No Opposite-Sex Weddings For Church Until Gay Marriages Approved

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/02/022006ncPastor.htm

The Rev. Joe Hoffman stood before his congregation at Ashville's First Congregational United Church of Christ on Sunday and announced he would not sign marriage certificates until same-ex couples receive marriage equality in North Carolina.

“When I sign that piece of paper for marriage, as an agent of the state, I give about 1,100 rights and privileges that gay and lesbian couples do not get,” Hoffman said.

“I believe in equal rights for all people. As a minister, I was participating in a system that was unjust.”

Hoffman said he would continue to conduct the religious portion of marriages but opposite-sex couples would have to find another authority, such as a justice of the peace, to sign the certificates making the marriages legal.

[northzax]

1. wow.

wonder how this went over? I mean it's Asheville, sure, but still, that's quite a stand to take. (and reasonable, I don't think Clergy should be signing marriage licenses, that's a function of the State, not the Church.)

[davidinalameda]

2. the UCC is very gay positive

they have been ordaining gays and lesbians for a while and blessing gay unions as well

[f-bush]

3. Good for him, that's great. Hope it shakes things up!!

[xchrom]

4. bravo!

:applause:

[libnnc]

5. here's a related article from the Asheville Citizen-Times

Pretty interesting stuff.

<snip>

Gay rights issues gaining traction locally
Debate over same-sex marriage, benefits part of national trend
by John Boyle, SENIOR WRITER
published February 21, 2006 6:00 am

ASHEVILLE — In a matter of weeks, this city of nearly 75,000 people has taken on gay rights issues being argued nationwide, such as same-sex marriages and workplace benefits for partners of gay employees.

Whether that amounts to trend or coincidence is another matter.

The Rev. Steve Runholt sees a movement taking place with events that include an Asheville pastor’s announcement Sunday that he would no longer perform civil marriages because he cannot do so for gay and lesbian couples. <snip>


http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS01/60220035/1001