On Monday, July 4, on the recommendation of its president, Reverend John H. Thomas, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, meeting in Atlanta, passed a resolution endorsing the full religious and civil marriage equality of same-sex couples. (The resolution is available at: www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/gs25-7.pdf.) The United Church of Christ, which evolved from congregational churches founded by the Pilgrims and German immigrant and African-American communities, is a denomination of 1.3 million members.
The following is a statement of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Religious Leadership Roundtable:
‘The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Religious Leadership Roundtable celebrates with our partners in the United Church of Christ the passage of a resolution endorsing full religious and civil marriage equality for same-sex couples. In making this bold statement for the full inclusion of all its members in the life and ministry of the church and in the fabric of society, the denomination continues its historic place of leadership for the cause of equality. For more than 30 years, the United Church of Christ (UCC) has provided a coherent, powerful and prophetic voice for the millions of Americans from across the spectrum of faith traditions that support the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. It has challenged those who wrap their homophobia in the guise of ‘deeply held religious belief’ to embrace a more just, honest, and compassionate faith. Through today’s resolution, we see that ‘God is, indeed, still speaking’ through the United Church of Christ.
‘The Roundtable expresses profound appreciation to UCC general minister and president, John H. Thomas, and Roundtable steering committee members Reverend Rebecca Voelkel and Reverend Mike Shuenemeyer, for the visionary leadership they have provided during the Atlanta General Synod.’