Minister Suspended Over Union Ceremony

A United Methodist Church court has ordered that a lesbian pastor in Wisconsin be suspended for 20 days, beginning July 1, for performing a same-sex union ceremony two years ago in defiance of church law.

Church jurors ordered the suspension Thursday, after having found the Reverend Amy DeLong guilty of the charge Wednesday by a vote of 13-0, the Associated Press reports. The panel acquitted her of a second charge, of violating the denomination's requirement of celibacy for gay and lesbian clergy, because of a lack of evidence that her relationship with her partner involves sexual contact. During the trial, DeLong refused to answer questions about that matter. As reported earlier, DeLong pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The United Methodist Church has been divided over gay issues, and people on both sides claimed partial victory after the ruling. The court could have imposed a harsher penalty, such as stripping DeLong of her ministry.

"I think the jury pool showed creativity," said the Reverend Scott Carlson, who supported DeLong. "It shows they took their role seriously, that they considered how healing might come."

The Reverend Tom Lambrecht, who represented the church in the trial, said officials were "pleased that the penalty recognizes that a violation took place and that there is a consequence for that violation."

The jurors also ordered DeLong to compose and present a document outlining issues that interfere with the covenant between the church and its clergy. If she does not do so, she will be suspended for a year beginning in June 2012.