[Oe List ...] UMC Judicial Council Members

[Beret Griffith]

I received the note below from the pastor of our church when I asked who 
was on the judicial council. When I first heard the ruling a couple of 
weeks ago I found myself wondering if the council had been stacked with 
folks leaning to the right. Most people on the judicial council have been 
approved by the conservative Confessing Movement within the UMC. The 
Institute on Religion and Democracy most likely had a hand in the selection 
also. The websites of both give a feel for the strength of the conservative 
movement within the UMC, and in the case of the Institute on Religion and 
Democracy, within other major denominations also.

Beret Griffith

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Response to my inquiry:

Regarding your inquiry about the judicial council's recent decision (which 
the council of bishops refused to endorse in their pastoral letter) that 
opens the door to pastors to decide to exclude gay and lesbian persons from 
UMC church membership because of the "sin" of their homosexuality:

There are nine members on the Judicial Council.  The vote on this action 
was 5-3; ( one person did not hear the arguments; he does not understand 
English). I have contact information for these people if you want 
addresses, e-mails, etc.  The Confessing Movement and the Institute on 
Religion and Democracy have had considerable influence on setting this 
table.  I guess this is creating a furor within the denomination.

James Holsinger presides; a physician, he was an HW Bush appointee to the 
V.A. and currently KY something for Health and Human Services.  Confessing 
Movement approved.  Approved the Council decision.

Mary A. Daffin, VP,  from TX is a lay member and attorney, and she and her 
husband are very involved with the conservative Confessing Movement in our 
denomination.  Her husband is on their board.
Approved the Council decision.

Keith Boyette, Secretary, VA clergy and attorney.  Confessing Movement 
approved.  Probably approved Council decision.

Rudolfo Beltran, Philippines. Don't know him or how he voted.

Dennis L. Blackwell, NJ, Asbury Seminary (conservative evangelical-trained) 
Black pastor.  Voted against inclusion of gays.  Approved Council decision.

Beth Capin, Kingston NY, lay member and dissenter on the vote.

Jon R. Gray, 16th Judicial Circuit Court judge, an Ashcroft appointee in 
Missouri.  Approved Council decision.

Susan T. Henry-Crowe, Atlanta GA pastor and dissenter on the vote.

Kyungu (Paul) Shamwange, Gambia, did not hear the oral arguments.  Speaks 
only French and Swahili, no English.