CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Churches Charged in Gay Ordinations

Formal disciplinary charges have been lodged against two Lutheran congregations that violated denominational policy by ordaining three gay ministers who refuse to renounce sexual relations. St. Francis and First United churches face punishment ranging from censure to expulsion from the church organization for “willfully disregarding” membership requirements of the 5.2-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Jeff Johnson, 27, was installed Sunday as assistant pastor at First United. At the same time, Ruth Frost, 42, and Phyllis Zillhart, 32, were installed at St. Francis, near the predominantly gay Castro neighborhood. The ELCA bans ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals.” A consultation team will be named to meet with the congregations. If the group cannot resolve the dispute, a 12-member disciplinary committee will review the charges.