Chapter ends in the Church of the Brethren's painful debate over homosexuality.

One chapter in the denomination's painful debate over the homosexuality issue ended recently when Matt Smucker, who made history as the first openly gay man to be ordained in the Church of the Brethren, said he would pursue ordination in the United Church of Christ (UCC). Smucker said he was too "physically drained" by the fight to continue it.

Smucker was ordained by the Skyridge congregation in Kalamazoo, Mich., in June 2002 after an affirmative vote by the Michigan District board. A 2002 Annual Conference decision upheld in 2003, however, said the denomination would "not recognize" the licensing or ordination of any person "known to be engaging in homosexual practices."

Michigan District conference in August approved a petition affirming the Annual Conference decisions and called for the ordination and licensing of any known homosexuals in the district to be discontinued. Smucker's ordination in the Church of the Brethren was terminated following the decision.

"I don't feel the call to stand in the middle any more," said Smucker, who works at a UCC seminary in Chicago and received dual ordination in the UCC last year. "In this case, it's too personal. It's affected lots of parts of my life in ways I don't want to repeat."

The Skyridge congregation held a "service of lament and blessing" in November to say their farewells as Smucker moved his membership. "We're just deeply saddened and regret that Matt's gifts can't be released for ministry in the Church of the Brethren," Skyridge pastor Debbie Eisenbise said.

District leaders say the issue has left deep scars in Michigan, which will take a long time to heal. Current Annual Conference moderator Chris Bowman and moderator-elect Jim Hardenbrook were traveling in the district this month on behalf of the Annual Conference Council. An open sharing session also has been scheduled for the 2004 Annual Conference in Charleston, W.Va.

Source: Newsline 1/16/2004
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