The first legally married gay woman in a Methodist tradition was ordained on Sunday in an “Extraordinary” ordination. The ordinations were called “Extraordinary” because they went against “ordinary” policies in the United Methodist Church that deny ordination to otherwise qualified candidates because of sexual orientation or inclusive beliefs.
The ecumenical service on Sunday, October 19, 2008, included Bishop Susan Morison and Bishop Jesse DeWitt from the United Methodist Church and leaders from, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic Women Church and United Church of Christ traditions.
The sponsoring group of United Methodists are called “Church Within A Church Movement” who organized six years ago to BE the church they wanted the church to be. After years of planning and careful consideration of applicants for ordination, two candidates were approved.
Annie Britton and Jenna Zirbel were ordained with great celebration among upwards of 300 friends and family, clergy and bishops on Sunday, October 19, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. The soaring gothic Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church at 10 East Mount Vernon Place in Baltimore, Maryland, provided a fitting setting since Baltimore is the birthplace of American Methodism.
The candidates were elated since they had both experienced rejection in their previous applications for ordination—despite support from many within the church who had experienced their gifts for ministry.
Annie Britton was excluded from ordination because she is gay and legally married to her partner in Massachusetts. “After we were married,” Annie said, “I knew I could not keep my marriage covenant a secret any more than I could keep my covenant to serve God’s people a secret.”
Jenna Zirbel, was previously denied ordination because she voiced support for gay equality during her application for ordination in the United Methodist Church. “Even though I am straight and my ordination care committee recommended me unanimously,” Jenna said, “I was denied ordination because I stated my support of gay and lesbian people in the church.”
Bishop Susan Morrison, one of two retired United Methodist bishops present said, “For too long, selective reading of the Bible has meant that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their supporters have been excluded and punished for their honesty when they reject the ‘don't ask, don't tell’ practices of the church.”
As an ecumenical ordination, hands were laid on the two ordinands by Bishop Morrison and retired United Methodist Bishop Jesse DeWitt along with leaders from the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic Women Church and United Church of Christ. Sponsors and participants were also invited to lay on hands and gathered at the altar.
Bishop DeWitt said, “What a wonderful, historic day! God’s love was embodied by ordaining these two gifted women. I’ve seen Methodists first resist, then accept active lay participation in services and the ordination of women, and finally end the separation of congregations by race. I hope and pray it will not be another generation beyond mine until this will be completed.”
“Church Within A Church is working hard to model what the church can be. An inclusive church can flourish now,” said board president, Rev. Kevin A. Johnson. “The Church Within A Church Movement is a grass roots response to help the United Methodist Church become the church it says it is.”
“We are thrilled about ordaining Annie and Jenna and are so hopeful about the future of our program,” said executive director, Cathy Knight. “Church Within A Church ordains qualified people; plants prophetic churches, addresses white privilege and discrimination based on race and other perceived differences. We develop curriculum and worship resources and cultivate ecumenical partnerships with like-minded groups. The future belongs to those who truly open their doors, their hearts and their minds.”
Church Within A Church is a progressive Methodist movement dedicated to BEing the fully inclusive church and to model what the United Methodist Church can be.
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