Two decades ago, after coming out to her United Methodist congregation, Beth Stroud was brought up on charges of defying the Book of Discipline by being a “self-avowed practicing homosexual.” This was in spite of the fact that her congregation fully supported her continuing in ministry, even going as far as raising money for her legal defense. 

Still, in 2004, the Judicial Council, which is like the Supreme Court of the United Methodist Church (UMC), defrocked her.

A recent