Follow-up Statement to First UMC, Charlotte Story

Multiple media outlets have reported that Rev. Dr. Val Rosenquist at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte performed a same sex wedding, which would be in violation of Paragraph 341.6 in The 2012 Book of Discipline, and that Bishop Melvin Talbert was in attendance at the service. A formal complaint was filed with Bishop Goodpaster over the weekend, after the press deadlines for Monday’s paper. In response to the filed complaint, Bishop Goodpaster has begun the process outlined in paragraph 363 of The 2012 Book of Discipline.  Because a confidential process is now underway, there will be no further official statements until the process is completed.