A Statement in Support of Marriage Equality by United Methodist Clergy Serving in the District of Columbia

On Wednesday, March 3, the District of Columbia government took the historic step of legalizing same-gender marriage. We welcome this new law. It helps overcome long-standing hurt and stigma suffered by gay and lesbian individuals and couples.

• It provides such couples legal rights before the law that are equal to all married people.
• It recognizes the moral dignity of committed gay and lesbian unions.
• It encourages and supports stability in gay and lesbian relationships.

We recognize, with great sorrow, that American churches in general, and The United Methodist Church in particular, have often done and said hurtful things to gay and lesbian people.

We believe that the same standards of sexual morality should be upheld for all people, and that all of us stand in need of the grace of God.

We celebrate the witness of loving commitment that brings two people - heterosexual or homosexual - together.

We are conscious of positions that The United Methodist Church has taken that are opposed to same-gender marriage, but we believe those aspects of church discipline are in conflict with the deeper emphasis of the church's Book of Discipline upon the gospel of grace and pastoral care for all of God's children. As ordained ministers of the church our commitment to that gospel must be primary.

We note, with appreciation, the willingness of the oldest United Methodist church of Washington, D.C., Dumbarton United Methodist Church, to provide wedding services equally to all who hold valid wedding licenses in the District of Columbia; and we support their prophetic stand and urge our denomination to embrace our historic commitment to theological diversity.

We join that congregation in the prayer that the hurt of gay and lesbian people may be healed, and that our church and our society would continue to celebrate the rich diversity of our great country.

As a witness of our support, we will be holding a service of worship on Sunday, March 28th at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC at 4 PM, and invite all people to be part of that celebration. The church is easily accessible by metro at Metro Center, Mt. Vernon, and Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stations, and underground parking is available.

Signatories to the above statement, to date(March 15, 2010):

Rev. Wm. D. Aldridge, Jr., Dumbarton UMC

Rev. Judith L. Birch, Dumbarton UMC

Rev. Peter DeGroote, Foundry UMC

Rev. Joe Eldridge, American University Chaplain

Rev. Malcolm Frazier, Howard University Chaplain

Rev. Kathryn J. Johnson, Methodist Federation for Social Action

Rev. Mary Kraus, Dumbarton UMC

Rev. Harry Kiely, Dumbarton UMC

Rev. Dee Lowman, Foundry UMC

Rev. Theresa Thames Lynch, Foundry UMC

Rev. Sandy Rector, Metropolitan Memorial UMC

Rev. Susan Morrison, Dumbarton UMC Bishop Emerita

Rev. Kate Murphey, Metropolitan Memorial UMC

Rev. Charlie Parker, Metropolitan Memorial UMC

Rev. Mark Schaefer, American University Chaplain

Rev. Jimmy Sherrod, Metropolitan Memorial UMC

Rev. Dean Snyder, Foundry UMC

Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Mount Vernon Place UMC

Rev. Tom Starnes, Dumbarton UMC

Rev. Mary Kay Totty, Dumbarton UMC

Rev. Dr. Phillip Wogaman, Dumbarton UMC