{"id":6320,"date":"2014-02-10T19:29:36","date_gmt":"2014-02-11T03:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=6320"},"modified":"2014-02-10T19:33:00","modified_gmt":"2014-02-11T03:33:00","slug":"scars-and-hope-emerging-from-schaefer-trial-struggle-to-resolve-united-methodist-same-sex-wedding-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/scars-and-hope-emerging-from-schaefer-trial-struggle-to-resolve-united-methodist-same-sex-wedding-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Scars and hope emerging from Schaefer trial, struggle to resolve United Methodist same-sex wedding laws"},"content":{"rendered":"

Frank Schaefer packs books as he leaves Zion Iona United Methodist Church after members of the congregation feted him at a farewell celebration on Jan. 5. After a church trial Nov. 18-19, Schaefer lost his ministerial credentials. Photo by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
EDITOR\u2019S NOTE:\u00a0The Rev. Frank Schaefer, then pastor of Zion Iona United Methodist Church was found guilty of violating the United Methodist Book of Discipline in a church trial and lost his ministerial credentials. Those involved \u2014 from the Schaefer family to church members supporting and opposing his actions to Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy Johnson \u2014 talk with Kathy Gilbert of United Methodist News Service about the pain and about hope for what may happen next.<\/i><\/address>\n

By Kathy L. Gilbert*<\/h3>\n

Before the waiting photographers, before the interviews with Barbara Walters and Anderson Cooper, before he lost his ministry credentials in a church trial,\u00a0Frank Schaefer<\/a>\u00a0was a country preacher with a German accent leading a small United Methodist church in rural eastern Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t just the German accent that set him apart. His conservative social views, mirroring those in his community, started evolving when three of his four children came out as homosexuals.<\/p>\n

It was love for his oldest son, Tim, that led Schaefer to violate The United Methodist Church\u2019s law book forbidding clergy from officiating at same-gender unions.<\/p>\n

First calling<\/b><\/h3>\n

Frank and his wife, Brigitte, were born in Germany. In the early 1980s, Schaefer was living in Germany working as a professional English translator. Brigitte was a highly skilled surgeon assistant. They had three young children, Tim, Debbie and Kevin. Their last child, Jordon Pascal, was not born until they moved to the United States.<\/p>\n

Schaefer wanted to go to the United States to improve his English skills \u2014 to learn colloquial English, slang. He admits he also was looking for an adventure.<\/p>\n

\"Brigitte<\/a>
Brigitte and Frank Schaefer face the cameras after a church trial found him guilty of violating his ordination vows by officiating at his son Tim\u2019s 2007 marriage. Photo by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Church was always important to the couple. They met in a youth group at a church in Germany. Finding a church home was one of the first things they did when they moved to Norfolk, Va. They were happy to find what they saw as a \u201csmall, lively\u201d church where they got involved in working with young people.<\/p>\n

Schaefer started hearing God\u2019s call to ministry. His pastor was so sure Schaefer was destined to be a pastor that he pressed a catalog and application form from Valley Forge Christian College into his hands.<\/p>\n

Schaefer prayed about what to do and ended up attending that school. He was a student pastor at Morrisville United Methodist Church while in seminary at Princeton Theological Seminary. While trying to decide on a denomination, he called United Methodist Bishop Susan Morrison. At the end of that conversation, she welcomed him to The United Methodist Church.<\/p>\n

He served five years at Avon Zion United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Pa., and was resident chaplain at Hersey Medical Center while pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education. He was appointed to Zion Iona United Methodist Church in 2002. The four children were \u201cpreacher\u2019s kids\u201d and Brigitte a \u201cpreacher\u2019s wife.\u201d The family was in love with The United Methodist Church and Zion was a growing, thriving congregation \u2014 membership increased from 332 in 2002 to 470 in 2012.<\/p>\n

White, hot spotlight<\/b><\/h3>\n

The world descended on this quiet country church and Schaefer after\u00a0news of the charges and trial<\/a>. One headline screamed,\u201cChurch puts pastor put on trial for loving his son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overnight, Schaefer was on television, radio and in news publications from The New York Times to Al Jazeera America as well as local and statewide news outlets in Pennsylvania. The timing was perfect for the media because several states were debating legalizing same-gender unions and LGBQT rights.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0\u201cI cannot be silent any longer. I must speak out for the LGBQT community.\u201d \u2014 The Rev. Frank Schaefer, testifying at his church trial.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Schaefer was found guilty Nov. 19 in a church trial and\u00a0defrocked Dec. 19<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the second day of his trial<\/a>, Schaefer said he suddenly felt the Holy Spirit calling him to a new ministry. While testifying, Schaefer put on a rainbow stole and said, \u201cI cannot be silent any longer. I must speak out for the LGBQT community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later in an interview in his home, Schaefer said, \u201cGod has taken all my excuses, and just sort of pulled me by the collar, and said \u2018This is what you need to do.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

A church in recovery<\/b><\/h3>\n

Visitors to\u00a0Zion Iona (Penn.) United Methodist Church<\/a>\u00a0enter through doors with warning signs: no photos, no videos, no media allowed anywhere on church grounds.<\/p>\n

It is the first clue that this church has been through a trauma.<\/p>\n

In many ways, Zion Iona is starting over even though the church has been on this spot since it was started by the Dundore family in 1894.<\/p>\n

The congregation gathered on Jan. 5 to say goodbye to its former pastor.<\/p>\n

\"Gina<\/a>
Gina Young, a member of Zion Iona and director of the Rainbow Ringers, says goodbye to Brigitte Schaefer during a farewell gathering at the church Jan. 5. Photo by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Freezing rain fell outside the large windows behind the altar as the Rev. Charles Rothermel stood alongside Clydette Overturf, pastoral assistant, to offer words of comfort and healing to the congregation. Rothermel has been appointed by Bishop Peggy Johnson, episcopal leader of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference, to fill the lead pastor role for the next six months. He is an ordained elder, chaplain and marriage and family counselor.<\/p>\n

Overturf, who was hired during Schaefer\u2019s appointment, is committed to helping the church heal and start growing again.<\/p>\n

Frank and Brigitte Schaefer waited until after the 11 a.m. contemporary service before coming through the side doors of the church. The moment Frank arrived he was surrounded and greeted with words of welcome.<\/p>\n

Drew Gingrich, 21, was especially happy to be there.<\/p>\n

Gingrich, a senior at Penn State Harrisburg, soon will graduate as a teacher. He grew up in Zion Iona. He said he noticed long ago that any conservative viewpoints about the Scriptures were welcome while \u201cliberal opinions were not as warmly received.\u201d That attitude kept him from volunteering to lead children\u2019s Sunday school classes, he said, even though he felt his training in education would help his church.<\/p>\n

\"Drew<\/a>
Drew Gingrich grew up in Zion Iona United Methodist Church and has struggled with what has happen to his friend and mentor, Frank Schaefer. Photo by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gingrich has struggled with what has happened to someone he considers a friend and a mentor. He testified for Schaefer during the trial and spoke passionately about a man who has had so much influence on his life. Like many others at the farewell gathering, he expressed disappointment in the denomination but an open mind about staying.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean so much to me, we will be friends forever in Christ,\u201d Schaefer said, tears flowing, as he blessed the food. Many in the room were also weeping.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus Christ\u2019s example is love and forgiveness; Pastor Frank personifies that,\u201d said Ellyn Ross, a member of the church since 2004. \u201cHe is going to change lives, and I am happy for him but sad for us because we will miss him so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ross said that after Schaefer came to the church 11 years ago, Zion turned into a thriving, growing congregation. He started a contemporary worship service that pulled in people from the community that hadn\u2019t come to church before, she said.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cJesus Christ\u2019s example is love and forgiveness; Pastor Frank personifies that.\u201d \u2014 Ellyn Ross, as the congregation gathered to say farewell to Schaefer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Maryellen Martin, a member of the founding Dundore family, said \u201cMy mother carried me into this church, and I won\u2019t leave until somebody carries me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching Schaefer talking to church members, she said, \u201cI love him. Who are we to judge? Only our Lord and Savior can do that. I don\u2019t understand how some people can be so vindictive. Why can\u2019t they just leave him alone? I\u2019ve shed many tears; my whole family has.\u201d<\/p>\n

Worship war<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u201cWe did some wonderful things in this church, in this community,\u201d Schaefer said. The 11 a.m. contemporary service, started in 2005, was growing larger than the 8:30 a.m. traditional service.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were very good at it, very successful. We became a really friendly and open church. We were talking about adding a third service in 2013 until the complaint was filed; then everything sort of unraveled.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

Even before the charges, there was discontent. Deb Boger, who had been choir director for more than 40 years, resigned in March 2013, and the praise band left to organize a new congregation in July 2013.<\/p>\n

Damaskus Road Community Church<\/a>\u00a0is nondenominational, and former Zion Iona member Miles Dissinger is pastor. He declined to talk about leaving Zion but said he worked with Schaefer for three and half years and supported him. Schaefer said the group left with his blessing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a worship war!\u201d Schaefer said. \u201cI was constantly asked to stop the (contemporary) service and was often accused of spending more time in preparation for the contemporary service over the traditional service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon Boger, son of Deb Boger, filed charges against Schaefer in May 2013 over Schaefer performing the ceremony for Tim Schaefer.<\/p>\n

Schaefer said another group of 30-35 people who were supporters of Boger also left Zion Iona. \u201cThere were others that left who were disillusioned with all the problems and the drama as well,\u201d Schaefer said.<\/p>\n

Broken covenant<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Church<\/a>
Church trial of the Rev. Frank Schaefer at Camp Innabah in Spring City, Pa. A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jon Boger, a lieutenant commander in the Navy, is tall, confident and a man who believes in keeping one\u2019s word. He said that in April 2013 he sent Bishop Johnson a copy of Tim\u2019s marriage certificate.<\/p>\n

On the witness stand during the trial, he was in tears when he testified that Schaefer betrayed his congregation and the denomination by officiating at Tim\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis was never a personal vendetta but a fundamental theological disagreement. \u201d \u2014 Jon Boger, who filed the complaint against Schaefer.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Reflecting on the trial in an interview with United Methodist News Service, Boger said, \u201cHe knowingly and purposefully broke the Church\u2019s policies. I simply filed the complaint. He was convicted and penalized by a jury of his peers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boger said members of his family have been baptized at Zion Iona; their weddings and their funerals have been there.<\/p>\n

The timing of his mother\u2019s dismissal and the filing of charges has been a source for speculation as the true motive for Boger\u2019s actions. The charges were filed just 30 days before the statute of limitations would have run out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was never a personal vendetta but a fundamental theological disagreement,\u201d Boger said. \u201cI remain firmly convicted in my beliefs that Frank Schaefer\u2019s actions were wrong, both according to the Discipline and biblical teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boger said he understands Schaefer loves his children but leaders must be held accountable when they break their covenants.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe chose to violate his oath for the love of his son. It was a conscious choice with consequences.<\/p>\n

\u201cProgressive liberals tend to crucify anyone who opposes them. \u2026 All the good aspects of those involved get lost in the meta-morality of the issue, where the politically correct trend is for gay marriage, and anyone who does anything to oppose it becomes the punchline of ridicule. If conservative members of the Methodist Church would speak out and take the ridicule, Frank\u2019s movement would quickly become the minority,\u201d Boger said.<\/p>\n

There are United Methodists who agree with Boger.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout this process, Rev. Schaefer was treated with great respect and given enormous latitude to express his perspective, as well as many opportunities to resolve this matter short of a public trial,\u201d wrote the Rev. Joseph F. DiPaolo in a\u00a0commentary<\/a>. \u00a0DiPaolo is pastor of Wayne Pennsylvania United Methodist Church and vice chair of the Eastern Pennsylvania conference\u2019s\u00a0Evangelical Connection<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no spirit of inquisition or oppression; only sadness and seriousness as our church attempted to do something that has become increasingly rare anywhere in our society \u2014 and that is, to hold someone accountable to vows and promises once made.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that we have an opportunity to demonstrate a spirit different than that which characterizes so much public debate in our society, by acting graciously toward one another as we address this, or any other divisive issue, as brothers and sisters in Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Lucky\u2019 bishop<\/b><\/h3>\n

Bishop Peggy Johnson is a kind, gentle woman who often dresses in pink and uses sign language as she speaks because of her years of ministering with and for deaf people.<\/p>\n

\"Bishop<\/a>
Bishop Peggy Johnson holds petitions presented by Faithful America. (From left) Rev. James Todd, Johnson and Karen Wiseman. Photo by John Coleman\/Eastern Pa. Conference.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She refused to make any comments before the trial because she was advised anything she said might sway the potential jury. Though it hurt her and made the church seem indifferent to Schaefer\u2019s plight, she kept her promise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI regret how badly we appear. \u2026 I\u2019m sorry we have looked so narrow-minded and mean, unprogressive. A lot of people are judging us as that, not as people of the book upholding our Discipline being faithful to our covenant \u2014 that doesn\u2019t seem to compute as much with folk.\u201d<\/p>\n

She lamented that there is so much The United Methodist Church does \u2014 such as its campaign to end malaria, United Methodist Committee on Relief\u2019s fast assistance all over the world after natural disasters \u2014 that doesn\u2019t get as much attention as the human sexuality issue.<\/p>\n

Some thought Johnson seemed to contradict herself when soon after Schaefer\u2019s trial was announced she wrote a\u00a0letter to the editor of a newspaper<\/a>\u00a0expressing her support for \u201cmy lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters\u201d for an antidiscrimination law in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAs a person of faith, I believe we need to protect the rights of all people.\u201d \u2014 Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy Johnson.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe Pennsylvania legislation came up a few months ago, and I questioned if I should even get involved in it because the church trial was bubbling up. One senator said his religious rights were being offended because he wasn\u2019t allowed to show discrimination against people that his religion said he needed to discriminate against. So then I said, \u2018I have got to say something.\u2019\u201d And she wrote the letter.<\/p>\n

For many years she was pastor of an all-deaf congregation, Johnson said, and heard heartbreaking stories about people being denied their rights because they had a disability.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a person of faith, I believe we need to protect the rights of all people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Johnson said it is difficult but also exciting to be part of the church at this point.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is exciting; I really feel privileged to be the lucky person that gets to be the bishop of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference right now \u2014 to be part of midwifery of a new day. It is a slow go and will not be without its pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many hard-working leaders who care and want peace and don\u2019t want to see us at each others throats even if we disagree \u2014 there are a lot of good-hearted people who are willing to keep working because the centrality of Christ is so important.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the eye of the storm<\/b><\/h3>\n

During the\u00a0Nov. 18-19 trial<\/a>, Brigitte and Debbie Schaefer, 28, sat in the second row of folding metal chairs behind the defense table watching Frank face questions about his ministry and promises he had made.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Rev. Frank Schaefer (left) and his son Tim stand together during the Nov. 18 church trial. A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Tim Schaefer, 30, was called to the witness stand, Brigitte bowed her head and covered her face with her hands. Debbie leaned over and put her arm around her mother. It was a poignant moment in two long days of trial proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking in her home a few weeks after the trial, Brigitte said she was disappointed in The United Methodist Church. \u201cI don\u2019t think anyone should have had to go through this. I don\u2019t think it should be done to any pastor. It was not a crime. It was not anything horrible that he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim, who describes himself as a very private person, said the attention has been stressful.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt I owed it to my father to support him in any way I could through this process. That meant testifying publicly (at trial and in media interviews) to my coming to terms with my sexuality and the suicidal thoughts I struggled with along the way \u2014 things that even my closest friends had previously never heard me talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n

As younger siblings, Debbie, Kevin and Jordon weren\u2019t aware of Tim\u2019s struggles. But, they said, they have all benefited from seeing how their parents helped Tim through that time. Now, after the trial, they are receiving love and support from United Methodists around the world.<\/p>\n

That is a positive thing, said Debbie, who is a math teacher.<\/p>\n

\u201cIronically, I think that this situation has actually strengthened my faith.\u00a0 \u2026 When I go to church now, I no longer feel uncomfortable or out of place just because I\u2019m a lesbian. It\u2019s actually been a rather liberating experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin said he realized he was gay when he was 12.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy faith has definitely helped me through it, all of the tools I have for getting by in life are wrapped up in my faith.\u201d He is 23 and attends the University of California in Santa Barbara where he is in MA\/PhD track in linguistics.<\/p>\n

Jordon Pascal Schaefer, 19, is studying computer science at Penn State<\/p>\n

\u201cThe situation affects me because it affects my family. I encourage my family (or anyone else) to fight for what\u2019s right, however I\u2019m not comfortable being a huge political activist and being in the spotlight myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Tim and Frank have started a blog,\u00a0UMCVoices.com<\/a>, as a forum for those voices within the church that feel they are not being heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working with my father to encourage groups of pastors from all annual conferences to\u00a0encourage their respective bishops to issue statements acknowledging that the Book of Discipline contains discriminatory language towards LGBT persons and pledging to stop the trials,\u201d Tim said.<\/p>\n

Letters and more letters<\/b><\/h3>\n

Schaefer and his family have received more than 1,800 emails and 700 letters, several books, CDs, rainbow shawls\/stoles, pins, pictures, bears and postcards from strangers since his story became public. Eight churches did a card shower for the family, and two sent a check from a love offering they took at their churches.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Rev. Frank Schaefer (second from right) prays with supporters prior to a press conference at Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia where he announced he will not surrender his clergy credentials. Clockwise from front left are: Joe Kalil, Jordan Harris, Shaefer and the Rev. Robin Hynicka, pastor of the Arch Street church. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Stand with Pastor Frank: Support Equality Facebook page has more than 17,000 likes with about 700 private messages on that account and 350 more on Schaefer\u2019s private Facebook account.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only received about 10 or 12 outspokenly hateful messages \u2014 I had expected more. I remember one warning me of the punishment of hell, several called me a false teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most of the communications from people who disagree with him have been attempts to educate him with long letters full of Scripture, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have also received beautifully written letters of support, many sharing songs composed for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s next?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Schaefer is quick to smile, laughs often but also lets his tears flow. Through everything, he remains optimistic he will be able to remain a pastor in The United Methodist Church.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI love the church and I\u2019m in total agreement with most of the positions except for this one. I don\u2019t want to leave because this is my church where I have a lot of friends and people who are looking to me to be their voice.\u201d \u2014 Frank Schaefer.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Schaefer and his legal counsel, the Rev. Robert E. Coombe, filed an appeal after the\u00a0Eastern Pennsylvania conference\u2019s board of ordained ministry<\/a>\u00a0\u201cdeemed his ministerial credential surrendered.\u201d<\/p>\n

The appeal states that \u201cthe penalty assessed by the trial court was in violation of Church law, which prohibits trial courts from conditioning reinstatement of a suspended elder on his proof of good conduct and from imposing a penalty based on what a pastor may intend to do in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

The appeal cites Judicial Council decisions 240, 725, 915 and 950 as well as paragraphs 2701, 2715 and 2716 \u201cand other provisions\u201d in the United Methodist Book of Discipline.<\/p>\n

While waiting on his appeal, Schaefer has received numerous invitations to speak to congregations across the connection. He is booked for almost every weekend through June.<\/p>\n

Bishop Minerva Carca\u00f1o<\/a>, episcopal leader of the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference, has invited him to become a member of her conference. It is something they are considering.<\/p>\n

Schaefer, his wife, and Jordon and Kevin, joined\u00a0Foundry United Methodist Church<\/a>\u00a0in Washington the weekend after he lost his clergy credentials. He is receiving financial support from the churches he visits. Foundry collected $30,000 for the family.<\/p>\n

\"Frank<\/a>
Frank Schaefer talks about what his family has been through since he was charged with violating his ministerial credentials when he officiated at his son Tim\u2019s marriage in 2007. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI love the church, and I\u2019m in total agreement with most of the positions except for this one. I don\u2019t want to leave because this is my church where I have a lot of friends and people who are looking to me to be their voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould we ever see change if people like myself and other LGBQT supporters all left? This is our church, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson said The United Methodist Church has a \u201cprogressive flavor\u201d but is largely a traditional denomination. Conversations are how social issues change, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of like porcupines on a cold night; we prick each other sometimes. But still the grace is there, the warmth of God\u2019s spirit, so I am hopeful. I really am.\u201d<\/p>\n

*Gilbert is a multimedia reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>newsdesk@umcom.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Frank Schaefer packs books as he leaves Zion Iona United Methodist Church after members of the congregation feted him at a farewell celebration on Jan. 5. After a church trial Nov. 18-19, Schaefer lost his ministerial credentials. Photo by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS. EDITOR\u2019S NOTE:\u00a0The Rev. Frank Schaefer, then pastor of Zion Iona United Methodist […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":6329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[32,3],"tags":[127,304,14,31],"class_list":{"0":"post-6320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-umns","9":"tag-episcopal-leadership","10":"tag-schaefer","11":"tag-sexuality","12":"tag-umns"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/1-Schaefer-crop-580x386.jpg?fit=580%2C386&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2l75j-1DW","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6320"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6320\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6331,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6320\/revisions\/6331"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}