Noted in the Northwest

A brief look at news in Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhoods

Bishop to appeal Stroud ruling

The leader of the region’s United Methodist Church will challenge the ruling that restored the ordination credentials of Beth Stroud, an avowed lesbian minister from Germantown.

Bishop Marcus Matthews, who presides over the denomination’s Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, announced on May 3 that he would file an appeal with the Judicial Council, the church’s highest court.

On April 29, a United Methodist appeals committee voted 8-1 to overturn an earlier church trial court’s decision to defrock Stroud for violating the denomination’s ban on gay clergy.

The appeals panel reversed the ruling on procedural grounds, contending the church had never adequately defined the key terms used in its prosecution.

The Judicial Council is set to meet in Houston in October.

Stroud has remained at First United Methodist Church of Germantown as a lay minister since her defrocking last December. Last week, she declined reappointment as associate pastor. After the ruling last month, Stroud said she would not vest or perform clergy functions until the appeals process was concluded.

Three groups honored for preservation efforts

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia feted three area community groups last week with its annual “Community Action” award. West Mt. Airy Neighbors, West Central Germantown Neighbors and Pomona Cherokee Civic Council were honored for their efforts to preserve the former Presser and Nugent homes on West Johnson Street last fall.

It was deemed the “most significant grassroots preservation effort of 2004.”

“I think they did a great job in organizing their communities in a situation that was complicated and complex,” said John Gallery, executive director of the Preservation Alliance.

Furthermore, their efforts were quickly followed by the interest of three developers. “It was an amazing outcome,” Gallery said. “I never thought they would come forward as rapidly as they did.”

Nolen Cos., a King of Prussia-based developer, won a three-way bid for the properties last month.

Last year, the community groups organized to support the historic designation of the two buildings when Impacting Your World Ministries, a nondenominational Germantown church, sought to demolish at least one of the properties and redevelop the 5.6-acre site.

Turning out at a series of meetings before the Philadelphia Historical Commission, the groups successfully lobbied for historic status.

That designation complicated Impacting Your World’s plans and the deal fell through.

—Michael J. Mishak

Pastorius Park meeting this Sunday
An organization meeting for those wishing to volunteer at this summer’s Pastorius Park concert series will be held this Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m. at the home of CHCA social division vice president Tia Burke. The purpose of the meeting is to plan for the upcoming concert series, which begins Wednesday, June 15. Call 215-247-1960 for more information.