Two Women - One Gay and One Straight - Ordained in a Methodist Tradition

"Extraordinary Ordinations" in Tucson show the way to inclusion

MEDIA RELEASE

October 24, 2011

Two women — one lesbian and one straight — were ordained into Christian ministry of word and sacrament on October 23 at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Tucson. The ordinations were through Church Within A Church (CWAC), a movement leading the way to full inclusion in the church.

DeLyn Celec's ordination process was discontinued from the United Methodist ordination process when she was asked if she was in a Civil Union with her partner and answered "yes."

"I am called to Extraordinary Ordination with the Church Within A Church Movement," Celec said. "Its distinctively Wesleyan heritage, and commitment to ending oppressions of all types, makes it feel like my Church." Celec will continue serving as Worship Arts Coordinator at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.

Robyn Morrison stopped the United Methodist Church ordination process when her lesbian daughter tearfully asked her why she would want to be ordained in a denomination that would not allow her to perform the wedding of her own daughter.

"I feel called to sacramental ministry within the Methodist tradition," said Morrison. "Sadly, exclusion in the United Methodist Church continues to harm me, my beloved daughter and my beloved friends, who are gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual. I am being ordained through Church Within A Church because it is rooted in the teachings of John Wesley and Jesus who both tore down walls of exclusion."

"These ordinations are in a Methodist tradition but since the United Methodist Church continues to ban gay people from full participation and leadership, we were welcomed at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church," said CWAC executive director, Cathy Knight. "DeLyn and Robyn are very talented people, highly qualified ministers and we are honored to support their ministry."

The Church Within A Church Movement is a grass roots response to specific discriminatory actions of the United Methodist Church's General Conference. This movement recognizes the systemic racism and heterosexism of the institutional church and therefore finds its energy in supporting and forming avenues for the inclusive and just church to flourish now.

Contacts:
Ann Craig, Craig Media Action. Mobile, 917-280-2968
Cathy Knight, Director, Church Within A Church Movement. Mobile, 312-282-1556