Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Pennsylvania pastor who performed gay wedding suspended

Pennsylvania pastor who performed gay wedding suspended


Schaefer Family via AP file
The Rev. Frank Schaefer, right, and his son Tim.
By Michael Rubinkam, The Associated Press
A United Methodist minister from southeastern Pennsylvania who was convicted under church law of officiating at his son's same-sex wedding ceremony was suspended for 30 days Tuesday and told he will lose his credentials if he violates any of the church's rules in that time. 
The same jury of fellow pastors that convicted Rev. Frank Schaefer on Monday of breaking his vows told him he must surrender his credentials if he can't reconcile his new calling to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with the laws from the church's Book of Discipline. 

Before the punishment ruling, Schaefer, who was convicted for officiating at his son's 2007 wedding ceremony in Massachusetts, told the jury Tuesday that he is unrepentant and refused to promise he wouldn't perform more gay unions. 
Rather than beg for mercy Tuesday in the trial that has rekindled debate within the nation's largest mainline Protestant denomination over church policies on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, the pastor upped the stakes, telling jurors that he has been called by God to be an advocate for the rights of LGBT people. 
The church "needs to stop judging people based on their sexual orientation," he said. "We have to stop the hate speech. We have to stop treating them as second-class Christians." 

The nation's largest mainline Protestant denomination accepts gay and lesbian members, but it rejects the practice of homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian teaching." 

Schaefer donned a rainbow-colored stole on the witness stand and told jurors it symbolized his commitment to the cause. 
"I will never be silent again," he said, as some of his supporters wept in the gallery. "This is what I have to do." 
Jon Boger, who filed the initial complaint against Schaefer, was outraged by the pastor's recalcitrance. The career Naval officer grew up in Zion United Methodist Church of Iona, the church that Schaefer has led for 11 years. 
"Frank Schaefer sat here and openly rebuked the United Methodist Church, its policies, standards and doctrines," Bolger said when called as a rebuttal witness. "He should no longer be in service as a minister of the United Methodist Church, not at Iona, not anywhere else." 
Earlier Tuesday, the Methodists' prosecutor called former members of Schaefer's church who said his conduct split the congregation, and experts who said the punishment should serve as a deterrent to other like-minded clergy. 
Christina Watson said her family left Schaefer's church because they no longer wanted to be "subjected to the preaching and teaching" of Schaefer. 
"To me, it wasn't a good Christian example for ministers to say it's OK to break the rules of your church," she testified. 
The Rev. Paul Stallworth, who leads a United Methodist task force on sexuality and abortion, testified that church law requires jurors to "openly rebuke" Schaefer so that fellow clergy will think twice before breaking it. 
Schaefer had previously testified that he performed his son's 2007 wedding in Massachusetts out of love, not a desire to flout church teaching on homosexuality. 
But Tuesday's testimony made clear he has had a change of heart. 
"I have to minister to those who hurt and that's what I'm doing," said Schaefer. 
The prosecutor, the Rev. Christopher Fisher, invited Schaefer to "repent of your actions" and pledge never again to perform a homosexual union. 
"I cannot," Schaefer replied. 
His son, Tim Schaefer, told jurors he knew he was putting his father in a difficult position by asking him to officiate his wedding. But he concluded he would hurt his father's feelings if he didn't ask. 
Schaefer said he hoped his father's trial would start a larger conversation in the denomination. 
Bishop Alfred Gwinn, the presiding church officer in the trial, asked the jury to lay out how the sentence will be implemented and the 13 jurors left the courtroom to formulate an answer.

Laptop v desktop v all-in-one v tablet: how to choose your next PC

18/09/2013 12:15 | By David Nield, contributor, MSN Tech
Laptop v desktop v all-in-one v tablet: how to choose your next PC
How to choose your next PC: a computer buying guide





Whether you're starting out at University, getting a new computer for home or looking to buy a second one for the bedroom, there's a bewildering number of options when it comes to choosing a new PC. A laptop would perhaps be the first choice for the majority of users, but the latest tablets can do many of the same tasks, particularly once you've got a Bluetooth keyboard connected up; meanwhile, the old traditional desktop and the new touchscreen all-in-ones are worth considering too.

Each of these computers — laptop, desktop, all-in-one and tablet — have their own advantages and disadvantages, and we're here to guide you through the maze of buying decisions you'll face the next time you step into your favourite high street PC retailer. If you know what you need and what you can get before you start shopping, you can make sure your money is well spent on the right computer for you.
Click on the image above for all of the information you need .



More on MSN Tech:





Justin Bieber, You Still Owe Germany $10,000, You Know, For the Monkey?

Justin Bieber, You Still Owe Germany $10,000, You Know, For the Monkey?


Lily Allen Confirms Herself for Glastonbury 2014, But Who Will Headline?

Lily Allen Confirms Herself for Glastonbury 2014, But Who Will Headline?


Lily Allen is the first major act to confirm an appearance at Glastonbury Festival 2014.

The singer, who made her comeback with new single 'Hard Out Here,' confirmed the news on Nick Grimshaw's Radio 1 Breakfast Show on Tuesday (November 19 2013).

"It got confirmed yesterday," she said, "I'll be doing 16 weeks of festivals over the summer and then tour." Lily said Glastonbury would be her first "big" gig of 2014 and added: "It's the best festival, I think - that, and Fuji Rock in Japan,"


Allen's comeback has not been without its controversy - the video for her single appears to poke fun at highly sexualised promo clips by the likes of Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke, though some commentators accused it of racism, something the singer refutes.

"If anyone thinks for a second that I requested specific ethnicities for the video, they're wrong," she said, saying that the video was partly inspired by how close she came to havng extensive plastic surgery to get rid of her "mummy tummy." "Nobody's immune to the pressure to look thin," she told the Observer Magazine.

The headliners for Glastonbury Festival 2014 remain shrouded in mystery. Organiser Michael Eavis claimed all three had never played the festival before, though this can almost certainly be discounted given his track record.

Last month, his daughter Emily Eavis revealed that she is close to securing the first two headline acts and has "a few options" for the final spot. 

"We are away in Cornwall this week and I've just been talking to an agent on the phone on the beach in the rain about one of our headliners!" she told NME. "We're definitely getting close to securing two and there are a few options for the third. It's annoying really as there are lots of great bands touring next year and we'd love to have them all. But rest assured, it's going to be one hell of a show - maybe even the best yet"

Dolly Parton appears to be a certainty for the "legends spot," though the headliners is a little more difficult to predict. Fleetwood Mac have long been rumored for a spot, while the return of Elbow could see Guy Garvey's men take another slot. Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters and Prince are all possibilities.

Who do you think will headline Glastonbury 2014?



UNBELIEVABLE PHOTOS: Check Out This 2 Yr Old Boy Who's Addicted To Cigarettes & Smokes 40 In A Day

UNBELIEVABLE PHOTOS: Check Out This 2 Yr Old Boy Who's Addicted To Cigarettes & Smokes 40 In A Day 

At the age of two, this toddler shocked the world when photos of him were revealed as he was chain-smoking cigarettes.
Now, at age 5, he has reportedly kicked the habit, although he now seems to have another addiction. Food.





Aldi Rizal was discovered in a poor village in Sumatra, Indonesia, puffing on a cigarette while riding his tricycle.
After his lifestyle was discovered, he was taken for play therapy sessions in the capital Jakarta for two weeks to take his mind off his 40-a-day habit and learn to be a normal toddler for the first time.
Now, a new documentary has shown the progress made by this little boy. It has been revealed that he has managed to stay off the cigarettes, but is still dangerously unhealthy.

His mother revealed that Aldi faces temptation often:
'There are many people still offering Aldi cigarettes, but Aldi no."
However, Mrs Rizal is now worried about her son's weight, as he developed food cravings while quitting smoking, and now has a big appetite.
Mrs Rizal said the strong-willed little boy now demands food in the same way he used to beg for cigarettes, and the family struggles not to give in to his tantrums.
She said: 'When Aldi first quit smoking he would demand a lot of toys.



'He would bang his head on the wall if he couldn't get what he wanted. That's why I get him cigarettes in the first place - because of his temper and his crying.
'Now I don't give him cigarettes, but he eats a lot. With so many people living in the house it's hard to stop him from getting food.'
Mrs Rizal must also persuade Aldi's siblings and the rest of the family not to give in and provide him with junk food when she is not around.
Doctors hope that if Aldi can lose around half a stone to a stone, his weight will eventually even out as he starts to grow taller.
- See more at: http://www.411vibes.com/2013/11/unbelievable-photos-check-out-this-2-yr.html#sthash.0DKDql9G.dpuf

'He would bang his head on the wall if he couldn't get what he wanted. That's why I get him cigarettes in the first place - because of his temper and his crying.
'Now I don't give him cigarettes, but he eats a lot. With so many people living in the house it's hard to stop him from getting food.'
Mrs Rizal must also persuade Aldi's siblings and the rest of the family not to give in and provide him with junk food when she is not around.

Doctors hope that if Aldi can lose around half a stone to a stone, his weight will eventually even out as he starts to grow taller.