Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Gay Michigan pastor marries partner days after being forced to resign [UMC]
Kalamazoo Gazette ^ | 7/19/15 | Emily Monacelli

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."


TOPICS: Current Events; General Discusssion; Mainline Protestant; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: homosexualagenda; hutchison; michigan; umc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-98 next last
To: elcid1970

“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.”


21 posted on 07/19/2015 8:47:09 PM PDT by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
Seeing all clergy there gathered standing there saying that they support it, they're not opposed to it, it really was a blessing today.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables". - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
22 posted on 07/19/2015 8:48:25 PM PDT by DesScorp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CaptainMorgantown

I am sorry your minister does not understand what is happening in the world. I hope you are able to find another church home.


23 posted on 07/19/2015 9:05:23 PM PDT by freemama
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Please be wary of “professional Christians”. They are no good.


24 posted on 07/19/2015 9:06:30 PM PDT by WENDLE (God bless America and give money to Freerepublic!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Oh man. Warning - do not go to link.

Picture of two guys kissing slaps you in the face immediately. Ewwwww.


25 posted on 07/19/2015 9:31:08 PM PDT by JudyinCanada
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy; Bryanw92; chajin; EandH Dad; EvilCapitalist; GarySpFc; jagusafr; Kay Ludlow; laweeks; ...

Ping


26 posted on 07/19/2015 11:13:32 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (If you can't make a deal with a politician, you can't make a deal. --Donald Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

“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.


27 posted on 07/19/2015 11:29:54 PM PDT by ExGeeEye (The enemy's gate is down....and to the left.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

“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.


28 posted on 07/19/2015 11:41:14 PM PDT by Morgana ( Always a bit of truth in dark humor.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

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.


29 posted on 07/19/2015 11:46:31 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Nor my grandmother’s, my mother’s my father’s or mine.


30 posted on 07/20/2015 12:03:38 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: xzins

Sad ping


31 posted on 07/20/2015 12:06:29 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ExGeeEye

Indeed


32 posted on 07/20/2015 12:08:13 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: CaptainMorgantown

I would’ve let the blasphemer have it right in the middle of his diatribe.


33 posted on 07/20/2015 12:35:43 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: markomalley
Hutchison said he understood when he took the job it might be difficult for the congregation ....

Whatever gave him that idea?! I predict the UMC losing more and more congregants.

34 posted on 07/20/2015 1:57:07 AM PDT by Rummyfan (Let us now try liberty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WENDLE

>>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.


35 posted on 07/20/2015 3:14:46 AM PDT by Bryanw92 (Sic semper tyrannis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Big deal if the UMC “officially” opposes homosexuality. When they openly tolerate it and its supporters in practice, such a policy is meaningless.


36 posted on 07/20/2015 3:51:28 AM PDT by fwdude (The last time the GOP ran an "extremist," Reagan won 44 states.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: markomalley; xzins

Exactly — the gaymafia is attacking all. TEchnically though, this guy is an ex-pastor


37 posted on 07/20/2015 4:00:58 AM PDT by Cronos (ObamaÂ’s dislike of Assad is not based on AssadÂ’s brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CaptainMorgantown

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.


38 posted on 07/20/2015 4:01:50 AM PDT by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: markomalley

Did they meet in a highway rest stop?

Maybe one of them will give the other a gift of HIV for their “wedding” present.


39 posted on 07/20/2015 4:10:38 AM PDT by fwdude (The last time the GOP ran an "extremist," Reagan won 44 states.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fwdude; xzins
Big deal if the UMC “officially” opposes homosexuality. When they openly tolerate it and its supporters in practice, such a policy is meaningless.

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.

40 posted on 07/20/2015 4:21:18 AM PDT by markomalley (Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good -- Leo XIII)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-98 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson