Hours later Hutchison says the Methodist leadership told him if he did not resign he would be fired.
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They say Hutchison saved their church, even quadrupling membership.
“He asked me if I did and I said yes”, Hutchison said.
The United Methodist discipline states, in part, that practicing homosexuals are not to be ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in the church.
“I would never deny Monty to anybody”, said Hutchison.
Most of the church’s parishioners are now defending Hutchison.
An undated courtesy photo of Pastor Benjamin Hutchison.
(An excerpt of the United Methodist Church’s discipline on clergy members.).
On Sunday, July 19, First United Methodist Church’s 10 a.m. worship will feature sacred organ music performed by Evan Snyder, official organist for the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference since 2013.
Rev. Hutchison says he is done preaching at the United Methodist Church in Cassopolis, but he plans on saying goodbye to his congregation in an informal sermon not on church grounds.
“This church was dying when he came here”, Hershberger said.
Hershberger said it was never a secret Hutchison is gay, and it wasn’t an issue with the congregation. The Foundation relies significantly on communities to join hands with them, come together for support, and provide adequate nutrition for all needy children.
“If we say, ‘No, you’re not welcomed here, ‘ then what example are we of God? It meant enough to him and that also got everybody to know him”.
The Kalamazoo Gazette and South Bend Tribune report the Rev. Benjamin Hutchison married Monty Hutchison Friday in Cassopolis outside southwestern Michigan’s historic Cass County Courthouse.
“I believe there is a swell of support that already exists within the denomination, and so it only continues to grow”, said Mikita.
“I’ve taken my last step into this church and down after 70 years, and 17 people in my family are quitting also”. Christ died for all people.
Surrounded by supporters pastor Benjamin David Hutchison, left, and…
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The district office did not return a request for a comment.
