WASHINGTON -- A Methodist minister who was facing expulsion from the clergy following a sex-change operation has voluntarily surrendered her ministerial credentials. The United Methodist Church (UMC), however, will continue to study the issue of transsexual clergy, according to the United Methodist News Service (UMNS).
The UMC's rulebook, the 2000 Book of Discipline, does not address transsexual clergy. Conference officials have asked the UMC Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Board of Church and Society to study the issue. A report and possible legislation is expected to be presented during the 2004 General Conference, according to UMNS.
In May, the Rev. Rebecca Steen, formerly the Rev. Richard Zomansky, had asked the Baltimore-Washington United Methodist Conference to reassign her to a pulpit following her operation. Bishop Felton May originally said he would consider the request, but announced June 8 that a complaint against Steen would delay any appointment and could have led to her expulsion. (See story: Methodist Church considers expelling minister who had sex change).
Steen would have been the first transsexual to pastor a United Methodist congregation, according to UMNS. She submitted her written withdrawal from the denomination June 28 to Church officials who had gathered to determine her status.
