Iowa City: Methodist Pastor Takes Indefinite Leave of Absence Amidst Third Complaint for Being a "Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexual"

I've written before about Rev. Anna Blaedel, the executive director of the University of Iowa's Wesley Student Center. They're a queer partnered woman who keeps getting dragged to church court by the United Methodist Church. A third complaint was issued against her in 2018. After 19 months of investigation and a vote by the UMC's Committee on Investigation to take their case to trial in church court, Blaedel hashed out a just resolution with a UMC bishop and they agreed to step down as executive director for the Wesley Center and to take an indefinite leave of absence.

Dear ones: my heart is broken open, moved by all I cannot save. 

The truth is: I had hoped more would be possible. This resolution is not just. None of this is ok. And, I believe, I have done what I can. 

My primary goals during the 19 months of this 3rd complaint have been: to survive; to create the conditions for a livable future; to find a way out of endless complaints and charges that is consistent with my core values and commitments, and sense of integrity. 

I have not wanted to lose, nor be forced to leave, the denomination that has baptized, confirmed, called, commissioned, ordained, and appointed me. I have not wanted to lose, nor be forced to leave, my place of spiritual belonging and religious community. I have not wanted to lose, nor be forced to leave, my clergy credentials. 

Today we are naming together the truth that it is not currently possible for me to continue my ministry in the context of the Iowa Annual Conference, nor the UMC. 

That is not the truth I want to come to, but it has been, is being, revealed as true. I have hoped for a different conclusion to this story, and resolution to this series of complaints. And the story is still being written. But. And. I am no longer willing to subject my body and soul and life to this particular violence. 

Sometimes we have to be willing to risk losing that which we fear we cannot live without, in order to be free. I, too, “believe in freedom more than I believe in the structures incompatible with freedom.” (Alexis Pauline Gumbs) 

Dear ones: It never had to be this way. But it is how it is. 

We are here today because people with institutional power have refused to take responsibility for unjust, oppressive, discriminatory policies and practices that are incompatible with Christian teaching, and incompatible with collective liberation and common flourishing. 

Those of us who have signed this resolution are seeking to reduce the harm. We have done hard and holy work together. We have shown up honestly, and relationally. Interpersonally, we’re good. Thank you for showing up, in the ways that you did. 

But, and: it never had to be this way."

You can read Blaedel's entire statement here.

You can read the Just Resolution Agreement here.

Earlier this year, I wondered how quickly it would be before anti-gay religious conservatives began targeting queer clergy for trial and defrocking within the United Methodist Church. Granted, Blaedel's most recent complaint was issued last year. Still, it's pretty clear that the anti-gay culture warriors want us out of the UMC (AKA my childhood church community).