Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio

The following is the process Pilgrim Cong. UCC used to help educate the congregation on Refusing to Sign marriage licenses.

November: Pastors constructed a statement on refusing to sign marriage licenses.

Statement was presented to the Church Council for approval.

Church council approved the statement.

December: A Pastoral letter was sent to the congregation stating the Pastors’ statement and announcing an Educational question and answer session.

Question and answer session held after church.

Many informal conversations were held throughout December and January, as well as educational pieces in Newsletters and other publications at the church.

January: Pastors’ statement was presented to the church asking for approval and to make it policy at the Church that the pastors would not sign marriage licenses, nor would any marriage license be signed on church property.

The policy was passed and implemented.

February and March

The Church continued the education process through articles and conversations.

This process was very short for our congregation, due most in part to the church’s large social justice mission.