SIMCOE PRESBYTERY
The United Church of Canada

 Statement on  Marriage: Opposite and Same Sex

Presented to Presbytery Tuesday, 18 May 2004
 

1. Introductory Statement

Taking into account statements made by the General Council of The United Church of Canada on marriage, the legislation of the Government of Canada, plus each of the Provinces and Territories, both on privacy and human rights, each Pastoral Charge and/or Congregation will determine its position on marriage between opposite and same sex couples who wish to enter into the Ordinance of Marriage. Simcoe Presbytery supports the covenanted ordinance of marriage between to adults who choose to enter into this relationship based on mutual love.
 
2. Statements of The United Church of Canada

According to the 27th General Council of 1977, The United Church of Canada affirms that the final responsibility of the Marriage Service and all matters related to the conduct of weddings rests with the Minister and the local church.

According to the 30th General Council of 1984, The United Church of Canada affirmed that marriage is a gift of God through which Christians make a covenant with one another and with God.

According to 30th General Council of 1984, The United Church of Canada affirms our acceptance of all human beings as persons made in the image of God regardless of their sexual orientation.

According to the 32nd General Council of 1988, The United Church of Canada affirmed that all “life-long” relationships need to be faithful, responsible, just, loving, health-giving, healing and sustaining of community and self.


According to the 37th General Council of 2000, The United Church of Canada:
a)overturned a policy that had been on the books since 1960 which states that homosexuality is a sin, and affirmed that human sexual orientations and gender identities (ie. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transexual, intersexual and heterosexual) are gifts from God, calling them “a part of the marvellous diversity of creation.

b)adopted a policy to affirm and work toward the civil recognition of same sex partnerships.

According to the 39th General Council of 2003, The United Church of Canada resolved to call upon the government of Canada to recognize same sex marriage in the marriage legislation.

3 The Ontario Human Rights Code

According to the Ontario Human Rights Code: Discrimination means unfair treatment of your race, sex, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, marital status, same sex partner status, sexual orientation, age, disability, citizenship, family status or religion.
  You have the right to be free from discrimination and harassment in shops, restaurants, transit, hospitals, schools, insurance, housing, employment, membership in unions or vocational associations.
  Harassment is a form of discrimination. It includes behaviour or comments that put you down or that insult or offend you based on race, sex, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, marital status, same sex partner status, sexual orientation, age, disability, citizenship, family status, or religion.
  If a person says something to you that the person knows, or ought to know, is unwelcome or makes you feel uncomfortable because it is discriminatory, this is harassment.

4. Statement of Simcoe Presbytery

a.Underlying principle:
“In all our decisions, we believe that the integrity of love takes precedence over purity of dogma”.      - William Sloan Coffin

b.Covenant between two Adults
Simcoe Presbytery supports the Ordinance of Marriage as a covenanted relationship between two adults based on love.
  Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.     1 John 4:7,8

c.Marriage Preparation Course
Simcoe Presbytery support will be upheld through offering marriage preparation courses to respective couples in advance of the worship service of marriage. Such courses shall be conducted/supervised by a trained and competent leader, approved by Presbytery. A budget will be established to cover the cost of leadership, offset somewhat by a small charge to the couple. ($10?)

5.Basic statement for the Pastoral Charge

 a.  Each congregation has the responsibility to determine if the ordinance of marriage will be celebrated in its church. This decision includes where the wedding will take place, either in the sanctuary only, or in the sanctuary plus outside the walls of the physical church building, including garden weddings, weddings on cruise boats, or other physical locations beyond the church structure.

b.Each Pastoral Charge is responsible to determine a policy of pre-marriage interview,by the intended officiant, with both parties present, prior to the wedding ceremony.(Since it is not legal to ask anyone their sexual orientation, seeing the couple together will provide the necessary information).

c.Given the strong and diverse feelings and beliefs about same sex marriage, clergywho in good conscience choose not to officiate at such a wedding, her/his decisionis to be respected. Such clergy have an obligation to refer the couple to another clergy who is willing to officiate. Further, should a congregation develop a policyforbidding same sex marriage in the church, their policy is to be respected.

MOTION:  Moved by Arch McCurdy, seconded by Carol McPherson that
                 Simcoe Presbytery of The United Church of Canada:

a.Adopt the Statement on Marriage: Opposite and Same Sex ;

b.Forward a copy of the Statement to the Official Board/ Church Council of the Pastoral Charges of Simcoe Presbytery.

c.   Forward a copy to the Executive Secretary of Toronto Conference.


ADDENDUM
Resources:
1.Marriage in the United Church of Canada.
2. Of Love and Justice: Toward the civil recognition of same sex marriage.
3.Passion and Freedom  A new resource to support couples throughout their relationship
4.Spirit Connection  August 17, 2003  An excerpt from 38th General Council
5.Spirit Connection  May 3, 2004  “First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage?

Prepared by the Church and Society Committee of Simcoe Presbytery.
Presented to and amended by the Executive of Presbytery, April 7, 2004.
Presented to Presbytery as “Notice of Motion” April 20, 2004
Presented to Presbytery for its action May 18,2004.
Approved by a two thirds majority of Presbytery 18 May 2004, as amended