NASHVILLE — The United Methodist Council of Bishops said it will not recognize the ordinations of two women, including a lesbian, by the unofficial Church Within a Church movement, according to a statement released Nov. 7.
The ordination service of the two women, one a lesbian and one a gay rights activist “was not approved by any United Methodist annual conference, board of ordained ministry or cabinet,” the United Methodist News Service reported.
While the United Methodist Church (UMC) welcomes gays and lesbians as members, it considers homosexual activity “incompatible with Christian teaching’’ and bars non-celibate gays and lesbians from the pulpit.
The Church Within a Church, the organization that ordained the women, is made up of Methodists who are “dedicated to being the inclusive church.” One of its goals is to change church policy on homosexuality. It has been operating for six years but has no official affiliation with the UMC.
The two women, Annie Britton and Jenna Zirbel, were ordained Oct.19 at a United Methodist church in Baltimore. Britton married her lesbian partner in Massachusetts and Zirbel said she was previously barred from ordination because she voiced support for “gay equality’’ during her application process.
Although some are unhappy with the church’s stance on homosexuality, bishops do not foresee a church split.
“The United Methodist Church is strong, and it is going to see its way through any controversies and any issues because in the end, it is not our church, it is God’s church and God is going to have God’s way,” said Indiana Bishop Michael Coyner. (TAB)
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