February, 2004

Dear Colleague in Ministry:

In August, 2003 the General Council called upon the federal government to proceed with civil marriage legislation for both opposite and same-sex couples. Under such legislation both straight and gay couples will be treated equally. At the moment only British Columbia and Ontario give civil recognition to these marriages. In these provinces, some United Church congregations are beginning to record the services of same-sex couples in their marriage registers and forwarding these registrations to their provincial government for civil recognition.

We are writing to you today to express our gratitude and affirm your actions – both pastorally and in civil actions - towards making equal marriage a reality across Canada. We would also like to let you know once again that The United Church of Canada is working together with Canadians for Equal Marriage, a coalition of supporters of marriage equality. On the reverse side of this letter is a guide to taking action. Please post this guide on your church bulletin board.

In 1988, the General Council affirmed that all life-long relationships need to be faithful, responsible, just, loving, health giving, healing, and sustaining of community and self. These standards apply to both heterosexual and homosexual couples as the United Church has come to recognize that gay and lesbian members want to make the same life-long commitments that heterosexual couples make, and to make their solemn vows with communities of faith who will support them in their commitments.

The United Church is a part of the Christian tradition that believes that decisions regarding who shall be married are best made locally. Congregations who wish to study the United Church’s understanding of marriage and the inclusion of gays and lesbians can use the new resource, Of Love and Justice: Toward the Civil Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage. The church urges congregations to help all couples to prepare for a life together and has recently made available a new resource to assist ministers in this process, Passion and Freedom: A Resource for Ministers and Leaders Supporting the Lives of Couples.

Some congregations will want to marry same-sex couples and others will not. Outside of British Columbia and Ontario, congregations cannot exercise this choice. Once the equal marriage legislation passes, those congregations that don’t want to marry same-sex couples won’t have to and those that do can make that choice.

If your congregation or interested individuals wish to advocate for the civil recognition of equal marriages across Canada please contact your local MP or Laurie Arron of Canadians for Equal Marriage chapter today.

Sincerely yours,

Choice Okoro    
Human Rights and Right Relationships
On behalf of the Justice, Global & Ecumenical Relations Unit.