From The Christian Post:
Jen Rude, 27, was ordained on Saturday at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Chicago despite her refusal to take a vow of celibacy. She was installed on Sunday.
Under church policy, homosexual – and not heterosexual – ministers are required to make a vow of celibacy before they can be ordained. Although not currently in a relationship, Rude called the policy discriminatory.
Rude is the first homosexual pastor to test a resolution that urges ELCA bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in "faithful committed same-gender relationships." The resolution was passed at a national assembly in August when members also rejected measures that would have allowed the ordination of non-celibate homosexual clergy.
More than 100 congregants witnessed Rude’s ordination and showed support for the lesbian pastor, whose father and grandfather are both Lutheran ministers.
"This is who we are and this is what we do," said Kathy Young, a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, as reported by The Chicago Tribune. The congregation welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, according to its website.
This is good news. It will be even better when it's NOT news any longer, just a normal part of church business.
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Too often lesbians kept from using their gifts because of discrimination or dispute. I was a praise and worship leader of a First Presbyterian Church for a yr and a half. After my partner and I were together for six months I was told I could no longer be in a leadership position though earlier was told that it was not considered a leadership position. Two months later I was told by a non denominational Church that I could not be a part of their praise band as a lesbian in the praise band would spread through the church like wildfire and cause it harm.
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