Saint Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church

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Saint Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church (SPR) is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in St Paul, Minnesota. It is part of the Saint Paul Area Synod.

The congregation gained national attention in 2001 when it ordained The Reverend Anita C. Hill (not to be confused with Anita Hill of the Clarence Thomas US Senate confirmation hearings). Hill is a lesbian in a committed relationship. Under ELCA guidelines for ordination, a candidate who "self-identifies as a homosexual is expected to refrain from sexual relations." The Saint Paul Area Synod, the local ecclesiastical authority, chose to "censure and admonish" the congregation for a period of time.

The congregation is also notable for having a membership consisting of nearly 25% of people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.

[edit] External links

• SPR home page