. However, not all cases go to trial. The Book of Discipline lays out a detailed process for handling complaints and a variety of possible resolutions.

Myer is a freelance writer based in California.


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Mar. 2, 2004
Population changes mean continued need for Hispanic plan
By United Methodist News Service

New patterns in both migration and immigration have propelled Hispanics to the Southeastern United States.

The Rev. Eli Rivera, coordinator of the United Methodist National Plan for Hispanic Ministry, said that some of the denomination's annual (regional) conferences in the Southeast have experienced a 200 to 300 percent increase in Hispanic population. Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, for example, have flocked to the East Coast. The region's conferences are now seeking ways to reach these groups, he noted.

That's one reason why the plan's organizers are asking the United Methodist General Conference to renew its work for another four years, at a requested cost of $3.8 million. The church's top legislative body meets April 27-May 7 in Pittsburgh.

"Delegates need to know that of the money we're requesting, $1.5 million is in grants to annual conferences," Rivera told United Methodist News Service.

Matching grants to conferences are a key motivational tool for the plan, which will mark 12 years of operation at the end of 2004. Thirty conferences have received grants, to date, he said, and the hope is to obtain proposals from the other half during the 2005-2008 quadrennium.

Average funding is $50,000 for a multi-project grant or $20,000 for a single-project grant. Many conferences raise even more than the required matching amount for their programs, according to Rivera.

The plan's accomplishments from 1993 to 2003 included the establishment of 75 new churches and 75 revitalized churches in 35 conferences; the establishment of 600 new faith communities in 52 conferences; and the training of 900 lay missioners, 130 pastor/mentors and 125 facilitators.

If renewed by the 2004 General Conference, the plan also will have a new name: The National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry. The addition of the word "Latino" not only reflects a growing desire by some of Latin American origin to be identified by that term, but also a plan goal to minister to a growing Brazilian population in the United States, Rivera explained.

"In many Hispanic communities, we have Brazilians worshipping in Spanish," Rivera said, pointing out the need for a Portuguese-language ministry. And in cities like Dallas and Los Angeles, where Brazilian populations are growing, "no ministry has been developed."

David Ortigoza, coordinator of the United Methodist Southeastern Jurisdictional Administrative Council for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, knows all about the trends. A Brazilian and former general secretary of the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean, he was specifically invited to the jurisdiction in 2001.

"I think this a great deal for the United Methodist Church," said Ortigoza, whose office is at Lake Junaluska, N.C., and covers 14 annual conferences and one missionary conference in nine states. "It's a very good opportunity to improve the mission with the Hispanic/Latino community."

Growth in the Hispanic/Latino population has been especially prevalent in North and South Carolina and Georgia. The first Brazilian faith community has started in North Georgia as a ministry of a local church.

Each conference has a different way of doing ministry, partly because of the various cultures involved. "We can't use the same model for everybody," Ortigoza said.

His council hosted a Feb. 19-21 convocation at Lake Junaluska aimed at helping church leaders and members of non-Latino congregations understand the various models of ministry and types of resources offered by the National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry.

One of the strategies emerging from the annual conferences themselves, according to Rivera, is to establish a Hispanic ministries coordinator staff position. To date, 27 conferences use such a coordinator. "Having the coordinators help the conferences themselves organize the work," he explained. "That's something we're going to continue to celebrate and encourage."

Other plan goals for 2005-08 include:

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Mar. 3, 2004
Karen Dammann trial: questions and answers
By United Methodist News Service

On March 17, the Rev. Karen Dammann of Ellensburg, Wash., will undergo a United Methodist clergy trial to respond to a charge that she has violated church law by stating that she is living in a homosexual relationship. UMNS will cover the trial, and updates will be posted online at http://umns.umc.org.

What is a church trial?

In a United Methodist church trial, an individual responds to a charge or charges of having violated denominational law, as set forth in the Book of Discipline.

A trial is described as a "last resort" in the Book of Discipline. When a complaint is filed against someone, the matter is first addressed in a supervisory process and usually resolved. If resolution doesn't occur, the complaint may be forwarded to the conference committee on investigation, which conducts hearings and decides whether grounds exist for converting the complaint to a charge for trial.

The conference bishop designates another bishop to preside over the trial, and a jury or "trial court" of 13 clergy members from the respondent's annual conference - in this case, the Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference - hears the case. Nine votes are necessary to convict.

Why is Dammann on trial?

She is charged with "practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings." A complaint was filed against Dammann after she informed her bishop in February 2001 that she was "living in a partnered, covenanted homosexual relationship." United Methodist law forbids the appointment of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals."

Dammann, a clergy member in full connection since 1994, had already been serving United Methodist congregations and was on family leave at the time. She made the disclosure in a letter to Bishop Elias Galvan, stating that she wanted to return from leave and receive a local church appointment.

What is the denomination's official policy on homosexuality?

The United Methodist Church, in its Book of Discipline, states that homosexuals are people of sacred worth. However, it regards the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teachings. The church forbids the ordination and appointment of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals." It also forbids the celebration of same-sex unions by its clergy and in its sanctuaries.

More information on the church's policy, along with a history of its struggle over issues related to homosexuality, is available at umns.umc.org. Click on "Resources for Editors," then "Backgrounders."

Where is Dammann now?

Effective March 1, Bishop Galvan placed Dammann on family leave at her request. She had been serving First United Methodist Church of Ellensburg, Wash., since July 1.

Who made the complaint against Dammann?

Bishop Galvan filed the initial complaint in 2001, at the direction of the United Methodist Judicial Council, the denomination's supreme court. For more than two years that followed, the complaint wound its way through the denomination's judicial processes.

When the Judicial Council heard the case for a second time in October 2003, it reversed the decisions of two lower-ranking church bodies, the Western Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals and the Pacific Northwest Conference Committee on Investigation. In split votes, both committees had supported the dismissal of charges against Dammann.

The Judicial Council said both committees had committed "an egregious error of church law" by refusing to apply the Book of Discipline and the council's earlier decisions to the case. The court ordered the jurisdictional appeals committee to send the case back to the conference committee on investigation for a new hearing. The Judicial Council also said it was retaining jurisdiction of the matter. After further hearings, the committee on investigation voted 5-2 on Jan. 12 that grounds existed for a church trial.

When and where will the trial be held?

The trial will begin March 17. It will be in the fellowship hall of Bothell United Methodist Church at 18515 92nd N.E. in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle.

Jury selection will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be closed to the public. Reporters and other observers will be admitted after the trial court has been chosen, but not before 1 p.m.

The court is expected to be in session from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, with a lunch break from noon until 1:30 p.m. If the trial runs into the weekend, the court will recess at noon Saturday, March 20, and resume at 9 a.m. Monday, March 22.

Who will preside over the trial?

Bishop William Boyd Grove of Charleston, W.Va., will preside. Grove was elected in 1980 and served the denomination's West Virginia and Albany, N.Y., areas before retiring in 1996.

Grove presided over the 1999 clergy trial of Jimmy Creech, who was charged with violating church law by officiating at same-sex union services. Creech, who had already undergone a clergy trial in 1998 for similar charges, was found guilty in 1999 and lost his ministerial orders.

How are members of the trial court - jurors - chosen?

The 13 members and two alternates will be chosen from a pool of Pacific Northwest clergy. The Book of Discipline specifies that at least 35 pastors must be named to the jury pool. The bishop's cabinet-the district superintendents-chooses the names for the pool. Special consideration is given to ensuring that the pool is diverse in terms of race, ethnicity and gender. The counsel for each side has up to four peremptory challenges, as well as unlimited challenges for cause. The alternates will sit as observers and will be prepared to serve if one or two of the original jurors is unable to.

Will the trial be open to the news media and spectators?

Yes. United Methodist Church law provides for open court proceedings at the request of the respondent. However, seating will be limited. No cameras or audio or video recording equipment will be allowed in the courtroom.

What happens if Dammann is found guilty? Not guilty?

With a guilty verdict, the trial court would have a range of penalties to consider, including the removal of ministerial orders or a "lesser penalty." While at least nine votes are needed to convict, seven votes by the trial court are necessary to set the penalty. If she is found not guilty and decides to return to active ministry, she would need to request a change of status according to procedures in the Book of Discipline.

Does a precedent exist for an openly gay United Methodist clergyperson standing trial?

Yes. In 1987, Rose Mary Denman of New Hampshire underwent a trial after declaring that she was a lesbian. She lost her clergy credentials as a result. Unless the respondent requests an open trial, clergy trials are confidential and private proceedings and might never become public knowledge.

How can I get press credentials to the Dammann trial?

For credentials, contact Stephen Drachler, director of public information, United Methodist Communications, at sdrachler@umcom.org. Drachler also will be on site and available to help news media. He can be reached at (615) 456-4710 (cell) or (615) 742-5411 (office).

Who are the principal spokespeople?

For the annual conference: The Rev. Elaine Stanovsky, (206) 728-7462 or (425) 750-7257.

For Dammann: Lindsay Thompson, a Seattle attorney, (206) 285-4130 or (206) 618-5466.

How will United Methodist News Service cover the trial?

Covering the trial for UMNS will be writers Lynne DeMichele and Kim Riemland. Seattle-area photographer Les Fetchko will shoot the event. Updates will be posted during the proceedings at umns.umc.org, and a wrap-up story or stories will be posted when the trial ends.


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Feb. 27, 2004
Court ruling won't affect faith-based grants, official says
By Shanta Bryant Gyan*

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - A Supreme Court decision denying a state-funded scholarship to a student preparing to enter the ministry will not impact federal grants to religious service organizations serving the poor, according to a White House official.

Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, said the Bush administration does not believe the Feb. 25 court decision will change the White House plan to allow more religious groups serving poor communities to receive federal funds to carry out social services, such as drug treatment programs and programs for the homeless.

He explained that the court ruling was based on a specific provision in the state of Washington's constitution that prohibits using public scholarships to finance religious training.

"Yesterday's case was so narrow in its scope," said Towey of the court ruling, during a Feb. 26 press conference call.

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Washington state was within its rights to withdraw a scholarship awarded to Joshua Davey, who was seeking a degree in pastoral ministries. The Washington state constitution stipulates that students may not receive the tax-funded Promise Scholarship to pursue a devotional theology degree.

The court ruling raised widespread speculation that the decision may have implications for the Bush administration's newly created Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Towey stressed that the faith-based initiative "stands on strong constitutional ground" and will continue providing federal money to religious social service organizations. The office was created in 2001 to expand the role of faith-based and community organizations in addressing social problems in the United States.

The government official said the U.S. Constitution permits an ongoing partnership between faith-based institutions and federal grant-making agencies, and the

White House faith-based initiative office is "moving forward."

Yet Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the court majority opinion that the use of federal funds to support religious groups has historically been a contentious issue.

Eliezer Valentin-Castanon

"Since the founding of our country, there have been popular uprisings against procuring taxpayer funds to support church leaders, which was one of the hallmarks of an 'established' religion," Rehnquist wrote.

Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas dissented from the court's decision, declaring the ruling amounted to religious discrimination. "Let there be no doubt: This case is about discrimination against a religious minority," Scalia wrote.

The Rev. Eliezer Valentin-Castanon, program director at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, asserted that the Supreme Court decision is in line with church policy on the separation of church and state.

"The decision of the court is a good decision because it follows church policy on the separation of church and state," said Valentin-Castanon.

The denomination's policy on church-government relations and education states that people of a particular faith should use their own money to strengthen the belief system of their particular religious group, but not at the expense of taxpayers. "They should not, however, expect all taxpayers, including those who adhere to other religious belief systems, to provide funds to teach religious views with which they do not agree," according to the policy, found in the denomination's 2000 Book of Resolutions.

Valentin-Castanon noted that the court's ruling does not preclude the state from providing scholarships to students attending religious institutions without the intention of becoming ministers.

*Gyan is a freelance journalist based in the Washington area.