.....what have we done?

Two weeks ago, we held a prayer vigil at St Johns in support of the Rev Ecclesia de Lange, a Methodist minister who was appealing against her conviction and sentence by the church. Similar services were also held in other parts of the country. Ecclesia had bravely and honestly chosen to enter into a civil union with her partner, Amanda, and had decided not to do this secretly, but rather with the full knowledge of her congregation. Her action broke no law of our land; nor am I convinced that it broke any law of our church.

The Methodist church has been engaged in debate concerning its position on same-sex partnerships for at least the past seven years, without quite managing to come to any finality on the matter. Ecclesia was sentenced, inter alia, to suspension as a minister, until the church finally makes a decision on its position!

Late this week, I discovered that her appeal was unsuccessful, and that the Connexional Disciplinary Committee has recommended to the Presiding Bishop that she be discontinued as a Methodist minister. I am shocked and appalled at this outcome, which seems to me only to reaffirm the growing suspicion too many of us have that the church is not, and does not intend to become, a truly inclusive community.

Such a decision strikes at the very heart of the Gospel, and challenges our community just as surely as Apartheid did “back then”. Let us not fool ourselves; this is a profoundly serious incident in the life of our church, that requires of us just as much prayerful attention and careful committed action.

And to all those members of the St Johns community who find themselves in similarly painful situations to that of Ecclesia and Amanda, insofar as I am able, I apologise most profoundly on behalf of the church. Please do not give up on us now; more than ever, we need to stand together.

Rod