It was with great sadness and frustration that we read of the action taken 
by a jury of the Rev. Frank Shaefer’s peers regarding his officiating at a
same gender wedding for his son.  The debate within The United Methodist Church
 parallels the debate present in this nation on the subject of same gender
 marriage.  Unfortunately, the region of the church in which Rev. Shaefer serves chose to focus on “legalism.”  It is important to note that this does not represent the
 attitude or belief of all United Methodists.   There are growing numbers of bishops, 
clergy, laity and congregations who are not supportive of the restrictions 
placed on LGBT persons in the church and are working to create faith
 communities where all are welcome and the rites of the church are available 
to all.  We United Methodist leaders in the California-Pacific region are among them.

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño,
California-Pacific Conference, The United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Stephen Hundley, Executive Director of Connectional Ministries
California-Pacific Conference, The United Methodist Church

Phil & Connee Freeman, Conference Co-Lay Leaders
California-Pacific Conference, The United Methodist Church

Rev. John Woodall
Senior Pastor, Westwood United Methodist Church

Rev. Patricia Farris, Senior Pastor
Santa Monica First United Methodist Church

Mr. Michael Lamb, Lay Leader
Santa Monica First United Methodist Church

Rev. Kathey Wilborn, West District Superintendent
California-Pacific Conference, The United Methodist Church

Andre Aldredge, West District Lay Leader
California-Pacific Conference, The United Methodist Church

Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth, North District Superintendent
California-Pacific Conference, The United Methodist Church

Rev. Amy Aitken, Senior Pastor
California Heights United Methodist Church, Long Beach

Rev. Greg Batson, President/CEO
California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation

Rev. Sandie Richards, Senior Pastor
Los Angeles First United Methodist Church