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First major Christian denomination to do so.
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050718/NEWS/50718001/1001
And yes, that is indeed the church I attend in the photo.
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050718/NEWS/50718001/1001
Esther Urban and June Kinder, both senior citizens, greeted the United Church of Christs recent vote supporting equal marriage rights for same-sex couples with heartfelt emotion.
For Kinder, it was a day of rejoicing: I think its the right time, the Sioux Falls woman said.
But for Urban, it was a day of sadness.
Its a step too far, said Urban, of Aberdeen. I love (the UCC), but I think this is a very wrong decision.
The decision makes the UCC the first major religious denomination to endorse same-sex marriage.
In the two weeks since the churchs General Synod endorsed same-sex marriage, calling it an issue of civil rights, the denominations 1.3 million members, its churches and other religious leaders nationwide have begun coming to grips with what it means for them.
Some in the UCC fear departure of members, but others point to increased interest in the denomination since a television campaign stressed its openness. Two networks refused to air the commercials, which depicted a gay couple.
Churches have long included gay and lesbian parishioners, but political and social forces in recent years have forced religious leaders to address the practical questions of marriage and service.
The UCC is known for deep roots in societal changes it was first to ordain a black pastor, a woman pastor and an openly gay pastor.
Its a denomination in which church autonomy is respected, and the resolution acknowledges this issue might be divisive.
To some extent, it already has been, not only among members but with others expressing their anger by damaging church buildings.
Were getting a fairly good balance of calls, says the Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, the UCCs minister for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender concerns in Cleveland. One way to characterize them is the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Rev. Gene Miller, the UCCs conference minister in South Dakota, said the nonbinding resolution passed July 4 respects the UCCs tradition of independent churches.
Really, what the resolution calls for more than anything is study and dialogue, he said. It doesnt call on anyone to do gay marriages or not to do gay marriages. The crux is, we think its OK, we realize you may not think its OK, so please, please study it and have dialogue.
Speaking out
In South Dakota, among the 92 UCC churches, that dialogue has begun.
Lauri Meyers, 37, attended the General Synod in Atlanta as a voting delegate. She voted in favor of the resolution.
I consider it to be a justice issue, she said. We needed to take that step that other people werent ready to take yet.
Other major denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church (U.S.A.) and the United Methodist Church have struggled in recent years with issues of human sexuality, including the ordination of openly gay pastors.
Both the religious and legislative arenas are engaged in the debate over same-gender marriages. Only Massachusetts permits civil unions for same-sex couples.
The resolution also asks churches to consider supporting legislation granting equal marriage rights to same-gender couples and to work against laws banning gay marriage.
Since South Dakota does not permit such unions, Bob Masters isnt concerned about the UCC resolution.
I have more problems with the war in Iraq than I have with this, said Masters, 63, of Aberdeen.
Its not an issue because its not legal. When it becomes legal, then Ill decide what I think about it.
Urban, a 45-year UCC member, wont wait for that.
As a whole, weve become far too tolerant in accepting all these new ideas, and some do not follow the principles of Bible teaching at all, she said. I heard a minister one time say tolerance is the last vestige of a depraved society, and Im beginning to think theres truth in that.
Urban can accept the UCCs welcome of gay members, she said, but she cant compromise her belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Urban and Masters are members of the Rev. Rick Riedels congregation, Plymouth Congregational Church in Aberdeen.
He, too, points out that since it is illegal to perform same-sex marriages in South Dakota, the resolution changes nothing. However, Riedel is comfortable with the national churchs action.
I am a believer in the extravagant welcome that the United Church of Christ has issued to all people, so I feel comfortable with where the church is leaning in that situation, he said.
Began in 1957
The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957 when the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches joined. Those denominations, in turn, were rooted in earlier traditions, most noticeably the Congregational Church, which descended from the Puritans and Pilgrims of 17th century New England.
In the early 1970s, the UCC became the first major Christian church to ordain an openly gay minister. It declared itself to be open and affirming of homosexuals two decades ago.
Riedel serves as a Web deacon, answering e-mails to the UCC Internet site.
In the 10 days after the resolution, he answered about 15 e-mails, most from people angry about the decision.
A few churches have suffered in the aftermath. Graffiti on a UCC church in Virginia, also damaged by fire, called members sinners. Riedel said an Urbandale, Iowa, church was vandalized with a truckload of rabbit manure.
Miller supervises 92 UCC churches in South Dakota with a membership of about 13,000 people. He only has heard from one individual each in six separate churches; not all responses were negative.
The South Dakota UCC conference, which met earlier this summer, did not discuss the issue, Miller said.
The Southern California-Nevada Conference submitted the original resolution at General Synod. Miller thinks it would not have passed without changes acknowledging dissenting views. The final resolution received about 80 percent of the votes.
Start a dialogue
On July 10, the first Sunday after the resolution passed, the Rev. Jean Morrow addressed the topic at Crestwood United Church of Christ. She supports the resolution, calling it a civil-rights issue, but Morrow knows not everyone in her congregation feels that way.
A couple of people approached me after worship to remind me that not everyone in our congregation is where I am, Morrow said.
We need to keep the conversation going. Through dialogue, debate, disagreement, we commit to loving one another.
To have a mainline Protestant denomination take the action it did will raise the level of conversation in and out of the church, among members and nonmembers, Morrow said.
The Rev. Kathryn Timpany of First Congregational Church will organize formal conversations to talk about marriage in general, as urged by the resolution. She said she has had people on both sides approach her.
Its a leadership issue for me, Timpany said. How do we continue to listen to one another respectfully across the divide and not push apart?
Some members of her congregation have faced the disapproval of friends and have asked her how to deal with that, she said.
Timpany knows some UCC members probably will leave the church over the issue. But the history of the Christian church has been one of continually dividing and reuniting, she said.
There is nothing static about the faith, from my point of view, she said. At the same time, for all of us, this is emotionally difficult, and we should be tender with one another as we continue to discern Gods will for us.
Change of heart
Meyers said those who voted at General Synod were respectful of the other side, although a delegation that opposed the resolution left and didnt return for later votes.
Since her return, shes only heard one negative remark, when someone standing near her in church made a comment under their breath.
Meyers understands the reluctance to accept same-gender marriage, since she once felt it, too.
I havent been for gay marriage only about the last year and a half, said Meyers, an office manager in Sioux Falls.
It was her service on the UCC executive council, where she became friends with people whose backgrounds differed from her own, that first made her prayerfully consider the issue, she said.
And yes, that is indeed the church I attend in the photo.
I thought being tolerant was one of the main message of Christ.
