Anyway, this must be the UMC's time to shine (or not). WKRC from Cincinnati posted an article about a openly gay UMC pastor in Clifton, OH, who reports that his seminary diploma and ordination certificate have been stolen from his church office:
Near the end of April, Meredith says someone broke into his office and stole two framed documents. The documents had not been hung but rather were sitting against the wall, they’re Meredith’s seminary diploma from Saint Paul School of Theology and his ordination certificate. His laptop, historic church jewelry and other valuables were not taken. “This is clearly a planned, purposeful way to de-authorize my ministry as a pastor in this place,” said Meredith. “It’s a very directed, very intentional and feels like somebody is trying to do what the processes of the church have not yet been able to do."Meredith married his partner Jim back in 2016 after being together as a couple for 30 years. Shortly after his wedding, parishioners began acknowledging his marriage by filing complaints against Meredith to the UMC higher-ups. He was taken to church court and eventually received a favorable decision last year. However, a district church appeals court decided to reconsider that decision in March 2018.
And now somebody has broken into his office and stolen his diploma and ordination certificate.
Frankly, incidents like this (the protracted church trial for getting married) is why I remain in the UCC and why I haven't attempted to return to the denomination of my childhood. The UMC holds a warm spot in my heart, but I really don't have the energy to exist within a denomination that continues to struggle with whether or not to affirm or respect LGBTQ members, families, or leaders.