Marriage Equality Ministry Team
News from the Marriage Equality Ministry Team which supports the fundamental right of each person to marry the person they love.
Marriage Equality: Supreme Court Decision Action
May 24, 2009
On Sunday, May 24, immediately after the service, over 50 people gathered for prayer around the communion table in the chancel.
There will be a prayer service at Grace Cathedral (1100 California Street San Francisco) on Monday, May 25 from 7:00-8:30 pm. This will be an excellent time for supporters of Marriage Equality to have their voices heard.
On Tuesday, May 26, 150 people, including 30 clergy, sat down at the intersection of Grove and Van Ness Streets in San Francisco to protest the CA Supreme Court’s decision on Proposition 8. FCCB members Margie Groeninger, Maura Tucker, Ali Beck and Adam Blons were present as witnesses. Traffic was stopped for over an hour before the group was cited by police. Several UCC ministers and faculty and staff from Pacific School of Religion were involved in the civil disobedience.
An East Bay Rally in response to the court ruling will take place on Thursday, June 4. Begin by gathering at 6:30 pm at the 12th Street BART station (bring signs, pictures of your family, clergy are invited to wear liturgical robes). The group will then walk to to Lake Merritt United Methodist Church at 1330 Lakeshore Ave for a service of prayer and music on the front steps of Lake Merritt Church in celebration or in lament (or depending on the outcome it could be both!) at 7:30 pm.
We will also be responding to the decision in the worship service on Sunday, May 31.
Prop 8 Meeting with UCC National Staff
March 4, 2008
On Wednesday, March 4, members of FCCB and the Northern California Nevada Conference are invited to meet with Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, a member of the UCC national staff who works on issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Since FCCB took such an active role in the No on Prop 8 campaign, he would like to meet with any interested members of the congregation and others from the Conference to evaluate and strategize about the role of the UCC in efforts to gain marriage equality. The conversation will take place in Durant House Main from noon–3 pm. Come for all or part of the time. A light lunch will be served ($5 donation requested.)
On Thursday, March 5, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the Prop 8 case. The Northern California Nevada Conference along with other faith organizations have filed a “friend of the court” (Amicus Curiae) brief to support the invalidation of Prop 8. Vigils will be held in several locations on Wednesday evening, March 4. Watch for more details.
No On 8 Interfaith Celebration Nov. 1
November 1, 2008
On Saturday, November 1 faith communities gathered for a No on 8 Interfaith Celebration at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco. This celebration included an appearance by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome, a powerful sermon by Rev. Dorsey Blake, and musical performances, including the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Rev. Mark Wilson, who has led the First Congregational Gospel Choir provided musical leadership throughout the service. About 30 married couples, both gay and straight streamed up to the chancel to renew their marriage promises. Several UCC clergy from around the Northern California Nevada Conference took part in the service, including our Conference Minister Rev. Mary Susan Gast.
Following the service, a Get Out the Vote and Visibility Actions training was also held at Glide.
Download a flyer to share with friends that includes directions to Glide Memorial.
First Congregational Celebrates Weddings of Same-Gender Couples
October 19, 2008
On October 19, 2008, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, United Church of Christ, celebrated the weddings of same-gender couples who have been able to marry since it became legal in the state of California. Eighteen couples took part in the blessing, some who are members of the congregation and others from the larger community. A widespread invitation had gone out to welcome couples to come and have their weddings blessed by a faith community, regardless of their denomination or faith tradition.
The couples stood in the chancel to receive red roses and introduced themselves. They were greeted with sustained applause and a standing ovation. Then they moved down the center aisle into the middle of the congregation to receive a blessing from the whole group led by Senior Minister Patricia de Jong.
The Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus sang several songs during the service and Music Director Larry Marietta and pianist Amy Hiestand played several familiar wedding pieces during the prelude and postlude. Minister of Art and Communication Phil Porter joined Pat for a humorous recounting of the story of the wedding at Cana. Listen to this scriptual enactment of Jesus’s first miracle. Then they shared their reflections on marriage, weddings, and the new ability of same-gender couples to be legally married. Listen to Pat and Phil’s sermon. Pat has been doing same-gender weddings since 1984, but she spoke of her feelings when she signed her first marriage certificate for a gay couple. “It wasn’t until the very moment that they handed me the piece of paper to sign my name that I realized that it was an amazing moment of transformation.” Phil reflected on the long lines of couples that came to City Hall when San Francisco first started issuing marriage certificates. “It is such a deep desire within us to have our relationships honored in community. Why shouldn’t that opportunity be available to all of God’s children?&rdqou;
A three-tiered wedding cake with orange and yellow flowers was served after the service.
First Congregational Church also voted in a congregational meeting in September to oppose Proposition 8, which would amend the constitution to make marriage between same-sex couples illegal. Under the direction of the congregation’s Marriage Equality Ministry Team phone banks have been organized and No on Prop 8 materials have been distributed.
First Congregational Votes “No on Prop 8”
September 14, 2008
Who’s holding the signs? Click here to take a closer look at the postcard. And don’t forget to spread the cards around to your friends and neighbors!
On Sunday, September 14, “Welcoming Sunday”, First Congregational Church of Berkeley voted unanimously as a congregation to oppose Prop 8. Proposition 8 is a voter initiative on the November ballot that would eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. About 200 people remained after the Sunday morning service to take part in this historic vote. It was the first time the congregation had voted to take a specific stand on a ballot issue.
As the meeting began, Moderator Janet Eadie read the church’s Open and Affirming Statement which was adopted by the congregation in 1995. There was a wide spread belief that any other response to Prop 8 would be inconsistent with this statement. At it’s most recent meeting, the Church Council had voted unanimously to bring this issue before the congregation.
Before he read the resolution, Moderator-Elect Milton Fujii referred to his personal reaction to the ballot measure, comparing it to past laws banning marriage between members of different racial groups. He knew, he said, that if any such law were proposed today that the church would take a stand, ensuring the right of he and his wife to be married.
Alison Beck, who coordinates the Marriage Equality Ministry Team, shared background about Prop 8 and the wide ranging effect of the measure if it were to pass: “The rights of our community, the rights of the families, couples, and individuals sitting right here in this room today, are on the line. The initiative would invalidate our marriages, performed by our ministers and sanctioned by our church. This is not somebody else’s battle, or somebody else’s issue—it is ours.” Alison and her partner Huong Nguyen were legally married this summer. After the vote, their young sons Theryn and Rowan came up to give their mother a big hug.
Maura Tucker, another leader of the Marriage Equality Team assured the congregation that it was well within the legal rights of the church to take a stand on an issue such as this without compromising the church’s not-for-profit standing. She felt it particularly important for Christian churches to speak out: “As I have spoken with people in other arenas beyond FCCB, I am painfully aware that the very word ‘Christian’ has become associated with those who have promoted this proposition and who are outspokenly against the right of gay and lesbian people to marry. The rhetoric is harsh and painful: ‘A confrontation between light and darkness will happen this November. A battle to save the very sanctity of marriage. To the victor goes the soul of the nation.’”
Still, it was a departure for the congregation, which places a high value on individual expression and freedom of thought, to take such a vote. That the vote was unanimous was a powerful statement of the congregation’s shared commitment. Many members were moved to tears by the vote, including Senior Minister Patricia de Jong, who had spoken passionately about the issue in her sermon that morning.
The Marriage Equality Team has swelled from 8 to 80 members over the last few weeks, and the team has organized phone banks, and opportunities to speak out and donate to the No on 8 campaign. After the service, many members were carrying home “No on Prop 8” lawn signs, as well as other signs and stickers.
Support for Marriage Equality at First Congregtional
August 28, 2008
First Congregational Church of Berkeley supports the fundamental right of each person to marry the person they love, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or heterosexual. FCCB formed a Marriage Equality Ministry Team to celebrate and support marriage equality, and to preserve the freedom to marry for all people. We believe that the freedom to marry is fundamental, like the freedoms of religion and speech, and that freedom must be protected. We oppose Proposition 8, which would amend California law to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation by denying the right to marry for same-gender couples.
Why Vote No on Proposition 8?
Proposition 8 is a voter initiative on the November ballot which would amend the California Constitution to prohibit marriage for LGBT couples. The initiative requires only a simple majority to amend the Constitution. It is being bankrolled by several anti-gay groups and churches, with significant funds coming from out-of-state groups.
Marriage is an institution that conveys dignity and respect to the lifelong commitment of any couple. Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) couples, including many in our congregation, have been legally married since June 17 of this year. Many of these couples have waited decades for this moment, when their relationships can be fully recognized under the law. The government should not interfere with couples who wish to take on the rights and responsibilities of marriage.
Equal protection under the law is the foundation of American society. The California Constitution protects everyone equally—that’s what it’s for. The law guarantees the same rights to all Californians, including the fundamental right to marry. It is wrong to vote on people’s fundamental rights, like the freedom of religion, or speech, or the freedom to marry. It is wrong to single out one group for unfair treatment under the law.
First Congregational Members Quick to Get Marriage License
First Congregational members Huong Nguyen and Alison Beck picked up their marriage license “as soon as they could”. Their photo was in the June 18 San Francisco Chronicle along with others who showed up to take this step toward getting married as soon as it was legal in the state of California.
Alison describes the scene this way: “It was an amazing event, with couples saying vows around every corner, the Unitarians out front with cupcakes, people who just showed up with supportive signs, flags, balloons, flowers…the building was full of love.” They plan a church ceremony in August with Senior Minister Patricia de Jong officiating.
Get Involved
To get involved or join the Marriage Equality Ministry Team, e-mail marriageequality@fccb.org or call the church office at 510/848-3696.
Members and friends of First Congregational Church of Berkeley are actively working to preserve the freedom to marry and defeat Proposition 8, which would single out lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people for unfair treatment by denying marriage for same-gender couples. If Proposition 8 passes, it would be a huge step backward in the movement for equality, and a devastating blow for many families here at FCCB. Substantial gains of the past decade would be erased, and LGBT Californians would once again face the stigma of second-class citizenship, now enshrined in the highest law of the state.
This is the moment when we need our allies to stand up and be counted, to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with us to defeat the forces of ignorance and fear. This is your opportunity to be part of history. What can you do?
- Vow to Vote No on Prop 8 in November. More about No on Prop 8.
- Volunteer to defeat Prop 8. We need people right now to staff phone banks, distribute information, and help with the campaign. For more information, please e-mail marriageequality@fccb.org or call the church office at 510/848-3696.
- Donate to the campaign to defeat Prop 8. Click here to donate online. Imagine for a moment what equality is worth to you, your family, your friends, and the many families who grace our community at FCCB. Now is the time to give what you can to make that dream a reality. Donate today online or at our Marriage Equality Ministry Table in the Large Assembly after worship every Sunday.
- Spread the Word—No on Prop 8! Commit to speaking to at least three people between now and November who may not understand this initiative and what’s at stake. Make it clear that people should not be singled out for unfair treatment under the laws of our state. Stop by the Marriage Equality Ministry Team table after church in the Large Assembly to pick up information and talking points, and vow to use your voice for equality! If you are part of a group (religious, social, civic, or professional organization, or other group) that would be willing to have a discussion on the freedom to marry, please contact marriageequality@fccb.org to arrange for speakers and materials—we’ll gladly come to you and meet you wherever you are in the conversation.
Want to Get Married?
First Congregational Church of Berkeley welcomes all couples who wish to marry, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or heterosexual. Our ministers have performed several weddings for same-gender couples over the past decade, and are thrilled now to be able to make those unions legal. Please contact the church office at 510/848-3696 or info@fccb.org for more information and to set up a meeting with one of our ministers.
More about FCCB’s Position on Support for the LGBT Community
First Congregational supports the fundamental right of each person to marry the person they love, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), or heterosexual. This position is a natural outgrowth of our Open and Affirming Statement.
Our church community includes many LGBT families, couples, and individuals. They are a vital part of our church, as members and also serving as deacons, council members, ministry team leaders, and ministers. We stand in solidarity with all members of our community in opposing Proposition 8, which would single out LGBT individuals for unfair treatment based on their sexual orientation. The California Constitution protects everyone equally—it protects the fundamental rights of every citizen. The freedom of LGBT couples to marry is about fairness and equality.
Our Denomination’s Position on Marriage Equality
The United Church of Christ is perhaps the only Christian denomination to directly support marriage equality (The Unitarian Universalist Association has also done so). In 2005, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ adopted a resolution stating in part:
“The United Church of Christ affirms equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and declares that the government should not interfere with couples regardless of gender who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities and commitment of legally recognized marriage.”