|| News ||
Page 1 of 1

Minister Faces Trial for Gay Marriage


REV JANE SPAHR X390

Jane Spahr, a lesbian Presbyterian minister in northern California, faces a church court trial on Tuesday in Napa for marrying gay couples in 2008.

The Presbytery of the Redwoods, which represents churches from north of San Francisco to the Oregon border, is accusing Spahr of "publicly, intentionally and repeatedly" violating Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) doctrine — the charges were filed after a congregant filed a formal complaint against the 67-year-old minister after she wed 16 couples during the short time California sanctioned same-sex marriage. The Presbyterian Church defines marriage as between a man and a woman, but allows ministers to bless same-sex unions and perform partnership ceremonies that don't mimic traditional wedding ceremonies.

Spahr faces charges ranging from a rebuke to a suspension. She previously faced a church trial for marrying gay couples in 2006, but the charges were eventually thrown out because she didn't perform government-sanctioned marriages.

Read the full story here.

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook. Page 1 of 1
Reader Comments
  • Name: Carol
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 4:03:43 PM
    Hometown: MO

    Comment:

    Fundamentlism has tainted many of our denominations, but people are recognizing it now and are speaking about their agressive ways. This minister has let her interpretation of the Trinity lead her through her heart, not words in a man-made doctrine. Much love to her.

  • Name: rick
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 2:41:30 PM
    Hometown: leavenworth, ks

    Comment:

    I just love this comment(especially the last the lst part after the comma) The Presbyterian Church defines marriage as between a man and a woman, but allows ministers to bless same-sex unions and perform partnership ceremonies that don't mimic traditional wedding ceremonies. Religions continues to continues to give gay and lebian couples who which to have a traditional marriage ceremony, but wont allow us to "mimic" there ceremony? Marriage is chancing, the sooner they realize this, the better off for everyone.

  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 11:55:53 AM
    Hometown: Houston

    Comment:

    I was raised a Presbyterian, but some 40 years ago I became a Unitarian/Universalist. My impression of the Presbyterian Church is that it is moderate for the most part. So it is undergoing the struggle that many other denominations are going through concerning sexual minorities. I know the church through 3 ministers. The first one was full of doom and gloom and gave me, at age 4 or 5, an adversion to religion. The second one presented Christianity in a good intellectual way, but it did not take with me. The third was a nice guy, but emotional, and when he paid tribute to Calvinism I could not believe he really understood what he was saying.

  • Name: Frank
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 10:33:35 AM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    Why seek life and loving relationships among oppressive denominations that are bent toward ignorance? They are free to swallow as much bigoted hatred as their fat bellies can hold. I am free to never darken their door or contribute to their coffers. I do wish the Rev. Spahr the best. The fundies are not expected to change until more of the frozen chosen dinosaurs die off and a more enlightened generation responds to the call to love one another.

  • Name: d
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 5:00:48 AM
    Hometown: raleigh

    Comment:

    What a brave and beautiful human being!

  • Name: Liam
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 3:07:03 AM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    Just goes to show how petty and vengeful bigots can be.

  • Name: Justin
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 2:02:57 AM
    Hometown: America

    Comment:

    Oops! I meant to say she'll 'think' twice before she facilitate another ss wedding.

  • Name: Rob
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 1:42:12 AM
    Hometown: NH

    Comment:

    I applaud Jane for having the courage to live her convictions not once but twice. She is a pioneer and a true Christian. We need more people like her in this world because they make it a better place.

  • Name: Greg from Denver
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 12:25:46 AM
    Hometown: Denver, CO

    Comment:

    No, Justin. I believe when she looks into her heart, she won't be thinking that anything she did were against the will of God, just against the silly rules of the church. Since she performed the weddings during the time California law recognized same sex marriages it wasn't even against the states laws. I believe history will look upon her as the true pioneer she is.

  • Name: Justin
    Date posted: 8/23/2010 11:07:06 PM
    Hometown: America

    Comment:

    I think she'll twice before she facilitate another ss wedding.



Don't Miss
  • Best of Broadway Smash: Why You Will Love It

    Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the producers of NBC’s new critically acclaimed musical series, explain why the backstage drama of creating a musical about Marilyn Monroe has mass appeal and why big stars like Anjelica Huston, Uma Thurman, Bernadette Peters, and Nick Jonas were eager to appear in it.

  • Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market

    Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

  • Travel Slideshow Flag Gayest Cities in America, 2012

    It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

 
 
Advocate Subscribe Promo Banner 300x50
 
Follow Us Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterSubscribe to our RSS feedsDownload our app
Facebook Activity
 
1056 COVER X135 | ADVOCATE.COM
Today's Headlines