Archives News 1999 about Covenant Relationships from CORNET

CORNET News Archives 1999

News links are from a variety of sources, not all of which agree with CORNET's perspectives. The information in these are the opinions of the authors.

News links are from a variety of sources, not all of which agree with CORNET's perspectives. The information in these are the opinions of the authors.

1999

November

United Methodist Church Goes on Trial by Laura Montgomery Rutt, November 14, 1999
The Rev. Creech will not have council, nor will he call witnesses. To do so would validate the unjust law for which The United Methodist Church must be held accountable.

Prayer Vigils for Jimmy Creech November 1999

How You Can Support Jimmy Creech, November 1999

The Renewal of Vows of Larry Ellis and James Raymer, text of this service of worship in Nebraska, external link to Soulforce

Jimmy Creech: Amid Tidal Waves of History, Reconciling Kansas Newsletter, November 11, 1999

United Methodist Group Responds to Planned Protest of Clergy Trial, November 8, 1999

Soulforce Open Letter to Bishops Grove and Martinez, The Jury Pool and All Trial Participants, All Clergy and Laity of the United Methodist Church, November 7, 1999

October

Supporters of Rev. Jimmy Creech Prepare for Church Trial by Laura Montgomery Rutt, October 31, 1999

September

Creech to stand trial again, UMNS, September 24, 1999

Jimmy Creech to Face Another Church Trial, September 23, 1999

August

The Covenant Service of Linda Enger and Eleanora Piombino, a photo essay by CORNET

Taking it to the streets to say ‘I love you,’ The Houston Voice, August 27, 1999
When Linda Enger and Elli Piombino say "I do" to each other this evening outside Bering United Methodist Church on Harold Street, they will create a little history. And a subtle but firm act of gay activism will occur.

"Same-Sex Wedding Prompts New Creech Inquiry," Omaha World Herald, August 26, 1999

Litigation too expensive and harmful for most church discipline cases by Judge Merrill L. Hartman, external link to The United Methodist Reporter, August 18, 1999
As one who is familiar with both disciplinary procedures, I write to affirm ... a church disciplinary process that achieves reconciliation rather than punishment. As with many of our judicial situations, the classic litigation grid doesn't fit discipline for the "conducting of ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions" prohibited by the United Methodist Book of Discipline (Paragraph 65C).

Lesbian couple plans union service without official OK Houston Chronicle, August 13, 1999
Together for a quarter-century, Linda E. Enger and Eleanora N. Piombino want to do as many couples do: reaffirm their mutual commitment at their church, with their friends and family on hand to help celebrate.

July

Linda Enger, Eleanora Piombino to Exchange Vows Outside Bering Memorial UMC, July 31, 1999

Gay Marriage in the Methodist Church, external link to Salon Magazine, July 29, 1999
The Rev. Don Fado has put his ministry on the line for homosexual rights. "I wasn't being disobedient," he says. "The church was disobedient, losing sight of what it's meant to be."

Complaint Against Jimmy Creech Referred, July 16, 1999

Creech Complaint Moves Forward, Omaha World Herald, July 20, 1999
A second church trial for a controversial United Methodist minister who has twice defied his church's ban on same-gender covenant ceremonies has moved a step closer.

Bowman reflects on 15 years in welcoming movement, July 16, 1999
After 15 years, Mark Bowman is leaving his position as the Reconciling Congregation Program's executive director.

Methodism's Dilemma, external link to editorial by the Toledo Blade, July 18, 1999
... Mr. Fado's bishop, obviously inclined toward mellowness, doesn't believe his church must have a formal position on everything. In some cases, it could, for example, keep peace in its ranks if it left certain of its judgments to God.
This is a position that makes sense for everyone, regardless of their thoughts on homosexuality. One must look past individual differences to the common core all people share if we are each to grow. Isn't growing what life is all about?

Complaint Against Jimmy Creech Referred, July 16, 1999

June

Methodist Mutiny, external link to The Washington Post, letters to the editor from Don Fado and Mark Tooley about "Lesbian 'Marriage' Threatens to Split United Methodists," June 30, 1999

Texas Church Won't Wed Gays or Straights, external link to The Salt Lake Tribune, June 19, 1999

'Sacramento 68' investigation will likely be long, official says, UMNS, June 18, 1999

"Lesbian 'Marriage' Threatens to Split United Methodists," external link to Washington Post, June 16, 1999.

Couple stands ground, may lose home, Chicago Sun-Times, June 19, 1999.
A male couple has been denied rental of a cabin at the United Methodist Historic Campground in Des Plaines, Illinois. A mixed gender couple who owns a cabin at the campground has posted signs protesting this action and who have said he two men can stay with them. A campground official says the campground will take title on June 21 and will change the locks to the cottage the couple bought five years ago.

Lesbian 'Marriage' Threatens to Split United Methodists external link to Washington Post, June 16, 1999

April

Minister risks another church trial for uniting 2 men; Complaint expected, bishop says by Yonat Shimron, external link to News-Observer, North Carolina, April 29, 1999

Commentary: A Response to the Dell Trial by Jimmy Creech, external link to News-Observer, North Carolina, April 2, 1999

March

Leslie Penrose Withdraws from UMC, Tulsa World, March 6, 1999
"It felt right . . . to take that opportunity, with dignity, to say goodbye," she said.
She said the couple showed courage in going public with the ceremony. "In light of that incredible witness on their part, it felt right not to get any further enmeshed in charges and complaints but to simply let that act of courage and love speak for itself about what our ministry was about."

Greg Dell trial: questions and answers, UMNS, March 4 1999

February

Minister's Book Seeks Blessings of Gays, external link to Post-Gazette (article about More than Welcome by the Rev. Maurine Waun

United Methodist pastor faces disobedience trial (Greg Dell), February 24, 1999

United Methodist Pastor Faces Trial for Conducting Service of Holy Union, Broadway UMC, February 23, 1999

God Bless You! God Bless Us All! A Response to the United Methodist Reporter by CORNET, February 5, 1999

Holy Union Organizer Disputes Editorial's Views, letter to United Methodist Reporter, February 3, 1999

Video of Sacramento Ceremony Available, February 1, 1999

January

California Clergy Officiants, Sacramento Holy Union (list of names), added locations for the three additional clergy added 1/21

Affirmation and CORNET Leaders Celebrate Witness of Lesbian Couple and Clergy Officiants in Sacramento, January 15, 1999

Dichotomy over gay couple's holy union rite spurs thoughts, emotions, by Chuck Myer Sacramento Bee, January 31, 1999

Open Letter to the Bishops (Good News on Sacramento clergy, Statement of Commitment signers, and others), external link to GN, January 29, 1999

Sacramento ceremony leads to complaint against Iowa minister, UMNS, January 22, 1999

Bishop compelled to uphold church law in wake of ceremony, external link to UMR, January 21, 1999

Statement by Confessing Movement About Sacramento, external link to CM, January 19, 1999

California Clergy Celebrate Holy Union for Two Women (with photos), UMNS, January 18, 1999

Bishop Delays Judgment on Lesbians' Union, San Francisco Chronicle, January 18, 1999

Illegal rituals aren't the way to effect change in our church, external link to editorial by UMR, January 18, 1999

Methodist ministers defy their church, bless lesbian union, San Francisco Examiner, (a good article with interviews of Circle of Love participants and others), January 17, 1999

A Service of Celebration of the Holy Union of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton

At Gay Wedding, Methodists Take a Vow Against Church Ban By Rene Sanchez, the Washington Post, January 17, 1999

Affirmation and CORNET Leaders Celebrate Witness of Lesbian Couple and Clergy Officiants in Sacramento, January 15, 1999

Sacramento Holy Union Service-Related Events Information about events around the country

"Evangelical fellowship disapproves of same-sex ceremony", UMNS, January 15, 1999

It's the "wedding" of the year for U.S. Protestantism, Associated Press article, January 14, 1999, by Richard Ostling.

Priest Taken to Task Over Gay Marriage Petition against Pleasanton pastor, San Francisco Chronicle, January 14, 1999 (includes material about the Sacramento Holy Union and quote from Rev. J. Philip Wogaman)

Clergy to challenge United Methodist same-sex union policy, UMNS, January 12, 1999 (includes full statement of Bishop Talbert)

Circle of Love Announcement, external link to San Rafael First United Methodist Church's announcement (nice graphical adaption of CORNET's images)

No Longer Sojourners: A Statement in Support of Same-Sex Holy Unions by Laity of the California-Nevada Annual Conference

Methodist Pastor to Bless Gay Union, external link to the San Francisco Examiner, January 12, 1999 (an excellent article)

Baptism: Gifted and Called to a New Year of Justing Love by John Auer (officiant at California Holy Union) , January 11, 1999

California Evangelical UMC's Protest of Jan 16th Mass Lesbian Wedding, external link to Unofficial Confessing Movement, January 9, 1999

Ceremony service blessing the holy union of Ellie Charlton and Jeanne Barnett, January 7, 1999

Statement by California-Nevada Clergy, January 7, 1999

CORNET News Archives 1999

See Also