From UMC Connections:
At a news conference at Arch Street United Methodist Church Dec. 16, the Rev. Frank Schaefer said he will not surrender his clergy credentials and intends to continue to be an outspoken advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.Schaefer is at the end of his 30-day suspension from ministry after a church trial Nov. 18-19 found him guilty of violating his vows as an ordained United Methodist elder when he officiated at his son’s same-sex wedding in 2007 and disobedience to the order and discipline of The United Methodist Church.
The trial court of 13 ordained United Methodist clergy said that at the end of the suspension Schaefer had to pledge to follow the United Methodist Book of Discipline “in its entirety” or surrender his credentials.
Schaefer said he would not voluntarily surrender his ordination credentials when he meets with the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference board of ordained ministry on Dec. 19.
