Even with Amendment One written into their state constitution, North Carolinians haven’t let that stop them from taking a stand for same-sex couples.
A Winston-Salem-based United Methodist church has announced that it will stop performing straight weddings until same-sex marriage is legally recognized in North Carolina.
The Green Street United Methodist Church congregation.
The Green Street United Methodist Church released an official statement stating, “On the matter of same-sex marriage, Green Street UMC sees injustice in the legal position of state government and the theological position of our denomination. North Carolina prohibits same-sex marriage and all the rights and privileges marriage brings. The Leadership Council has asked that their ministers join others who refuse to sign any State marriage licenses until this right is granted to same- sex couples.”
Seeing that this proclamation goes against the United Methodist Church’s teachings, it’s expected to ruffle a few feathers within the denomination as same-sex marriage goes against the official book of laws and doctrines, which delegates voted against changing the long-contested language as recently as last May. But this amazing congregation is not letting that stop them.
While no marriage licenses will be signed, nor any vow exchanges made, the church does plan on holding “relationship blessings” until equality is recognized.
“This is just part of who we are as a church,” Katherine Skarbek, Green Street Leadership Council chair, told a local news outlet. “We’re a welcoming community. One of our phrases we like to use on Sunday mornings is all means all.”
