On August 8 of last year, Bishop Ronald Warren of the Southeastern Synod filed formal charges with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) against Pastor Bradley Schmeling (of St. John's Lutheran Church on Ponce) based on his committed relationship with Rev. Darin Easler. ELCA policy currently excludes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in relationships from the ordained ministry.
Just this week, on July 2, the ELCA Committee on Appeals denied Pastor Schmeling's appeal and removed him from their clergy roster (for fear that he was gettin' some).
The less-judgemental and extremely unified congregation of St. John's, however, continues to stand by their man and gets a big thumbs up for demonstrating that it's O.K. to be gay and a man of God at the same time.
This not-so-long-distance dedication goes out to Pastor Schmeling and his congregation:
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
(404) 378-4243
Saturday, July 7, 2007
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1 comments:
We love the dedication! Thank you for your support. It's good to serve one of the church's on Ponce de Leon. What a great street.
Pastor Bradley Schmeling
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