|
Author
|
Topic: D.C. Church Authorizes Same-Sex Unions
|
njclary
unregistered
|
posted
This is the same denomination who decided, that because a very close friend of mine lost his sight, He could no longer be a pastor in their denomination, and released him from the church he was pastoring.
This does'nt surprise me.
IT"S ALL ABOUT MONEY
IP: Logged | 
|
|
Kindgo
Advanced Member
Member # 2
|
posted
D.C. Church Authorizes Same-Sex Unions ![[fie]](graemlins/fie.gif)
By Caryle Murphy and Bill Broadway
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, December 10, 2002; Page B01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...2-2002Dec9.html
National City Christian Church, a prominent mainline congregation in Northwest Washington, has decided to allow same-sex weddings in its sanctuary. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
The unanimous decision on Saturday by its board of elders places the 159-year-old congregation, where U.S. presidents James A. Garfield and Lyndon B. Johnson once worshiped, among a small number of D.C. area churches that permit such services, often called "covenant ceremonies."
"It was a really special moment," said the Rev. Alvin O. Jackson, senior pastor of the 600-member church, describing how 20 elders at Saturday's meeting agreed to allow him to perform such ceremonies. "There was no heated discussion." ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
The move by National City, which belongs to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, was welcomed by gay rights activists.
"We think this is a tremendously bold move that recognizes the reality of gay families," said Wayne Besen, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based gay and lesbian advocacy group. "It's something that's rare, but it's increasing."
Some downtown D.C. pastors also were supportive.
"I'm thankful to God that NCC has made that decision," said the Rev. Robert Holum, pastor of Luther Place Memorial Church in Washington. "I think it will be good for our community, which has many same-sex couples. . . .
People need the support of the community to live in relationships of fidelity."
But other Christian groups disapproved. "It's just a sign of the decay and the demise of this church," said the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition and a Presbyterian minister.
"Because what is a church if it isn't a biblical church, a church that reflects and honors the premises of the Bible, which is the creation story of one man and one woman?"
Sheldon, whose national coalition represents 43,000 churches, said that National City had "left behind Christianity and the Bible."
Most major Christian and Jewish denominations have debated whether ministers and rabbis should be allowed to officiate at same-sex unions, which are similar to wedding ceremonies but are not legally binding in any state but Vermont.
The issue has created deep divisions in those denominations, and only a few, including Reform Judaism, have permitted their clergy to conduct the ceremonies. Yet individual clerics, among them Episcopal, United Methodist and Presbyterian ministers and Conservative Jewish rabbis, have performed the unions anyway.
Locally, Metropolitan Community Church in Northwest Washington, which is part of a predominantly gay and lesbian denomination, allows the ceremonies. But most other denominations -- even ones generally welcoming of gay congregants -- do not.
The Rev. Dean Snyder, pastor of Foundry United Methodist Church in Northwest Washington, which has been open to gay members, said the United Methodist denomination "reaffirmed and strengthened" its rule against the services two years ago.
Jackson said he does not anticipate a negative reaction from his Indianapolis-headquartered denomination because each of its congregations is autonomous. "It's a very traditional, mainline denomination, so there are some people who will be upset and denounce me and denounce the church," he said. "But there won't be any repercussions from the hierarchy."
Jackson said his church began discussing "the inclusion of gay persons in the life of the church" about two years ago. Six months ago, the congregation decided to openly welcome gay and lesbian congregants.
Recently, he was approached by a gay couple who were planning to adopt a child and wanted him to officiate at their covenant ceremony. When he told the elders about the men's request on Saturday, they agreed to allow the ceremony after only a brief discussion, he said.
The couple, Jackson said, are planning a June ceremony.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
--------------------
God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
