Written by Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer
Attention Clergy: 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.
On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court overturned California's ban on same-sex marriage, ruling that domestic partnerships that provide many of the rights and benefits of matrimony are not enough. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Ronald George said, "In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation."
The Northen California Nevada Conference affirmed the court decision at their 2008 Annual Meeting the weekend following the decision. The Southern California Nevada Conference (SCNC), at their 2008 Annual Meeting June 19-20, similarly affirmed the court's decision and opposed a Constitutional Amendment (Proposition 8) that will go before California voters in November limiting marriage to hetersexual couples. The SCNC also reaffirmed the resolution they adopted in 2004 supporting marriage equality. The 2004 resolution was endorsed in 2005 by the Northern California Nevada Conference and subsequently became a substantial part of the resolution, "In Support of Equal Marriage Rights for All" adopted the same year by General Synod 25 in Atlanta. The response of both Conferences points to the significant involvement of UCC congregations, pastors and lay leaders working for marriage equality in California. In addition, California Faith for Equality, a key participant in the Equality For All Coalition, has proven to be an important partner in this concern.
Marriage licenses began to be issued in California on June 16, the moment the ruling went into effect. Open and Affirming pastors and congregations are preparing to respond, not only to requests to perform ceremonies but to defend the ruling. UCC leaders in both California conferences are working to defeat a November ballot initiative sponsored by a group known as Protect Marriage. The initiative proposes an amendment to California's constitution limiting marriage to a man and a woman and would overide the court's ruling.
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
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)
