Methodist church to begin sermon series
The First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, will start a new sermon series called “The Making of a Superhero” from today to July 27.
The five messages will take a look at the characteristics of superheroes, the heroic figures in the scriptures and stories of ordinary heroes – often unseen and unnoticed – who move through this city each day.
Attendees will discover the ingredients for “the making of a superhero.”
For more information, call 247-4213 or visit www.fumcdurango.org.
Har Shalom to host Shabbot service
Congregation Har Shalom, 2537 County Road 203, will host a Shabbat morning service from 9:30 a.m. to noon today.
The Shabbat morning services with Torah reading and Torah study will be followed by Kiddush. There will be music and singing.
For more information, visit www.harshalomdurango.org.
Methodist panel overturns defrocking
BALTIMORE – A United Methodist Church appeals panel has overturned the church’s decision to defrock a pastor who presided over his son’s same-sex wedding ceremony and said he would perform other gay marriages if asked.
A lower church court suspended Frank Schaefer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, last year for officiating at his son’s 2007 wedding. The church then defrocked Schaefer because he wouldn’t promise never to preside over another gay ceremony. He appealed, arguing the decision was wrong because it was based on an assumption he would break church law in the future.
But at a news conference Tuesday, he said he “absolutely” will perform more same-sex weddings and is confident that church law will change.
John Lomperis, director of the conservative group United Methodist Action, says Schaefer should have joined another denomination whose views he shares rather than expect the United Methodist Church to change. Lomperis adds he hopes Schaefer’s restoration to ministry gets appealed to the church’s highest court.
Mormon woman excommunicated
SALT LAKE CITY – The Mormon church has excommunicated the prominent founder of a Mormon women’s group.
The group, Ordain Women, announced Monday afternoon that Kate Kelly’s former church leaders in Virginia notified her of the decision.
The former leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had weighed the high-profile decision overnight. She did not attend the disciplinary hearing but instead held a vigil in Salt Lake City with about 200 supporters.
As the leader of Ordain Women, Kelly is accused of apostasy, which is repeated and public advocacy of positions that oppose church teachings.
Mormon officials aren’t discussing her case but say disciplinary hearings are held when members’ actions contradict church doctrine and lead others astray.
Herald Staff & Associated Press
