WYOMISSING, Pa. – The congregation of a historic Lutheran church in eastern Pennsylvania has voted to name a woman who is in a same-sex marriage to serve as its associate pastor.
The Reading Eagle reports that 27-year-old Julie Recher received more than the required two-thirds majority Sunday from members of Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing, which is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
The denomination decided in 2009 to allow the ordination of men and women in committed same-sex relationships.
As associate pastor, Recher will work with the church’s youth ministries and small groups.
Atonement Lutheran Church is 104 years old and has about 1,700 members.