With a possible historic vote looming on a measure supporting same-sex marriage, the head of the United Church of Christ on Tuesday publicly endorsed the resolution for the first time.
The Rev. John H. Thomas said Tuesday that the church’s General Synod “should affirm the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender persons” to have marriages “equal in name, privileges and responsibilities to married heterosexual couples.”
“I believe our local churches, as they are able, should move toward the development of marriage equality policies,” Thomas added during a speech at Emory University.
More below.
I’ve mentioned before that if the UCC adopts this proposal, it will be history-making: we will be the first mainline denomination to positively affirm same-sex marriage.
It’s by no means a done deal; there are two competing resolutions, one against SSM, one asking for more time for prayer, reflection, and conversation. And Thomas’ opinion, while influential, is just that: opinion. His vote counts only as much as any other delegate’s.
Still, it’s a step in the right direction, and worth some thanks, don’t you think?
Light them up. Let ’em know you support them.
If you’re interested, you can follow the entire General Synod online.
How refreshing. A church that welcomes people. As a lapsed Catholic I have been thinking about whether I want to affiliate myself with another church, and the UCC seems like it might be a good fit. I like what I’ve been reading about the more inclusive Episcopal churches as well. Course, I’m lazy and haven’t checked it out yet. Doh!
Hey, Dixie!
Take a look here. There’s a form on there that will help you find the nearest UCC congregation(s).
</Televangelist mode.>
I should point out too that Thomas spoke at Emory University, I’m assuming at the Candler Chapel, where I went to seminary…
I like the UCC website. Is it shallow to judge a church by the pictures on their website? The one near me looks like it has like 12 members and I just don’t like to stand out that much! I was kinda hoping to sneak in the back door with one or two of my kids and just have a look see for a couple of weeks without being, well, noticed.
Wholeheartedly support you checking out the UCC offerings. Lot of good folks there I think – and I hear the cookies are awesome.
but if I can slip around the cookie table here and plant a few link to other possibilities, just for your, and other readers, awareness.
http://www.rmnetwork.org/findus.php
that’s a way to search by state for congregations that have affiliated with Reconciling Ministries (disclosure – I’m a member – UMC related)
here are some Episcopalian contacts
http://www.integrityusa.org/circles/CongregationalCircles.htm
here – believe it or not – is the main Catholic affiliated group
http://www.dignityusa.org/
and here is a similar link for More Light Presbyterians – another fine group of folks.
http://www.mlp.org/index.php?topic=churches
congregations listed on those the Reconciling and More Light lists would have undergone a lengthy process of working through their stance on GLBT issues – and decided to publicly affiliate.
Being on a list like this suggest to me that they likely have an enlightened and progressive stance on a host of issues, and be just the sort of place a BT poster with religious interest would find connection and challenge in. So even if GLBT issues aren’t “your” issue – it’s a good shorthand way to find an active, thinking congregation.
Obviously there are lots of other good places – my own home UMC is not on these lists (yet!)
I know less about the other groups – here’s a good overview of groups that have been supportive during Beth Stroud’s saga within the UMC
http://www.bethstroud.info/church.shtml#Denomination
Hope you find a match Dixie (and I’m sure PD will be keeping up the good work online 🙂
Grace and Peace
[Pastordan aims sectarian bazooka at itsbob]
…3…
…2…
…1…
FWOOM!!!
I’d retaliate by overturning the cookie table…. but (munch)….
they’re so (munch) tasty…..
must (munch, munch) make amends…
why, I feel a donation to the UCC media fund coming on.
Have a choco-chip cookie…
I’m holding out for a mean snickerdoodle 🙂
Wow, lots of good links. Someone’s been doing their homework!
I’m not gay (not that there’s anything wrong with it)but I’ve been so disheartened about the exclusivity of some Christian denominations that I thought if I could find one that openly accepted gays (not that there’s anything wrong with it) that would be a good start.
On second thought, I am on marriage number two, and, you know, if this one doesn’t work out maybe I’ll try something new.
Hmmm – I’m not gay either – but did I just…. hmmmm
I wonder if the gay agenda(tm) has a recruitment bonus I’d qualify for?
Seriously though – I think your logic is sound – speaking out prophetically on GLBT issues tells me a Church is working, thinking, and serious about the kind of ministry I encounter in stories of the life of Jesus.
after your first 5 recruitments, you get a free toaster oven… 😉
What are those fruitloops going to do next to try to piss off God? You know when God fries all the churches from heaven that he is angry with, Fox is going to broadcast the truth…….WHILE AIMING FOR THE CHURCH OF CHRIST TODAY GOD ACCIDENTALLY OFFED SOME HIS OWN CHURCHES. THEY WERE KILLED IN ACTION BY FRIENDLY FIRE. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ESCAPED THE ATTACK. How’s my spin today?
Well see, there’s the problem. The Church of Christ is so fundamentalist they make Southern Baptists look like Unitarians. The United Church of Christ is a.k.a. “Unitarians Considering Christ.”
Apparently, even God gets mixed up sometimes.
That’s why – just to help keep the players, er, straight – the CofC should be come the DCC
to distinguish the Divisive CofC from the United Church of Christ…
also their cookies taste like cardboard. Coffee’s weak too. Really.
or maybe the denominations could all get “bob” names – that would clear things up.
Thank you, John Thomas!
This is great news, PD. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Very good news. Thank you, Rev.Thomas! PD, keep us informed.