Sunday, March 19, 2006

Equality for All

Mark Ward, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, today announced that he will sign no more marriage papers until the rites are open to all, including same-sex unions.

Ward's announcement was met with a standing ovation and many tears from his congregation.

He follows in the footsteps of Joe Hoffman, minister of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, who made a similar decision a few weeks ago.

Thank you, Mark, for standing tall and firm in your beliefs.

5 comments:

jay said...

Also of note is that a certain minister of a local spiritual community is being investigated by his ordaining denomination for performing same-sex marriages. He has said that he is willing to face defrocking rather than "deflocking." I don't want this in the public eye yet, so those of you who see me regularly can ask me in person and I'll tell ya a bit about it.

Good on Mark Ward.

Gordon Smith said...

Any response from Dr. Runion's IBOM?

Jim Jenkins said...

Thanks Edgy, you beat me to it. What a sermon and what a moment. I nearly fell out of my pew.

Edgy Mama said...

Jim,
I'm sure you could say something eloquent about the moment. After all, I wasn't even there. I got the news from Enviro-spouse.

Jim Jenkins said...

Actually, eloquence isn't within my reach today. That's why I was glad to see you post this. I did invite Mark to guest blog on this, since we heard a great deal from the Baptists last week. If I hear back I'll post his words.