Lesbian clergy once expelled, now embraced

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September 16, 2010
Sasha Aslanian - Reporter, Ruth Frost - Interviewee, Phyllis Zillhart - Interviewee, Lowell Erdahl - Interviewee
Listen: Received at Last (Aslanian)-2646
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MPR’s Sasha Aslanian profiles Ruth Frost and Phyllis Zillhart, the first lesbian couple ordained without the blessing of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. On Saturday, for only the second time in the country, the Lutheran Church will officially welcome them to its roster of clergy.

The "Rite of Reception" in St. Paul is part of a new chapter of reconciliation. The first such ceremony was held in San Francisco in July 2010 for seven pastors. Frost and Zillhart's event also will include Anita Hill, a pastor at St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted in 2009 to drop the requirement that to serve as pastors, they refrain from sexual relationships.

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