Understanding the Blessing of Relationships
Introduction
As a church that has, after study, prayer, and deliberation,
affirmed our intent to "actively seek more light on the inclusive
nature of the church, particularly as it relates to lesbian
women and gay men", we sense that we are growing in our understanding
of equitable and inclusive ministry as we are informed by
the experiences of and ministry with gay and lesbian Christians.
Through the Bible, we know that Jesus Christ calls us to
love both God and neighbor. The Book of Order states: "The
Biblical vision of doing justice calls for: ... supporting
people who seek the dignity, freedom, and respect that they
have been denied; ... redressing wrongs against individuals,
groups and peoples in the Church, in this nation, and in the
whole world." (W-7.4002) The church community is one place
where we develop and nurture the relationships of faithfulness
between God and people. When two people come together in life
and spirit and develop a primary, committed relationship,
the church is often asked to bless and celebrate the union
of their lives and spirits.
Marriage
For heterosexual couples, that celebration takes place in Christian
marriage. Marriage is defined in the Book of Order as a "civil
contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage
is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to
faithfully live out together before God their lives of discipleship.
In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is
made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed
and acknowledged by the community of faith." (W-4.9001) However,
as Bishop Spong notes: "The church does not in fact, marry
anyone. People marry each other. The state, not the church,
defines the nature of legal marriage. It does so by giving
to the married couples the right of joint property ownership"
and by providing the license through which the marriage is
registered.
Same-sex Holy Unions/ Covenantal Ceremonies
For same gender (gay or lesbian) couples, New York State refuses to
issue marriage licenses or to recognize equivalent legal rights or obligations.
Some same-gender couples create legal policy statements- 'domestic partnership
agreements', wills, powers of attorney, guardianship, etc.,- to duplicate
some of the benefits of legal marriage. Some benefits accorded to married
couples, e.g. Social Security benefits, income tax, and child custody,
can be granted only by state and Federal laws and licenses. Therefore,
it is inappropriate to refer to "marriage" for same gender couples.
Most Christian Protestant communities currently deny same gender couples
the opportunity to acknowledge their faithfulness to one another and
to celebrate the joining of their lives and spirits within the church.
However, this was not always the case. Recent research into early Christian
church liturgies by the late historian John E. Boswell of Yale University,
has uncovered Catholic and Orthodox liturgies for same-sex unions. These
ceremonies were performed throughout Christendom into modern times.
The Book of Order says "The Christian community provides nurture for
its members through all of life and life's transitions. ... The church
offers nurture to people assuming responsibilities in the world, assisting
them: ... with making wise commitments in personal relationships and
marriage." (W-6.2000-2002) "The Church recognizes transitions which
bring joy and sorrow in human life: ... households are established,
move to new locations, gain and lose members; people are empowered,
restored, make new commitments." (W-6.3010) The Book of Order provides
that the worship service is appropriate when people "make and renew
covenants". (W-2.6001[e.1]) Therefore, it is consistent with the Book
of Order to bless and celebrate same sex covenants with ceremonies in
the church.
Policy on Covenantal Ceremonies
The Session of Third Presbyterian Church approves the use of the sanctuary
and the chapel for the blessing and celebration of covenants between
people of the same gender, when the covenants are supported by the pastors
of this congregation.
This decision is made after careful reflection on the Directory for
Worship in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the action
by the 190th General Assembly in 1978, and our church's More Light Statement.
The Book of Order provides that "No persons shall be denied membership
because of race, ethnic origin, worldly condition, or any other reason
not related to profession of faith" (G-5.0103) and that "An active member
is entitled to all the rights and privileges of the Church". (G-5.0202)
The Book of Order recognizes that "There are special occasions and
transitions in the life of the congregations and the lives of its members
which are appropriately recognized in worship." (W-4.1000) Consistent
with this, Third Church adopted a Long Range Plan (1994) that states
"the service of worship should always be the keystone of the congregation's
life."
The Book of Order states "The Church offers nurture to people assuming
responsibility in the world, assisting them... with making wise commitments
in personal relationships and marriage" (W-6.2002e) It also provides
that "Governing bodies have the responsibility for authorizing worship
in special gatherings under their jurisdiction." (W-3.6201)
The 190th General Assembly in 1978 affirmed the inclusively of the
Church by adopting a Policy Statement declaring that "Persons who manifest
homosexual behavior must be treated with the profound respect and pastoral
tenderness due all people of God."
It should remain the right of ministers of the Word and Sacrament to
examine the commitment between individuals in their congregations who
are seeking covenantal ceremonies and to question the fidelity of their
relationships. It should remain the responsibility of our ministers,
as it always has been, to decide whether to participate in events celebrating
and blessing such relationships.
By approving the use of Third Presbyterian Church for covenantal ceremonies
the Session reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive church as set forth
in its More Light Statement adopted in 1987: We believe, with Paul,
that as Christians we are many members, yet one body in Christ and members
of one another. We affirm, as in the Book of Order, that the sole criterion
for membership in this church is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior. We warmly welcome all who are seeking God and/or
have found reconciliation to God and neighbors through Jesus Christ,
regardless of racial-ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation
or other human condition.
Resolution
It is with the Spirit of faithfulness to our calling as a servant people
of God, reconciling, redeeming, and always reforming, that we regard
as part of our ministry the celebration of covenantal ceremonies between
same gender individuals. In taking this action, the Session of Third
Presbyterian Church supports its ministers who conduct or participate
in such ceremonies. It also directs the Worship Committee to recast
and rename the current Wedding Policy to assure that the guidelines
on building usage clearly allow the use of the sanctuary and chapel
for marriage ceremonies and covenantal ceremonies that: (1) celebrate
faithful relationships of members and friends of the congregation and
(2) have the support of the pastors of this church.
Adopted by Unanimous Vote,
at its Regular Meeting,
April 14, 1995
Session of Third Presbyterian Church
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