A former Lebanon County pastor was defrocked and then reinstated was invited to speak at a York church Sunday morning.
Supporters of Reverend Frank Schaefer and parishioners of Heidelberg United Church of Christ, gathered for Sunday services.
"For me it was really you know a blessing to see that you know someone that was so connected to his church as well as his family make that stand and say you know this is what is right for me and this is the path that I need to follow. So that spoke volumes for me," said parishioner Jose Garcia.
Reverend Schaefer was defrocked from the United Methodist Church last year after religious leaders found out that he had officiated his gay son's wedding. Last month, Schaefer was reinstated by the judicial council.
Schaefer now lives in California. He's visiting Central Pennsylvania this week to see friends, family and promote his new book: “Defrocked: How a Father’s Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church.”