Are We Listening?

If the pending UCC vote wasn’t exciting enough news, the following story came off of www.365gay.com. It seems the United Kingdom Methodist Church has voted to allow their churches to PERFORM ceremonies for gay couples. Keep your eyes and ears open because good things are happening!

UK Methodists To Perform Gay Union Blessings
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: June 30, 2005 8:00 pm ET

(Washington) The Methodist Church has become the first major denomination in the UK to endorse same-sex unions. Leaders of the church in an historic vote agreed to allow ministers to perform blessing ceremonies for gay couples.

Britain's civil unions registry begins in December.

Speakers at the Church's annual meeting almost unanimously voiced their approval of the plan. Only one speaker cited Biblical passages condemning homosexuality.

The delegates to the meeting voted to authorize the Faith and Order Committee to develop a liturgy and advise ministers on how to conduct the ceremony.

The chair of the Committee, Rev Jonathan Kerry, said that the service would be available in the fall - in plenty of time for the first civil unions.

But, Kerry said that the service will not approximate a wedding ceremony, even though he conceded that many people would see it that way.

There are 300,000 Methodists in Britain, making it the country's third largest denomination.

The decision to bless gay unions is in stark contrast to the Anglican Church which is deeply divided over the role of gays.

The largest Methodist denomination in the United States - the United Methodist Church - opposes same-sex unions and forbids non celibate gay clergy.

Meanwhile, the United Church of Christ will vote on a same-sex unions motion this weekend.
Earlier this week the denomination's leader announced his support for gay unions.
The 1.3 million-member United Church of Christ has a history of supporting gays in its denomination, dating to 1972, when it ordained the first openly gay minister and established a gay caucus.

©365Gay.com 2005