To the Editor:

We would like to correct some wrong assumptions made in a February 12 article concerning our forum, Navigating Life’s Issues, to be held on Sunday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Princeton United Methodist Church. The forum will discuss how the United Methodist Church is roiled in controversy over its policy on same-sex marriages. Some churches and pastors strongly support same-sex weddings, but the current official stance bans clergy from performing, and churches from hosting, same-sex ceremonies.

The Town Topics article stated that the New Jersey bishop decided to “defrock” a pastor and remove his ordination. The correct facts are that this was done at a church trial in another state! And the New Jersey bishop has strenuously objected to these trials.

In fact, the forum will open with a video of the New Jersey bishop’s anguished response to the trial that removed Rev. Frank Schaefer’s ordination for officiating at the wedding of his son to another man.

We wish to emphasize that we are grateful for the usually excellent coverage that Town Topics has provided to the churches and nonprofit organizations in the community.

Members of the community are invited to the forum, which is free; it will be conducted by Dr. Don Brash in coffee shop style, with coffee and dessert available. Princeton United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Nassau Street at Vandeventer Avenue (609-924-2613, www.PrincetonUMC.org)

Dr. Don Brash, Marvin Ostberg