April 12, 2004
Third Presbyterian Church of Rochester, New York, founded
in 1827, is a
large, metropolitan church. Our congregation has a tradition
of
leadership on religious, social and moral issues both in the
community
and in the wider church. We seek to be guided by the life
and teachings
of Jesus Christ, and to embody God's love in our fellowship
and work. We
are a spiritually and socially active church that claims the
heritage of
Charles Finney, the early 19th century abolitionist and evangelist
whose
Great Awakening preaching at Third Presbyterian Church helped
form our
congregation. Nurtured by the Holy Spirit, we are challenged
to seek
justice and reconciliation in the world with our hands and
our hearts.
In 1987, Third Presbyterian Church joined other congregations
in New
York state and around the country, as a More Light congregation,
welcoming all into full participation in the life and ministry
of the
congregation, regardless of sexual orientation or any other
human
condition. Since 1995, Third Presbyterian Church has celebrated
covenantal ceremonies between same gender individuals. Therefore
we
believe that the state, by refusing to sanction the expressed
commitment
of gay and lesbian couples, is limiting our religious freedom
and is
establishing a particular religious viewpoint that runs counter
to our
beliefs. For this reason, the Session of Third Presbyterian
Church voted
on April 12, 2004, to support this amicus curiae brief. Protecting
the
freedom of minorities, blessing people's relationships, and
encouraging
the sanctity of marriage is something to which we are very
committed.
We believe that the freedom to marry, for lesbian, gay, bisexual
and
transgender persons, in the same manner that heterosexual
couples do,
will help us fulfill our mission.
Rev Dr John Wilkinson
Pastor and Moderator of Session
Third Presbyterian Church
4 Meigs St
Rochester, NY 14607
585-271-6513
jwilkinson@thirdpresbyterian.org
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