Controversial Santa Cruz Priest Charged By Church

By Curtis Cartier
Tue, Sep 14, 2010

Under the light of stained glass windows and gas lamps, the Reverend Joel P. Miller delivers his homily on “inviting sinners to the feast of the Lord.” The redwood pews at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Santa Cruz sit more empty than occupied, but attention is rapt among the 50 or so worshipers as the short, mustachioed priest discusses the importance of forgiveness and of serving the “least among us.”

“In the gospel we’re told that Jesus sits down to eat with sinners and tax collectors. The worst people!” says Miller in a soft and nasal voice as he saunters between the well-worn pews. “So what we see is that Jesus loves people, he loves his neighbors, includes them and embraces them. That’s what we try to do here.”

It’s an appropriate subject for a priest who has made a name in Santa Cruz for his controversial homeless outreach services, which have at times outraged neighbors and city leaders after crowds of homeless people showed up for free dinners and turned the downtown church’s lawn into a party zone. Lately criticism has come from a new direction: within the church itself. In late July, Miller was charged with “conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy” by the Episcopal Church in a development that could see Miller suspended or even defrocked. the rest