I am so proud to be a member of Pilgrim and the United Church of Christ. The church is comprised of so many different societal groups. It doesn’t surprise me that they would be one of the first churches setting out to gain marriage equality for every committed couple in their congregation.
Clergy should be able to perform marriages or civil unions based on their congregation’s beliefs. If they are made to sign a state document that permits only heterosexuals couples to gain government benefits, it places them in a position of forced discrimination.
A marriage “license” is granted by the state and therefore only a state official should be authorized to sign it. Let our spiritual leaders focus on God’s love not governments laws.
Both church and government are continuously evolving. Let these two separate entities grow in the direction and time frame that they are comfortable with.
Andrea Green