Beautiful People of the Kentucky Annual Conference, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As many of you know, one of our pastors in the Pacific Northwest Conference, the Reverend Karen Dammann, was acquitted of charges against her on Saturday, March 20, 2004.
It is my understanding that the judicial process was followed.
The process began with charges being filed against Rev. Dammann according to para. 2702 of the Book of Discipline by Bishop Galvan:
The charges against Rev. Dammann were that she was in violation of the Book of Discipline practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teaching.
After review The Committee on Investigation of the Pacific Northwest Conference voted not to bring the case to trial:
With an appeal the Judicial Council ruled that the case must be tried:
A trial court of 13 clergy members of the Pacific Northwest Conference found her not guilty of the charges brought against her:
It is my understanding that the verdict was reached with clear knowledge that Rev. Dammann acknowledged that her lifestyle is in violation of the Book of Discipline para. 304.3
Every appeal in this case has been exhausted.
Para. 2715.10 of the Book of Discipline: “The church shall have not right of appeal from the findings of the trial court.
Where does this leave us?
First of all, there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue. While some may be celebrating, I am aware from the letters, e-mails and conversations that inform me that there is an overwhelming number of clergy and lay persons who are deeply troubled by the results of the action of this verdict by those who are members of the Pacific Northwest Conference.
Second, the most glaring and growing concern is the feeling that the law of the church has not been upheld. We must abide by the laws of the church or change them.
I SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE OF THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. I am hurt that the church is torn and divided. However, the church has in place a mechanism to address concerns of the body.
It is the General Conference’s responsibility to amend laws that hold us accountable and put in process laws that allow for appeals to take place.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
- Back to General Conference on April 27, 2004. This is the appropriate arena in which to clarify the laws of the church.
- I ask you to start praying for the delegates of General Conference to be Spirit-led, grounded in the Word of God and moved to act in ways that honor the Will of God.
- I ask you to pray for healing to come over the church, that the Kingdom of God will fill every heart and every nation.
- I encourage you to stand strong in the faith, do not be weakened by this controversy nor discouraged. What is worthy of faith is that God is still on the throne and God will be glorified. Do the work of the one who has called you and sent you to the mission field.
- As we are praying, busy your hands, your minds and your heart with the work that makes disciples of Jesus Christ.
Love and prayers,
James R. King, Jr
