Beth Stroud served as an ordained United Methodist pastor for six years before losing her clergy credentials in a 2004 church trial. In the trial, Beth was found guilty of “practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teaching” because she acknowledged living in a committed relationship with another woman.

The process that led to the trial began in April, 2003, when Beth told her congregation, the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, about her relationship with Chris Paige, a consultant to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The congregation offered nearly universal support to Beth, setting up a legal fund to assist with her defense and hiring her as a lay minister after she lost her credentials.

The trial verdict was overturned on appeal, but the original verdict was reinstated by the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church in October, 2005. The Judicial Council is the highest judicial body of the United Methodist Church. There is no further avenue of appeal.

Today, Beth serves the First United Methodist Church of Germantown as a part-time pastoral assistant. She preaches several times a year and teaches the youth confirmation class. In addition, she is the author of You! A Faith That Fits, the official youth curriculum of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Beth accepts occasional guest preaching and speaking invitations.

Beth holds an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, and a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College. Before going into professional ministry, she worked as a writer and editor in New York City.

Beth and Chris make their home in Philadelphia. They serve their community as foster parents, and are currently blessed to share their life with a beautiful two-year-old girl.

Beth's profile at the LGBT Religious Archives Network