Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 2004)
STAH IATION rALlo HE BATTALION ;r$ esbian minister’s congregation celebrates her court victory icognis; ar aw ne in 4 ir at honoi xlebriie ours^ and vs eswonii sir ;s,tin] mH :eing iis.' panel awr)' of ini brain > or era an pi ianan he said erenui iv is ilso (lowers' Monday, March 22, 2004 By Shannon Dininny THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ELLENSBURG, Wash.— ongregants in the Methodist lurch where the Rev. Karen ammann used to preach cele- rated her acquittal Sunday, a ay after she was cleared of iolating church doctrine by ing in a lesbian relationship. , -‘Tin very pleased,” said odie Haight, a member of the angregation who sat through ^ ammann’s trial about 95 liles away in the Seattle sub- rb of Bothell. “I don’t think icjury had an easy task, but I link they gave it long, thought- il, prayerful consideration.” Dammann, 47, was acquit- S 20t 0 | d Saturday by a jury of 13 || istors of violating a church Hg.jjijj anon ordaining “self-avowed, of sev{J racticing homosexuals.” If h pan® iik juro^ had voted to con- runtilili let,Dammann could have lost S patiesfr ministry. The United Methodist theflars Iwrch has repeatedly voted andtta tainst loosening policies on ledamas omosexuality, but the isponse to the verdict in this .central Washington town ras warm. Haight said she arrived at atproiec! lurch early expecting protest- there were none. “The people of the congre- ition have been incredible to he disea* ^"Dammann said Saturday. But there was concern about ; fallout for the United lethodist Church, the nation’s ireroUri urd-largest denomination with .5million U.S. members. “I believe the vast majority United Methodists are in ef and shock today. I’m ersonally heartbroken,” said tana Miller. cutive litector of the Confessing kement, a conservative wment within the United 'leipdist Church, think the issue is, a part Jthe jurisdiction has broken Hfrenant with the rest of the cent of are caA to si :s toe! church and has decided to go the way of the world, as opposed to being faithful to and abiding by church law.” The conservative renewal movement, which claims more than 600,000 members, was formed 10 years ago. Miller said she could not predict how the tensions within the denomi nation will play out. “We’re just praying about what is the proper response to what has occurred,” she said. u, I think the issue is, a part of the juris diction has broken covenant with the rest of the church and has decided to go the way of the world, as opposed to being faithful to and abiding by church law. — Patricia Miller Director of Confessing Movement Church law prohibits the ordination of open homosexu als and the church's Book of Discipline declares homosexu ality to be “incompatible to Christian teachings.” However, the denomination's social principles support gay rights and liberties. Dammann, 47, declared her sexual preference in February 2001, when she sought a new church appointment. She and her partner of nine years, Meredith Savage, married earli er this month in Oregon. They have a 5-year-old son. Dammann said she and Savage planned to stay out of NEWS IN BRIEF the public eye for a few days rather than join her congrega tion, but said she hopes to return to Ellensburg as pastor. She’s been on family leave for more than two years, caring for her son, who has a respira tory illness. At Sunday’s service, attend ed by about 60 people, the Rev. Ron Hines, superintendent of the Pacific Northwest Conference’s Seven Rivers District, read a letter from Bishop Elias Galvan. “This decision will not resolve the conflict within the United Methodist Church, nor within the congregations of this conference,” Galvan wrote. “As long as this issue is impor tant to society, the church must continue to reflect theologically and biblically and lead in min istries of justice and peace.” Dammann said she realizes the church has a difficult time ahead of it. “For the church it means the beginning of another stage of the struggle,” she said Saturday. “I’m mindful of that. This is going to be painful.” Since the late 1980s, Pacific Northwest Methodist leaders have petitioned for eased poli cies on homosexuality at each of the denomination’s General Conferences, held every four years. During past international General Conferences, most attendees have opposed change. The next General Conference begins next month. Similar rifts have developed in other Christian denomina tions — most notably the Episcopal Church, which con firmed an openly gay bishop last year. Since then, several conservative parishes have threatened to break ties with the denomination. “These are not easy issues to agree upon,” said Rev. Jim Finkbeiner. who prosecuted the case against Dammann. “Frankly, we in the Northwest are still in the minority, but it’s a growing minority.” 2 l,S. will retain power in Iraq liter transfer of sovereignty andebi -care nr a pci irtmem to offer Iraq — The United States says Iraq will .jj isovereign, no longer under military occupation, on me30. But most power will reside within the world's rgestU.S. Embassy, backed by 110,000 U.S. troops. Ihe fledgling Iraqi government will be capable tackling little more than drawing up a budget id ng for elections, top U.S. and Iraqi ify on til ficialssay. 'We're still here. We'll be paying a lot of attention, the Ted rvices, st it and we’ll have a lot of influence,” a top U.S. official said on condition of anonymity. “We’re going to have the world's largest diplomatic mission with a signifi cant amount of political weight.” In just over three months, the mantle of sovereign ty in Iraq will be passed to an interim government. Its composition and the manner of its choosing will be decided after a United Nations team arrives this week. But with Iraqi elections scheduled for December or January, the interim government will last a fleeting seven months at most: a butterfly's life, in legislative terms. )ii servtf ■ is i» ,toSM The Administrative Offices of Transportation Services are moving March 24. Administrative and Customer Service offices will be closed. Our new address will be: 702 University Drive East, Bldg. E All phone numbers will remain the same. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Transportation Services UCS JOB OPPORTUNITIES Rentsys' College Station Hilton Tuesday, March 30, 2004 6:00-8:00pm Oakwood Ballroom The Battalion IN PRINT ONLINE ON RADIO Come join us at an informational reception where you can be introduced to Future career opportunities that exist within our company. This will be a come- and-go event and refreshments will be provided. For a listing of current job opportunities please visit us online at: www.universalcomputersys.com www.rentsys.com UCS is one of the largest and most successful business software and hardware providers in the automotive dealership industry. We also have other divisions that include a PC and technology rental firm. At UCS, we are always looking for the right person. Previous experience is not required, and we provide a com prehensive training program for all positions. We hire non-tobacco users only. E.O.E. Attn ad #1165. 200 Quality Circle 6700 Hollister College Station, TX 77845 Houston, TX 77040 E g CO -Q CD News Sports Opinion Mailcall Aggielife Photo Graphics Comics AP News Classifieds BRIDGING T>J£ GAPS The Future of the £tf-U.S. Relations March 2$, 2004 Annt*fib«rf| Caitfwrwucu George Presidential Library Complex Symposium Panel Sessions Open to the Public and Free of Charge 10:30 — 11:45 am - Panel I “Identities in Conflict: Does the EU Foster a European Identity, or Reinforce a Nationalist Perspective Among European Youth? International Center World Room, Room 1017 10:30 - 11:45 am - Panel II “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Food Safety Issues” Presidential Conference Center, Rooms 1011, 1011A 1:30 — 2:30 pm - Panel III “International Criminal Court” Presidential Conference Center, Rooms 1011, 1011A 2:45 — 4:00 pm - Panel IV “ Global Security Issues” Presidential Conference Center, Rooms 1011, 1011A 4:15-5:00 pm - Concluding Remarks Robert A. Bradtke, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State Presidential Conference Center, Rooms 1011, 1011A Co-«f»oiUi<»r«Kl by: The r«A<<» A&M Umvereity Union Center • SewtJt Te*<e* Cohere of Lew • The Geoiye Uweta ffetnaeniiei Liinery Fnendetion * The George tleeit School of Government enri PuikUc Service the spring bridal event march 26 & 27 widest selection original designs exceptional service INCREDIBLE SELECTION featuring designs by David Gardner Memoire, Natalie K, Verragio, Simon G, Christain Bauer and Scott Kay ;' ^ „ "r cIavioJ qarcJner's Jewelers ♦ Gemologists fhe ring source for hopeful couples come in, get comfortable and make her dreams come true Visit the store at 522 University Drive t. ^Between the Suit Club and Audio Video) Call 979-764-8786 for an appointment.