Mennonite Church USA
Ordains First Openly Homosexual ‘Pastor’
In Violation Of The Word Of God Which Forbids
Women Pastors And Defiant Active Homosexual Unions
THEDA GOOD
SEE:
Theda Good, Pastor of Nurture and Fellowship Theda Good joined the pastoral team in August 2012. She is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, VA with an M. Div and concentration in Spiritual Formation/Direction. Theda has previous experience as a spiritual director and pastoral care provider, along with serving on various church committees . Originally from Pennsylvania, Theda loves to explore the outdoor recreation of Colorado. Residing in Denver she enjoys spending time with friends in the mountains or on the many bike paths in the Denver area.
A SIMILAR, BUT MAYBE EVEN WORSE SITUATION HAS BEEN DEVELOPING IN MARYLAND
A SIMILAR, BUT MAYBE EVEN WORSE SITUATION HAS BEEN DEVELOPING IN MARYLAND
Maryland Church Defiantly Calls Lesbian Assistant Pastor:
EXCERPTS:
Hyattsville (Md.) Mennonite Church confirmed Michelle Burkholder for the pastoral role in a congregational vote July 28. The church council unanimously recommended her for the half-time position, which starts Sept. 1. An alumna of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., Burkholder has a master’s degree in theology and arts from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in St. Paul, Minn. She is not currently licensed or credentialed. Her experience in lay leadership at St. Paul Mennonite Fellowship translated into involvement at Hyattsville, where she and her wife, Becky Haas, have attended for about four years. “She’s preached several times, and she’s on the worship committee,” said Cindy Lapp, Hyattsville’s lead pastor. “She’s served at the soup kitchen where we serve and is involved with worship arts.” Burkholder and Haas have been married since February, when Lapp performed the ceremony at the church. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Maryland since Jan. 1. Lapp performed a similar ceremony a few years earlier, which caused Allegheny Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA to review her ministerial credentials. Hyattsville was disciplined by Allegheny in 2005 when delegates found its inclusion of gays and lesbians to be inconsistent with MC USA Membership Guidelines. Hyattsville specifically offered membership to homosexual Christians in committed relationships.
Cynthia Lapp speaks as a group of young Mennonites and ministers, wearing pink, gather to protest outside the Mennonite Church USA’s biannual meeting Thursday, July 2, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. Lapp, pastor of Hyattsville Mennonite Church in Hyattsville, Md., says her congregation has lost its voting rights within the church for welcoming gays and lesbians, and other congregations have been kicked out altogether.
EXCERPTS:
"Twenty-seven-year-old Katie Hochstedler, who grew up in Kalona, Iowa, declared herself “a young queer Mennonite.”"
"Rev. Cynthia Lapp, pastor of a Mennonite church in Hyattsville, Md., said her congregation lost its voting rights within the denomination for welcoming gay worshippers in 2005. She declined to say whether they might face expulsion."
"Kristin Sampson, 32, leads a youth group at the Hyattsville church with her lesbian partner, 37-year-old Becca Walawender."
EXCERPTS:
"Twenty-seven-year-old Katie Hochstedler, who grew up in Kalona, Iowa, declared herself “a young queer Mennonite.”"
"Rev. Cynthia Lapp, pastor of a Mennonite church in Hyattsville, Md., said her congregation lost its voting rights within the denomination for welcoming gay worshippers in 2005. She declined to say whether they might face expulsion."
"Kristin Sampson, 32, leads a youth group at the Hyattsville church with her lesbian partner, 37-year-old Becca Walawender."
