[ed note: There will be a worship service in celebration of Sherrill's new standing as a Licensed Professional Minister on Sunday, April 27th, 4 pm, at First Christian Church in Boulder Colorado to which all are welcome.]
Dear Friends,
Things are changing in the Central Rocky Mountain Region (CRMR) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and I wanted to tell you about it.
In 1990, resolution 9004 was passed at our Regional Assembly, denying standing to gay men and lesbians, either as ordained clergy or as Licensed Professional ministers (formerly known as licensed lay ministers.) One clergy woman, Rev. Cheryl Breiner, was stripped of her standing in the early 90's when she came out to the Committee on the Order of the Ministry, which deals with issues of standing.
Recently, the bylaws of the region have been rewritten and that language has been removed. Rev. Cheryl Breiner was given her standing back. You can read about her story in the January Disciples World. My personal joy is that I have been the first openly lesbian candidate to go before that committee since that change. While the LPM process is typically a two year process of education and mentoring, the committee looked at my education and ministry over the past 18 years and waived the requirement, granting me my standing immediately.
It was a bittersweet moment, sweet in becoming recognized by and accountable to the region, but bitter in realizing that it was a recognition denied to me for 18 years. I was left wondering how many of my brothers and sisters left the region after resolution 9004 was passed or more likely, how many of them gave up on their dream of ministry and found other careers.
Before I close, I want to recognize and celebrate the contributions of our last regional minister, Dr. Ron Parker, in making these changes possible while holding the region together! His work on behalf of social justice in this region was impressive and constant.
Blessings and Celebrations from Colorado!
Sherrill M. Morris
Fireside Christian Church
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