A lesbian pastor will leave her United Methodist Church in Edgerton at the end of August to avoid a church trial to determine if she should be ousted.

Methodist officials and pastor Cynthia Meyer agreed in early August that she would give up her duties and go on involuntary leave. Her leave will begin Sept. 1.

The Kansas City Star reports Meyer came out to her congregation in January. At the time, she said she hoped the denomination was close to changing its ban on gay clergy. That didn’t happen and a church trial was scheduled for Aug. 24.

Under the agreement, Meyer can’t be appointed as a pastor at any church but could be hired to perform functions similar to a lay staff person.