| On Friday, June 15, 2001, our congregation received news that our pastor, Mark Williams had announced that he is gay man at the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. Each of our church members began considering what this event would be to them individually and to our congregation.
The events which have unfolded after our Pastor's announcement have led all of us down a path none of us as United Methodists had tried before. As the events that are now past, outlined below, will show we are united in our desire to maintain Mark Williams as our pastor. As each day passes and the path unfolds, this outline will grow. The path we have yet to walk in contained in the section Time line. |
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On Friday, June 15, 2001, Pastor Mark Williams presented the report of the Conference Legislative Committee on Church and Society - Domestic to the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. When Bishop Elias Galvan announced that he was about to call for a recess for lunch, Pastor Williams asked him to permit me a point of personal privilege. He granted the request, and Pastor Williams made a statement announcing he was a gay man. |
| . | Seattle Post Intelligencer, Saturday, June 16 "Pastor's revelation that he's gay adds to Methodists' struggle" |
| . | On Sunday, during the closing worship service of the conference, Bishop Galvan announced that he would not appoint Pastor Mark Williams. Instead, the bishop announced that he would seek to find us suitable non-appointed employment within the Church while waiting for a declaratory ruling of the Judicial Council. |
| . | Seattle Times, Monday, June 18 "Gay minister is barred as pastor but congregation rallies round him |
| . | Wednesday, June 20, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee of Woodland Park UMC called a congregational meeting. About one hundred people attended, including District Superintendents Bob Hoshibata and Elaine Stanovsky. Pastor Mark Williams made an opening statement by reading the Pastor's Column of the July monthly newsletter. Then Bob Hoshibata welcomed comments and questions from the congregation. By the end of the evening, no one stood outside of a concensus decision to request the Bob Hoshibata and Elaine Stanovsky represent to the bishop and cabinet that they wished Mark Williams to be assigned to continue in ministry at Woodland Park UMC. |
| . | Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 21 "Church group will try to keep gay pastor" |
| . | After the meeting, Maggie Brown, chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee announced the organization of the a Justice Ministry Team to support Pastor Mark Williams and the congregation during the months leading up to the declaratory ruling of the Judicial Council. |
| . | Sunday, June 24, Pastor Mark Williams preached his last Sunday as an appointed United Methodist pastor (for the forseeable future). Attendance was up, and there were dozens of supportive visitors present, including District Superintendent Bob Hoshibata. |
| . | King 5, Local News "Congregation supports gay pastor" |
| . | On Thursday, June 28, the Bishop Galvan held a press conference in the sanctuary of Woodland Park UMC. There, the bishop announced that he would officially appoint D.S. Bob Hoshibata to serve as the Interim Pastor of Woodland Park UMC for the coming appointment year. He also announced that he and the cabinet approved of Bob Hoshibata's plan to assign Mark Williams to serve as "Minister of Congregational Life" at Woodland Park UMC this year, with the understanding that there would be need to reconsider the arrangement once the Judicial Council issued their ruling October 22-26, 2001. |
| . | Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 29 "Gay minister allowed to stay with congregation" |
| . | On July 1, Mark Williams began serving as a staff person of Woodland Park UMC. Although still a pastor in good standing, Mark Williams status will be as a "lay employee" of the congregation. |
| . | Mark Williams preached on Sunday July 1, and Bob Hoshibata and he together officiated over the serving of communion. Our church still has to work out precisely what the job descriptions will be with Bob Hoshibata as Interim Pastor and Mark Williams as Minister of Congregational Life. |
| . | Our congregation is talking more openly about issues pertaining to sexual orientation and faith than ever before, both in the public arena and in meetings and fellowship gatherings. All members are aware that congregations locally and throughout the country are discussing what to many may be an important turning point in the United Methodist Church we all belong to. |
| . | Seattle Times, July 1 "Religions divided over gays in clergy" |
| . | Tuesday, July 10 The newly formed Justice Ministry Team had it's first meeting. Nineteen church members volunteered to help refine the goals of the committee and to give their service on sub committees defined that evening. |
| . | Monday, July 16 The Justice Ministry Team had it's second meeting. Each sub committee reported on the work accomplished to date. The team reconfirmed it's passion for seeking justice for GLBT participation in the United Methodist Church and pledged to work toward this goal until inclusiveness is achieved. |
| . | Monday, July 23 The third meeting of the Justice Ministry Team again focused on the progress made by the various sub committees. Considerable time was spent reviewing the steps needed to prepare for the Judicial Council hearing of Minister Mark Williams case. The entire team worked to frame a public announcement for our church. The announcement would be first shared with those attending the RMN Convocation in Tacoma. |
| . | Monday, July 30 Significant progress was reported by the various sub committees of the Justice Ministry Team at the fourth meeting. Sub committee reports included Judicial Council, Congregational Support, Communications, Finance, Education, and Web Design. A report was given by those members who had attended the Reconciling Ministry Network's Convocation in Tacoma over the weekend. The next meeting will focus on the work of the Judicial Council sub committee in preparation for some upcoming deadlines. |
| . | Thursday, August 20 The meeting of the Justice Ministry Team was focused on the Brief that the Judicial Council Sub-Committee were preparing. The goal is to have the brief signed and in the mail by September 1. |
| . | Friday, August 31 Brief to Judicial Council signed. |
| . | Saturday, September 1 Brief to Judicial Council mailed. |
| . | Sunday, September 9 Administrative Council approves filming by Channel 9 (PBS) of September 23 church services. |
| . | Thursday, September 13 The Justice Ministry Team discussed concepts for a Prayerful Celebration to be held at Woodland Park UMC October 24. The Communications sub committee was assigned the task of planning and coordinating the event. The "expanded choir" was invited to participate in the event and will be contacted by Jean Hutchinson, Worship Committee Chairperson. The Justice Ministry Team extended an invitation to all who wish to share this evening of prayerful celebration.
This discussion was followed by brief reports from each of the sub committees. Click on the links below for more information. Education sub committee The meeting was attended by Mr. Chuck Richards and the Reverend Jan Bolerjack Wallingford United Methodist. As a show of support from their congregation, Mr. Richards presented the Justice Ministry Team with check from offerings collected at their church. The representatives Justice Ministry Team expressed their deep thanks for the generous financial support and their continuing spiritual support. |
| . | Sunday, September 23 - Church services filmed by Channel 9 (PBS) as part of documentary on Rev. Mark Williams. |
| . | Wednesday, October 24 - The Butterfly Effect: Prayerful Celebration held at WPUMC |
| . | Thursday, October 25 - UMC Judicial Council hears oral arguments. UM News Service report |
| . | Monday, October 29 - UMC Judicial Council delivers decision. UM News Service report |
| . | Monday, October 29 - Woodland Park UMC Staff Parish Relations Committee issues press bulletin. Copy of bulletin |
| . | Seattle Times - October 30 - Church's policy on gays affirmed |
| . | Seattle PI - October 30 - Gay pastor fears a 'bittersweet victory' |
| . | Tacoma News Tribune - October 30 - Gay ministers denied posts |
| . | King 5 TV - October 30 - United Methodist court rules against gay Seattle pastors |
| . | Komo 4 TV - October 30 - United Methodist Court Affirms Stance Against Gay Pastors |
| . | Kiro News 7 - October 30 - Methodist Church Rules Against Gay Pastors from Seattle |
| . | Wednesday, October 30 - Interview of Mark & Maggie by KCPQ |
