Written by Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer
To the faithful who worked to defeat Question 1 in Maine
November 4, 2009
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As I followed the Question 1 results in Maine, it was hard for me to put down the computer. I just kept believing that returns would come in that would defeat the repeal of marriage equality. It didn't happen. I know my own disappointment about these results and I can only imagine the disappointment, anger, and frustration so many of you feel from our faith communities in Maine and beyond. I want you to know that I am among a great number of friends and colleagues in the national setting who are surrounding you with our thoughts, prayers, and solidarity.
As disappointing as the results are, there is one thing I am not disappointed about and that is the heart and soul effort you have given to this campaign. The coalitions you built, the educational activities you led, conversations you engaged, the miles of pavement you covered as you marched, canvassed, phone banked and did a host of other things to change hearts and minds and get out the vote – all of this is a mighty testament and inspiration to all of us committed to the work of justice and equality. You may not feel it today, but know that you have advanced the movement by your efforts. Thank you for all you have done.
Keep the faith, trust the vision, take care of yourself and continue the journey because hope is greater than despair, love is greater than fear and equality is greater than discrimination.
With much love and gratitude,
and in faithful service,
Mike
Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer
Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy
Minister for LGBT Concerns
Marriage is one of the most significant institutions in our culture. The sacred and civil, church and state dimensions of marriage are complex and often muddled, which makes marriage one of the most challenging issues to discuss in the church and beyond.
On July 4, 2005, at the 25th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Atlanta, delegates voted to adopt the resolution, "Equal Marriage Rights for All" The resources below are provided to help facilitate conversations and study throughout the church and society on this complex and challenging matter which has important implications for individuals, families and the wider community. They are intended to get people of faith talking about the purposes of marriage, looking more closely at how marriage has evolved and changed through time biblically and socially, exploring the theology of marriage, and critically discerning the appropriate roles for the church and the state in marriage.
The colleagues who worked together to prepare these resources join the Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ who, in calling us to this important dialog say, "let us explore our faith in relation to these issues: the meaning of Christian marriage, the blessing of unions among same-sex couples, the honoring of diverse expressions of loving and caring human relationships, being guided in all things by the love of Jesus. Above all, may these conversations be ventured in humility and prayer."
General Synod 25 Marriage Resolution
Reflections by General Minister and President, The Rev. John H. Thomas
Call to Action and Invitation to Dialogue, UCC Executive Council (2004)
Call to Dialogue, UCC Conference Ministers (1996)
Please consider signing-on to the
Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing's "Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality"
Online clergy registry being developed
If you are clergy living in California and you will perform same sex marriages, please register with California Faith for Equality.
To register click here.
Inclusive Liturgy from the UCC Book of Worship
STUDY:
God Is Still Speaking about Marriage [Newly Revised, June 2008]
Recommended by General Synod 25
- An in depth Christian education study resource on marriage, including marriage equality for same gender loving couples.
Free Download [PDF] or call UCC Resources to order [Item# WCMGSM], 800-537-3394.
Sacred Covenants, Faithful Conversation, a DVD resource for talking about marriage.
This DVD contains two items: a 30 minute video on the question of marriage equality in light of the resolution adopted by General Synod 25 (2005) and the 45 minute floor debate on the marriage equality resolution at General Synod 25. Order from UCC Resources or call (toll free) 800-537-3394, Item# WCMSCFC
UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns
Audio
- Marriage Equality Debate
This is an audio link to a debate on the civil right to marry for same sex couples held at Stanford University School of Law, on April 20, 2005. The participants in the debate were Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of Freedom to Marry and Rev. Lou Sheldon, President of the Traditional Values Coalition.
Articles
Books
- Same-Sex Marriage? A Christian Ethical analysis by Marvin Ellison, (Pilgrim Press 2004)
- What God Has Joined Together, A Christian Case for Gay Marriage by David G. Myers and Letha Dawson Scanzoni (Harper San Francisco 2005)
- Gay Unions in the Light of Scripture, Tradition and Reason by Gray Temple (Church Publishing 2004)
- Why Marriage Matters, America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry by Evan Wolfson (Simon and Schuster 2004)
- Same Sex Unions in Premodern Europe by John Boswell (Vintage Books 1994)
- Christianity and the Making of the Modern Family by Rosemary Radford Ruether (Beacon Press 2000)
