From The Interim Pastor:
Conversations on Equality
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From The Interim Pastor: Conversations on Equality |
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Our Congregation's Conversation about Marriage Equality Is Taking Place
Right Now! Our congregation is currently engaged in a conversation about marriage
equality. The question is: Shall same gender couples have their
commitment to each other celebrated with a wedding ceremony and shall
we, within our congregation, recognize their union as a marriage? Some people say yes. Some people say no. Some people are unsure.
Neighborhood conversations have been organized to allow members and
friends of the congregation to listen to each other's questions and
share each other's insights so that we might learn from one another.
That is part of our covenant with each another. If you haven't been to
one of these meetings please locate the list of remaining meetings in
this issue of the Full Circle and plan now to attend. A series of position papers have been posted on the church's website to help think through the issues. If you don't have access to a computer please call the church office and we'll see that you receive a paper copy. Another online source of good information is from a website of
progressive Presbyterians. These series of short papers have been
written by seminary and university faculty members who have struggled to
be informed by the historic creeds of our theological tradition while
also being faithful to the witness of scripture. It makes for some
provocative reading. Here's the link:
http://www.covenantnetwork.org/faqsbc06.htm Who Gets Married In Our Congregation? One of the questions that has been raised as the congregation engages in
this conversation is, "What is our congregation's policy on who can be
married in the sanctuary?" The policy here, as it is in most churches
that I know, is that it is left to the discretion of the pastors. Does that mean I will marry anyone who asks? No. My practice, as it has
been with prior pastors here, is that I will marry anyone who is 1) a
member or friend of the congregation, 2) related to a member or friend
of the congregation or 3) someone I personally know from the community.
Are there exceptions to those rules. Yes, but generally I have found
that this practice serves me and the congregation well. Preparing for a
wedding and doing the premarital counseling is time intensive. My
pastoral responsibilities do not leave me much extra time to officiate
at weddings outside the life of the congregation. That is why I limit
the number of weddings I perform. Jennifer's practice is somewhat different than mine. She will perform
weddings for any couple who is willing to go through at least three
months of pre-marital counseling with her. Because the laws of this
state do not provide equal protection, benefits, or responsibilities for
same gender couples as it does for heterosexual couples, she will not
sign marriage certificates for any couple until she can sign them for
all couples. She encourages all couples to secure all legal rights and
benefits available to them, including having heterosexual couples ask
any officer of the court (attorney, judge, etc.) to witness their
wedding and sign the certificate for them. |