June 12, 2002
Transgender clergywoman raises new issue for church
By Joretta Purdue
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The Rev. Rebecca Ann Steen just wanted to return to pastoral ministry, but her efforts have landed her at the center of a new debate for the United Methodist Church regarding the status of transgender clergy.
Steen, a clergy member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, wants to end her voluntary leave and receive a pastoral appointment for the year that begins July 1. Others in the conference have said they do not believe a transgender person should be a pastor. Although the church's rulebook, the Book of Discipline, forbids ordination or assignment of "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals," it is silent on the issue of transgender clergy.
The clergywoman's efforts have been blocked, at least for the time being. A complaint has been filed against her during the conference's annual gathering, June 6-9. The complaint's content is confidential, but Bishop Felton Edwin May said on June 8 that it could affect Steen's availability for appointment. In addition, a hearing will be held later this month on whether Steen should be placed on involuntary leave.
Steen, 47, said she has no agenda "but to do the ministry that God has called and ordained me to do." Formerly the Rev. Richard A. Zamostny, she has three grown children and three grandchildren. She has been on voluntary leave since October 1999, when she underwent what she terms "gender reassignment."
Calling what she did a sex-change operation is wrong because it is so much more than that, she told United Methodist News Service in a telephone interview. It is a long process that involves many steps, she said.
"It's not something that someone undertakes lightly," she said. "It's never done without extensive counseling." It also is "not done without necessity. It's very critical in the lives of the people who do it."
The need comes from an understanding at an early age that one's spiritual and mental gender do not match one's physical gender, she said. Not everyone in that situation resolves it in the same way, she noted. Some people undergo the counseling and decide not to have medical procedures.
Morris Hawkins, president of the conference United Methodist Men, objects to the procedure, not the condition. "When you take that to the ultimate conclusion of having sexual reassignment surgery, you're saying to God, "You are making a mistake that I can correct.'"
He views the surgery and attendant procedures as "the ultimate sin of selfishness." The sin occurs when one alters the physical form, an act that amounts to saying "we're not willing to accept the will of God in our life," he said.
Hawkins said he agreed with a two-page statement issued by eight conference clergy on June 8. The Renaissance Affirmation, named for the hotel where the conference was held June 6-9, states, "We expect to bring legislation before our annual conference in the next year that will provide biblical, ethical, theological and psychological reasons as to why someone suffering from gender identity disorder does not fit the necessary criteria for the ordained ministry."
The affirmation expresses the belief that "a transgendered person is and always will be a child of God and a person of sacred worth." It goes on to say, "We do not believe that such a person is able to fulfill the necessary requirements, gifts and graces to serve as a United Methodist clergy person." It affirms "that Christ desires wholeness for all people, in every aspect of life," while it objects to gender reassignment surgery as the proper medical treatment for gender identity disorder.
The document's preamble also addresses those people who might consider leaving the church because of concerns about transgender clergy. "To those persons, we are asking them to pause and give our Book of Discipline the chance to catch up with this issue." The Rev. Barry E. Hidey of Bel Air, Md., led the writing group, comprising two female and six male ministers.
May said the complaint against Steen would be handled by the procedures outlined in the Book of Discipline. Steen's "availability for appointment may be affected by this prayerful process," he said.
The bishop noted that matters discussed in the conference's clergy session should be treated confidentially. He said that his ruling on questions of law arising in that session will be published later – an apparent reference to the conference journal, which is expected out in October. In addition, all bishops' decisions of law are automatically reviewed by the church's Judicial Council, which will meet in late October, and its decisions are made public.
The Rev. Robert Kohler, with the denomination's Division of Ordained Ministry, said that Steen has a right to a hearing before involuntary leave can be imposed. The Book of Discipline gives the bishop, district superintendents and executive committee of the conference board of ministry the authority to assign an interim leave of absence. An administrative review committee scrutinizes the process. If involuntary leave is assigned, it must be ratified or nullified by the conference clergy session, which isn't scheduled to meet again until June 2003.
In determining the appropriate supervisory response, the bishop can choose to pursue mediation between the complainant and Steen, according to procedures set forth in the Book of Discipline.
If the complaint is resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, that is the end of it. If it is not resolved, the bishop may dismiss it or allow it to proceed along one of two paths. One path could lead to a church trial. The other path often leads to remedial action related to ministerial effectiveness. The bishop decides whether a matter is a "judicial complaint" or an "administrative complaint." In either case, there are points in the process at which an appropriate body may decide the complaint is invalid.
As of late June 10, Steen was waiting to receive a copy of the complaint and to be informed of what the bishop is going to do.
The most difficult part of being on leave is the inability to participate in ministry, Steen said. "I cannot be faithful to my call." She has served congregations in three Maryland communities during her 17-year career.
She sought to return to active status last year but was asked to wait while study and discussion took place, she said. Last fall, a 12-member committee of conference clergy began a process that culminated in four one-time discussions that were open to the clergy and laity of the conference. These were facilitated by JUSTPEACE, a United Methodist mediation service.
"I am the first transgendered United Methodist clergy by circumstance, not by desire," Steen said. Transgender people serve as clergy in other mainline denominations, she said.
People take for granted the right to correct other congenital conditions such as hydrocephalus or heart defects, she said. "I think a whole lot of this (controversy) has to do with our fears around gender and sexuality."
She wants people to understand that the process has been difficult for everyone involved, "and that my brothers and sisters in the faith are compassionate and caring. I am sorry for any distress this has caused anyone, and I'm praying for everyone for God's guidance and grace."
"I love the church, and I love my work," Steen said. She believes God wants her to continue ministry through the United Methodist Church, and she said she does not have the courage to face this issue without God's leadership.
Purdue is the news writer in United Methodist News Service's Washington office.
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May 31, 2002
Charges against Seattle pastor dropped
By United Methodist News Service
A complaint against an openly gay United Methodist pastor in the denomination's Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference was dismissed after a May 30 hearing.
The conference committee on investigation decided to drop a complaint against the Rev. Mark Edward Williams. Consequently, he will not face a church trial and will continue to serve as pastor of Woodland Park United Methodist Church in Seattle.
The complaint alleged that a statement by Williams about being a gay man, read into the record of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference meeting on June 15, 2001, was incompatible with the denomination's standards for clergy.
A conference press release announced the decision by its nine-member committee, which deliberated about the complaint following the hearing. In a statement, the committee said it "found there was not reasonable cause to forward this matter for a church trial."
The decision of the committee, composed of seven clergy and two lay members, cannot be appealed, according to conference officials. The committee does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether reasonable grounds exist to support charges in a church trial. Five votes were required for Williams to be brought to trial.
Williams' statement in the 2001 conference session led the conference to seek a ruling from the church's highest court as to an apparent conflict between its prohibition of appointing "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" to lead congregations and its requirement that all clergy in good standing be given an appointment.
Bishop Elias Galvan filed complaints against Williams and another clergyperson following the Judicial Council's declaratory decision that the admission of being a "self-avowed practicing homosexual" was sufficient cause for a pastor to undergo a ministerial review. The council, which serves as the denomination's supreme court, rendered the decision during its Oct. 24-26 session in Nashville, Tenn. Galvan filed the complaints in December. That action started the process which concluded with the committee's decision.
In their own press release, members of the Woodland Park church, who had supported Williams throughout his ordeal, expressed joy that the complaint had been dropped and that he would be able to continue to serve the congregation. He has been the senior pastor there since 1999.
Williams, who was pleased about the decision, told United Methodist News Service that he had decided to focus "on answering the questions they would ask as clearly and honestly as I could" when he participated in the hearing.
But he said he also has made clear that the statement he made last June was meant to refer only to his sexual orientation and "at no point have I ever intended to discuss my sexual behavior."
What has sustained Williams during what has been a long, frustrating year, he said, is "the adamant support" of the Woodland Park congregation. "I never guessed their capacity to walk with me and care for me and advocate on behalf of our ministry together," he added.
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May 30, 2002
Man arrested for child sex abuse while serving church in '70s
By United Methodist News Service
A United Methodist layman is in jail for allegedly molesting two boys while serving as a probationary clergy member in Southern California during the 1970s.
Gary Allen Carsonhull, 57, faces 18 counts of lewd acts with a child, according to the news reports. Arrested on May 21, he will be arraigned June 12 and is being held in lieu of $900,000 bail.
United Methodist officials in both California annual (regional) conferences are cooperating with police and ministering to those who are affected by the situation.
Carsonhull is a member of Los Altos United Methodist Church in the San Francisco Bay area. Los Altos is in the denomination's California-Nevada Annual Conference, which includes Northern California. No allegations have come from the congregation, according to Jeneane Jones, the conference's communications director.
The alleged abuse occurred when Carsonhull was a probationary member working toward full clergy membership in the conference that covers Southern California, now called the California-Pacific Annual Conference. Carsonhull allegedly molested the boys between 1975 and 1979, according to the Associated Press, citing a criminal complaint. The alleged acts occurred as he participated in field trips and other activities involving the youth group of a Long Beach church, authorities said. The Long Beach church is also named Los Altos United Methodist Church.
Since local media carried accounts of Carsonhull's arrest, additional people have contacted police, some alleging that the youth minister also molested them during the 1970s.
News accounts of the arrest said that one of the boys reported the incidents to his parents, who asked the Long Beach church to terminate Carsonhull rather than report the allegations to police. Reporting such cases to the police was not mandatory at the time.
The current pastor of the Long Beach church confirmed that assertion. The Rev. Jerry Larsen said in a telephone interview with United Methodist News Service that he had been aware of the history but not the current charges before Long Beach Detective Craig Newland called on the day of the arrest.
"The senior minister before me knew about it from his predecessor, who was John Zimmer," the senior minister, who was consulted by the parents in 1979 and whose action led to Carsonhull's immediate dismissal and surrender of his ministerial credentials.
Larsen quickly attempted to inform Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, who has been out of town. Her office was helpful; the California-Pacific Conference chancellor gave counsel, and the conference crisis team leader has been in consultation, Larsen said.
"When we first heard of the events, we went back to our church's sex abuse policy," he said. "I recommend that every church adopt such a policy." He explained that the conference has a policy in place to prevent sex abuse in the church, to educate members and staff about the issue, and to deal with the situation if a case is reported. The Long Beach church had adopted essentially the same policy, and it has served as a guide.
Larsen wrote a letter, which is posted on the church's Web site, and read it in both church services the following Sunday. After both services that morning, he held informal sessions to answer any question from church members.
"I believe these things really need to be aired, and the truth needs to be spoken," Larsen stated. Honesty and healing are the good that can come out of what is a very difficult situation, he said. Larsen expressed sadness about what transpired in 1979 and for those who will now revisit painful experiences. He said he hopes the current ministry of the church won't be adversely affected.
Bishop Beverly Shamana, who leads the California-Nevada Conference, addressed the situation in a May 24 letter to her clergy members. In addition to currently being a layman in the California-Nevada Conference, Carsonhull served as youth director for First United Methodist Church in Walnut Creek in the early 1970s. At the time, he was a student at the Pacific School of Religion and was employed as a part-time youth minister, according to Jones.
In her letter, Shamana said that California-Nevada Conference leaders are taking several actions in response to the case, all in line with established church policy regarding sexual misconduct.
"We are pursuing an investigation as to Mr. Carsonhull's actions while part of a church staff in this conference," she said. "Any evidence of child sex abuse in this conference will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
"We are committed to reaching out to any who may have been hurt by abusive behavior in this conference," she said. "In these circumstances, we are called as the people of God to respond in care and compassion."
The California-Nevada response team is working with California-Pacific leaders and the authorities on the case, she said.
In her letter, Shamana reminded the clergy members of the importance of having policies that safeguard children. "Both Los Altos and Walnut Creek churches have strong policies in place to protect children from abuse," she said.
Carsonhull joined the Los Altos Church in Northern California in 1983. "He is a member of the church, and he attends occasionally," said the Rev. Kristie Olah, minister of discipleship for the congregation. "He and his wife have been active in some social aspects of the church." The couple has two sons.
Carsonhull was active as a parent when one of his sons was in the Boy Scouts "quite a number of years ago," Olah said, but he did not hold any leadership positions.
"We've taken the issue very seriously," Olah said. On Sunday morning, May 26, the Rev. Mark Bollwinkel, senior pastor, preached on the topic and read the letter from Shamana. Bollwinkel invited the congregation to pray for any alleged victims and to remember that Carsonhull has been charged but not convicted. The pastor asked the congregation to pray for Carsonhull's family and for the entire church. He also emphasized that everything is being done to protect children and youth in the congregation, Olah said.
"There is a need to be open and to help people to understand that we are not trying to sweep this under the rug," she said, noting that the United Methodist Church responds to such situations when they come to light.
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June 12, 2002
Missouri annual conferences vote to merge
By Fred Koenig
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UMNS) — Members of Missouri's two annual conferences have voted to merge and create a new regional body in the United Methodist Church.
In a joint session on June 3, members of the Missouri East and West annual conferences voted 747 to 528 to become one conference, effective Jan. 1, 2003. The merger will reduce the total number of U.S. conferences, or regional units, to 64.
The proposal was approved by votes of 360-308 in Missouri West and 387-220 in Missouri East.
Both conferences already share a spiritual leader, Bishop Ann B. Sherer, who will continue to lead the new entity until the 2004 South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas. At jurisdictional conference, bishops for the eight South Central states are elected, retire, reappointed to their current locations or shifted to other annual conferences.
For the past few years, both Missouri conferences have also shared an area staff, which already works with churches on both sides of the state.
After much conversation, delegates acknowledged that the move would not be so much a merger of two separate organizations as it would entail the removal of departmental lines within a single administrative office, which oversees the Missouri Area.
The merger will unite the coordination of ministries and administration of more than 950 churches and more than 1,000 clergy members in the state, said Karen Gordy-Panhorst, communications coordinator for the Missouri Area. However, the change probably won't be noticeable to the state's 180,000-plus United Methodists, she said.
Many joint session attendees were relieved that a vote finally occurred, since merger discussions had been ongoing for eight years as leadership in both conferences examined the best way to organize for mission and ministry, Sherer said.
The leadership first streamlined the conferences' council and team structures, setting up parallel structures in east and west. The conferences then looked at districts and conference staff, and discovered that if both cooperated as a Missouri Area, the number of districts could be reduced from 15 to 12. That would make more effective use of existing resources and eliminate duplication of staff.
The tasks were accomplished in 1999. The conferences then formed a committee that began working on the best way to address clergy support issues as an area, as well as looking at how union might occur. Both conferences found solutions to their issues and told leadership on June 3 that they were ready to be one conference in Missouri.
"Each step of the way, the leadership team in Missouri has sought to discern the best way forward, and I am deeply grateful to this team and their careful, prayerful work that has brought us to this next step along our journey," Sherer said. "The gracious, faithful and committed people who have worked together all these years are a source of great hope and joy to me, and more importantly, to the area. We are excited about what comes next."
The bishop said that as the Missouri Area continues this reorientation of its conference life, "we want to focus on spiritual leadership for our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ whom God can use for the transformation of the world. We believe that we now have a structure in place that will enable us to more effectively and efficiently accomplish this mission."
Koenig is associate editor of the Missouri Area Review, the newspaper of the Missouri East and West annual conferences.
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June 7, 2002
Black medical college, insurer, unite in seat-belt drive
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist-related medical school and an auto insurance company have teamed up to increase seat-belt use among African Americans.
Meharry Medical College in Nashville and State Farm Insurance Companies, headquartered in Bloomington, Ill., have formed an alliance to address what they say is a public health crisis.
Automobile crashes are the second leading cause of death among African Americans, according to Meharry and State Farm. The Meharry-State Farm Alliance will assist the school and insurance company in understanding why African Americans use seat belts less than other groups. The campaign will use the information it gathers to create culturally appropriate educational materials and public awareness efforts.
State Farm has pledged $10 million to support Meharry's medical and research initiatives on the issue during the next five years. The alliance also will use recommendations from a blue-ribbon panel formed in 2000 by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater to address the gap in seat-belt use by African Americans.
The Meharry-State Farm Alliance will conduct community-based research into attitudes and behavior about the use of seat belts and child safety seats, and it will test methods for changing behavior. The findings will used in educational materials for community health centers, medical and dental offices, churches, schools, historically black colleges and universities, the media and community-based organizations.
Data from a study conducted by Meharry researchers show that use of seat belts and child safety seats among African Americans would save an estimated 1,300 lives, prevent 26,000 injuries and save $2.6 billion in costs to society annually, according to Jill Scoggins, spokesperson for the school.
Seat-belt use among African-American males 18 to 29 years old has remained "stagnant," while use among other groups has grown, according to the study. Scoggins said researchers also found that African-American youth are 50 percent less likely to buckle up than whites or Hispanic youth. Nationally, in 2000, more than 41,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 3 million were injured.
"Over the course of its 125-year history, Meharry has established its leadership in identifying and addressing the disparities in morbidity and morality between African Americans and other underserved populations, and the population as a whole," said Meharry President John E. Maupin. "This new alliance furthers our work. Meharry is pleased to unite with State Farm in the drive to save lives."
"As a corporate citizen, we feel a strong responsibility to try to find an answer to this overwhelming problem," said Willie Brown, senior vice president of State Farm Insurance.
Meharry Medical College is the only historically black professional school related to the United Methodist Church, and is the nation's largest, private, independent African-American institution dedicated to educating health science professionals. Today, more than 15 percent of the African Americans who receive degrees in medicine and dentistry each year are Meharry graduates.
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