Gay Methodist Pastor Formally Cited by Bishop

SEATTLE — A complaint has been filed against the openly gay pastor of Woodland Park United Methodist Church, the first step toward his possible removal.

The complaint, announced Dec. 18, was made by Bishop Elias Galvan of Seattle at the direction of a high court of the church.

The Rev. Mark Edward Williams disclosed his sexual orientation at the denomination's Pacific Northwest Annual Conference in June. The United Methodist Church bars the appointment of openly gay clergy, but Williams' parishioners have fought to keep him.