From The Interim Lead Pastor:

The Marriage Equality Question
  The Washington State Supreme Court has decided that the DOMA law which outlaws marriages between people of the same sex is constitutional. On a national level the U.S. House of Representatives recently voted on a proposed Constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. Given these two events, and in light of an adult education class that will be offered in the fall on the topic of marriage equality, I want to share with you this statement that was addressed to members of Congress by the Rev. John Thomas, the General Minister and President of our United Church of Christ. He is articulating the views of the General Synod of the UCC, a representative national policy making body within our denomination that speaks to our churches, but not for our churches.

On July 4, 2005, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ acted courageously to declare freedom, affirming marriage equality, affirming the civil right of same gender couples to have their relationships recognized as marriages by the state, and encouraging our local churches to celebrate and bless those marriages.
  This action continues the long trajectory of resolutions by the General Synod which have affirmed the full human dignity of all persons, encouraged the welcome and affirmation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons as members and ministers in the church and recognized and respected the full citizenship of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, advocating for their full and equal civil rights.

  The General Synod has acted both out of a concern for justice, demanding that the present discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons be ended, as well as out of a theological conviction that same gender couples are as capable of fulfilling the vocation of marriage as heterosexual couples, a vocation described in our marriage rite as one in which couples offer each other mutual care and companionship, bear witness to God’s great gift of joy for them and for others exemplified in the story of Jesus at the wedding at Cana in Galilee, and in the intimacy of their relationship, represent the intimacy of Christ’s love for the Church. Many of our pastors have presided at the marriages of gay and lesbian couples which have taken place in the sanctuaries of many United Church of Christ congregations.

  Through their action, the General Synod has voiced its opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment, which proposes to single out same gender couples for discrimination in the U.S. Constitution, denying them access to the full rights, benefits and responsibilities accorded heterosexual couples through civil, legal marriage. Thus, on behalf of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, I call on the members of the United States House of Representatives to respect the religious diversity that exists in our country, respect the U.S. Constitution and its longstanding tradition of expanding rights, rather than restricting them, and urge the Members of Congress to vote against the proposed H.J. Res. 88, the Federal Marriage Amendment.

 As a congregation we are not all of one mind on this issue. The committed relationships of some of our members are affected by the court decision. Other members find it troublesome to change the traditional nature of marriage. One thing is sure. This issue is not going away. Our religious tradition requires that we put intellectual inquiry and spiritual discernment to work as we approach this topic. Remember, our unity is not found in being of one mind on all articles of faith. Our unity comes from guaranteeing each other the freedom to be on a spiritual journey led by the Spirit of God. What is important is that we continue to talk with one another. Let us keep the conversation going! 

“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2  

Grace and peace,   Scott