BALTIMORE — A United Methodist appeals court has restored Irene Elizabeth Stroud's ministry credentials, although she isn't putting her robes back on just yet.

By an 8-1 vote, the appeals panel yesterday overturned the defrocking of Stroud, the Philadelphia minister punished in a December church trial because she is a "self-avowed, practicing lesbian."

Although the evidence of her same-sex relationship was "uncontradicted and overwhelming," the panel ruled, the defrocking must be nullified because several key terms under which Stroud was disciplined never have been defined adequately by the proper church bodies.

"The verdict and the penalty are reversed and set aside," declared the Rev. William Campbell, who headed the appellate panel of four Methodist clergy and five lay leaders.

Stroud — whose challenge to church restrictions on noncelibate homosexual clergy has made her a cause célèbre among gay-rights activists — expressed quiet relief at the decision.

"This is just one step," she said. "But the ruling today gives me hope that the United Methodist Church does have within itself the resources to do justice."

At the same time, Stroud, 35, said she would not resume her clergy functions at First United Methodist Church of Germantown until legal proceedings have run their course.

"Ordination is a sacred trust," she said. "It is not something that I can put on and take off again like a suit of clothes."

Church lawyers said they would confer with the Eastern Pennsylvania bishop, Marcus Matthews, about an appeal to the denomination's highest court, the Judicial Council.

"We are clearly disappointed," said the Rev. Thomas Hall, chief counsel. He acknowledged the ruling "does send a message that we are going to have to look more seriously at this issue."