Trial Summary – click here for a narrative of three days and what led up to them
Trial Court Decision – click Jury Decision to read what the Jury really said
Result of Rev. Amy’s Invitation – click here for the rest of the journey
Trial Pictures – click here to see pictures of the trial
Trial Journey
June 2011 and Beyond –
- General Conference 2012 will have one more opportunity to change the current homophobic and heterosexist legislation in the Book of Discipline.
June 2011 – The trial court dismissed the charge of being a “self-avowed practicing homosexual”. The trial court confirmed that Rev. Amy had officiated at a Holy Union and returned a restorative justice decision to have Rev. Amy propose procedures to the Wisconsin United Methodist clergy that would restore them a healthy relationship with one another.
April 2011 –April 11, 2011 Bishop Linda Lee announced the following trial details:
Date of Trial: June 21-23, 2011
Location: Peace United Methodist Church, Kaukauna, WI
Presiding Officer: Bishop Clay F. Lee
Church Counsel: Rev. Thomas Lambrecht
April 2011 – The Wisconsin Episcopal Office announced in the Appleton First UMC April newsletter, “Given what any host congregation would endure, we have reconsidered having the trial in a church building and will seek an alternate site.” No mention was made of what Rev. Amy has to endure with the inability of the church to bring forward its case.
March 2011 – Presiding officer recuses himself on March 7and on March 15 Bishop Lee announced a postponement in the trial date that was set for April 11, 2011.
February 2011 – A Jury Pool of at least 35 Wisconsin United Methodist Elders has been set by the DistrictSuperintendents.
February 2011 – The fourth known Church Counsel to initially say “Yes” to that position resigned February 15, 2011.
January 2011 – The following has been set by Bishop Linda Lee, the official charged with convening the trial:
Trial Date: April 11, 2011
Location: First United Methodist Church, Appleton, Wisconsin
Presiding Officer: Bishop Bruce Blake
Church Counsel: Rev. Donald Frank
January 2011 – Another Counsel for the Church agreed to serve on January 11, 2011
December 2010 – The Committee on Investigation held a Hearing on December 7, 2010. In attendance were Rev. Amy and her counsel, church counsel, and complainant. You can read Rev. Amy’s Statement to Committee on Investigation and the Statement of Committee on Investigation. Church Counsel resigned immediately after the Committee on Investigation Hearing.
November 2010 – The Committee on Investigation meets with the Church Counsel, the Complainant, and Rev. Amy and her Counsel, to determine procedures for a Hearing.
October 2010 – Amy responded in writing to the Chairperson of the Committee on Investigation and the Church Counsel regarding the charges being brought.
October 2010 – The Conference designated a clergy person, David Busker, to be Church Counsel who brought forward three official charges against Amy to go to the Conference Committee on Investigation who will decide if the facts are sufficient for a trial.
July, August, September – Waiting for a Church Counsel to agree to serve (2 initially agreed to serve and withdrew before acting).
June 2010 – After months of waiting for an initial, signed complaint, one came dated the day after Annual Conference.
March 2010 – Amy is invited to another meeting with the Bishop, Assistant to the Bishop, and the District Superintendent related to extension ministries to discuss the implications of her truth-telling.
February 2010 – Amy was invited to a supervisory meeting with the Assistant to the Bishop to discuss the details of her Extension Ministry report. At this meeting Amy also presented her Domestic Partnership documentation.
January 2010 – Amy submitted her annual Appointment to Extension Ministry Report, which included the Holy Union she had performed.
November 2009 – Amy and Val celebrated 15 years of love for one another by registering as Domestic Partners the first time it was available to them (Wisconsin does not permit Amy and Val to be married).
September 2009 – Amy officiated at a Holy Union for a same-gender loving couple.
What Can I Do to Help?
The trial of Rev. Amy is about the way the United Methodist Church talks about an expansive love of God while rejecting its own children. We encourage you to engage with the Reconciling Ministries Network and aid your local congregation in a thoughtful and strategic action with gay and lesbian Christians. Either moving toward becoming a Reconciling Congregation or deepening your engagement with this ministry is important support for Rev. Amy.