Posted on 07/19/2015 7:53:12 PM PDT by markomalley
An openly gay United Methodist pastor said his "I Dos" in front of more than 30 clergy members and 100 guests Friday, days after he was forced to resign for having a partner.
The Rev. Benjamin Hutchison married his partner, Monty Hutchison, in a ceremony on the steps of the historic Cass County Courthouse.
Hutchison called it a joyous occasion.
"Walking around the courthouse and seeing all the support, seeing all clergy there gathered standing there saying that they support it, they're not opposed to it, it really was a blessing today."
Hutchison, 31, resigned earlier this week from his position as senior pastor at Cassopolis United Methodist Church Monday, where he had worked since January 2013, after the bishop's office received a report that he had a gay partner. Hutchison said he would have been fired had he not resigned.
Hutchison said it had been well known and accepted in the congregation that he is gay, and he even had legally changed his last name to Hutchison, his partner's last name, in February 2013. Hutchison said he understood when he took the job it might be difficult for the congregation and he understood it was against the United Methodist discipline.
The church accepts members who are gay, but its Books of Discipline states " ... "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church."
The confrontation and Hutchison's resignation came as a blow to the congregation. Parishioners say Hutchison turned the Cassopolis United Methodist Church from one that was dying to one that was gaining new members. Hutchison said the church now has more than 140 members in its directory and it recently has become financially solvent.
Pastor Mark Thompson of Faith United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids officiated the ceremony with Ginny Mikita, a candidate for ordination within the United Methodist Church.
"I believe that Benjamin and Monty are very much in love and they deserve to be married and to celebrate the gift of love that God gave them," Thompson said.
Mikita said the United Methodist Church not approving of gay marriage has been her greatest stumbling block for continuing her candidacy. But, Mikita said, she felt the day was one of celebration and rejoicing.
"To be here today for Benjamin David, who had been a dear friend, ... to be able to walk that walk with him from the moment we met back in 2008 'til now, it's just remarkable," Mikita said.
Mikita said it was critical for Hutchison to have support for his ceremony on Friday.
"I believe that there is a swell of support that already exists within the denomination (of Hutchison)," Mikita said. "It only continues to grow, and I think it was evidenced here by the number of clergy that showed up not only from West Michigan congregations and conferences, but I met folks that came from the Detroit area and Illinois to be here today to demonstrate their support."
Mikita said the county clerk's office closed at 12:15 p.m. Friday for the ceremony, and to show support for the Hutchisons.
Rich First, a Stevensville resident who attended Hutchison's ceremony, credited Hutchison with pulling him out of his depression.
"I was very depressed, and one meeting with this pastor brought (me) out of depression so far that I started coming (to the church)," First said. "You would not believe the ability that this pastor has to make the whole church cry, laugh, rejoice you name it. I haven't been to church for 30 years and one afternoon with him changed that. I knew he was gay and the church knew too."
The Methodist Church has released a statement to media stating it will not comment on personnel matters such as Hutchison's. The statement goes on to say that the church's clergy and laity will discuss the church's official position on gay pastors at its General Conference in May 2016 in Portland, Ore.
Hutchison said he sees some change happening within the church, but would like to see it change further.
"I want the church to change," Hutchison said. "I believe the congregation, specifically in Cassopolis and Southwest Michigan and the Chicago area, has changed. The members have changed. They understand it. My members were in full support."
“Each week he grapples with the scriptures and presents new and innovative ways to understand the teachings of the Bible. The Reverend Hutchison is young, energetic, and very interactive with the children and adults during his sermons, and each week the altar takes on a new personality to visually represent the scripture lesson.”
I am sorry your minister does not understand what is happening in the world. I hope you are able to find another church home.
Please be wary of “professional Christians”. They are no good.
Oh man. Warning - do not go to link.
Picture of two guys kissing slaps you in the face immediately. Ewwwww.
Ping
“Married his partner”
No he didn’t.
They stood together and spoke lines.
Doesn’t make them “married” any more than it makes me Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
And the SCOTUS can’t change that one iota.
“Seems as if Catholics are not the only ones being attacked here. “
I may be Catholic but my Granny was a Methodist. She would have NEVER gone for this outrage!!! This is not my Granny’s Methodist church.
There will be a fight...ongoing for years... about gay marriage and clergy at General Conference and prayers are needed and welcome that our traditional, biblical definition of marriage is not changed in our Discipline. This weighs heavy on my heart. The northern and western states are pushing for it and have been for years.
United Methodists may one day not be United.
Nor my grandmother’s, my mother’s my father’s or mine.
Sad ping
Indeed
I would’ve let the blasphemer have it right in the middle of his diatribe.
Whatever gave him that idea?! I predict the UMC losing more and more congregants.
>>Please be wary of “professional Christians”. They are no good.
A pastor with a tentmaking job does it out of love for God. The professionals do it to change the world, then for the money, eventually for the retirement and benefits. Somewhere in that process, the people just become a revenue source and scripture becomes another empty corporate mission statement.
Big deal if the UMC “officially” opposes homosexuality. When they openly tolerate it and its supporters in practice, such a policy is meaningless.
Exactly — the gaymafia is attacking all. TEchnically though, this guy is an ex-pastor
We left the Episcopal Church back in 2007 when we saw how the church was going over the homosexual sham marriage. We asked for signatures to get marriage for one man one woman on the ballot and a few said they had no problem with it.
We told the preacher we were done and he agreed with us that it is a shame today how some come to church and ignore what they are coming to church for.
Did they meet in a highway rest stop?
Maybe one of them will give the other a gift of HIV for their “wedding” present.
It IS a big deal. Once they "officially" change their stance, they will be able to "officially" persecute those who disagree with the heretical views that are incorporated into their policy.
Not ALL Methodists are pro-sodomy leftists. Our resident retired Army Chaplain is an example.
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