Dear FUMCOG family, We have received word that Beth Stroud’s case will go to a church trial beginning on December 1, 2004. We ask for your prayers. As you know, Beth has been involved in a church judicial process since April 2003, when she preached "Walking in the Light," a sermon in which she shared how she had experienced God’s grace in and through her experience as a lesbian living in a covenant relationship with a partner. United Methodist church law discriminates against gay and lesbian people serving in the ordained ministry. An investigating committee voted on October 11, 2004 that there were sufficient grounds to send Beth’s case to trial. This committee had voted earlier to send the case to trial, but that vote was invalidated on procedural grounds. The October 11 vote met the requirements of church law, and so the trial has been set. Beth is charged with “engaging in practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings.” The trial will be held at Camp Innabah. We sense the Spirit at work in this choice of location. Beth has been involved in the camping ministry of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference throughout her career, and has served on the Board of Camping and Retreat Ministries. Innabah itself is a “second home” for many of us at FUMCOG, who have experienced peaceful and restorative times there at our annual Family Camping Weekend. It is a place where we feel at home. When we agreed to walk with Beth on this journey of faithfulness and integrity, we knew that this day might come. We continue to love and support Beth. We believe that justice would best be served by Beth continuing to serve in the ministry she loves, and to which she is called, with full ordination credentials. We also believe that the Holy Spirit will be at work in and through this trial and everything that happens, and that God always brings more light, love, and justice out of acts of faithfulness and discipleship. You will want to know how you can help. We have included a list of ideas below. We are also forwarding, in a few moments, a pastoral letter from Bishop Marcus Matthews to all United Methodists in the area. With great love, Fred Day, Beth Stroud, and Melody Porter How you can help: (for members of First United Methodist Church of Germantown community) [If you are not a part of the First United Methodist Church of Germantown community, please refer to this alternate version] 1. Your prayers are wanted and needed more than ever, and they make a difference. Please pray for everyone involved in the trial, for the Annual Conference, for The United Methodist Church, and for FUMCOG. Please pray that God’s grace and love will be expressed in and through everything that happens. 2. Please help us keep the FUMCOG phone lines as free as possible for pastoral needs and other church business. There may be a high volume of phone calls from the media and the public, so for now, if you would like to express support for Beth personally, please send a card or an email instead of calling on the phone. Please use the online resources http://www.bethstroud.info and http://www.fumcog.org to get information about the case. 3. In Beth's April 2003 sermon, she called for casseroles – sharing food as a sign of our mutual love and support. The next six weeks are a time when literal gifts of food may be appreciated by Beth and Chris, and in fact by the whole church staff and leadership. It is likely to be a busy time for all of us, and it may be hard to take care of basic daily needs like preparing meals. The best things may simple, healthy foods that can be eaten with one hand while working, like vegetables and hummus. If you can, consider bringing a gift of healthy food to the church office – or even to share with others at your next church meeting. 4. Continue to give strong support to FUMCOG and all its ministries by making a pledge to the annual stewardship drive and volunteering for ministries of service. Volunteer in the Pumpkin Patch – we need volunteers to sell pumpkins tomorrow from 12-2:30, Friday from 12-4:30, and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Our church’s diversity and inclusiveness are very special, and we need everyone’s support to keep our witness strong. 5. The trial will be open, and FUMCOGers will be able to attend. Anne Ewing, Melody Porter, and Jerry Rardin are working on plans for prayerful ways of expressing our support. Please listen for word from them about the details. How you can help: (for people who are not a part of the First United Methodist Church of Germantown community) 1. Your prayers are wanted and needed more than ever, and they make a difference. Please pray for everyone involved in the trial, for the Annual Conference, for The United Methodist Church, and for FUMCOG. Please pray that God's grace and love will be expressed in and through everything that happens. 2. Please help us keep the FUMCOG phone lines as free as possible for pastoral needs and other church business. There may be a high volume of phone calls from the media and the public, so for now, if you would like to express support for Beth personally, please send a card or an email instead of calling on the phone. Please use the online resources http://www.bethstroud.info and http://www.fumcog.org to get information about the case. 3. In Beth's April 2003 sermon, she called for casseroles - sharing food as a sign of our mutual love and support. The next six weeks are a time when many people will be struggling with difficult emotions about the realities of the pending trial.  Please consider reaching out to be present with people in your own community who may need such support. 4. The trial will be open, and the public will be able to attend. Some people from FUMCOG are working on plans for prayerful, supportive witness as a way of expressing their support. As their plans develop, we will post information on our website and let this list know that it is there.