DOUGLASS BLVD. CHRISTIAN CHURCH VOTES FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND ENDS PRACTICE OF SIGNING MARRIAGE LICENSE

Louisville, Kentucky- On Sunday, April 17, the congregation of Douglass Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) unanimously voted to end the practice of signing marriage licenses because they give legal benefits to heterosexual couples that are not available to homosexual couples. Until the church's ministers may confer identical legal benefits on homosexual and heterosexual couples, they will perform only religious wedding ceremonies.

"As an Open and Affirming Community of Faith (a designation signifying DBCC's commitment to full acceptance of all people, regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation), our membership is committed to treating homosexuals and heterosexuals equally. Our congregation believes it is unfair to provide different services and benefits to heterosexual couples than we can provide to gay and lesbian couples," said associate minister Rev. Ryan Kemp-Pappan.

Senior minister Rev. Derek Penwell added, "Heterosexual couples enjoy a number of benefits that result from having state-sanctioned union. They may inherit property, adopt children together, visit one another in the hospital, and save thousands each year in taxes by filing as a couple. Ministers, as agents of the state, have the power to confer these benefits-and the imprimatur of normalcy-on heterosexual couples, but we do not have the honor to bestow these benefits on gay and lesbian couples."

"In our attempt to live out God's call to pursue justice for all, the Elders of the congregation joined the Pastors in witnessing to the right for gay and lesbian persons to God's blessing on their union and witnessing to the Commonwealth toward ending the refusal to recognize these unions," said Rev. Chuck Lewis, Chair of Elders with the church.

Douglass Boulevard Christian Church, founded in 1846, has historically been committed to the pursuit of justice for all people, offering leadership in trying to live out the message of love and hospitality embodied by Jesus. In 2008, Douglass Boulevard Christian Church voted to become an Open and Affirming Community of Faith.
Douglass Boulevard Christian Church is located at 2005 Douglass Boulevard in the Highlands near Douglass Loop.

Comments

[jonathan perrodin]

BRAVO! THREE CHEERS!

So glad to see you guys making a stand like this. Stand Tall.

[Rev. Derek Forbes]

Excellent. So nice to see this, Revs. Penwell and Kemp-Pappan. A model for us all. I am considering the same stance.

Thankful for your witness, and that on the congregation. Grace and peace to you all.

[john o'keefe]

nice - very cool. you are the first church i heard of doing this and that makes my heart sing. but there is one thing - you are making me do more work :) i am in final edits of my next book "Misfits; Who Are You Including" and now i have to go back and add you into one of the chapters - this rocks :)

[Rev. C.E. Bryant]

At last! A DOC church with courage!

[Nikole Williams]

As a person of faith and part of a congregation that has struggled within the ELCA (Abiding Peace Lutheran Church) for recognition of our Pastor (who is a partnered Lesbian) I am proud to call your congregation my brother's and sisters' in Christ. Thank you for taking a stand and speaking justice and equality in the fashion of Jesus.

[drdlpenwell]

Thank you all for your kind words of support. We cannot tell you how much it means to us to hear from you. Blessings to you!

[Grace Duncan]

I think I can already hear my Lord saying Well Done My God and Faithful Servant

[Louisville Church stops all ma]

[...] to their website, the congregation of Douglass Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) unanimously voted to end the practice of signing marriage licenses because [...]

[Kathy Conroy]

Hooray! God loves EVERYONE regardless of who they choose to love.

[David Maxwell]

Thank you for a brave, faithful decision!

[Rev. Stephanie McCormick]

Thank you for reminding ministers and church alike whose agents we are. Your public witness is inspirational.

[Alex Roberts]

Great work I remember a similar thing that happened and I just wrote about it:

http://unitedwestandky.com/2011/04/louisville-church-stops-all-marriage-licenses-in-protest-of-kentuckys-anti-gay-marriage-amendment/

[SibLiant]

Brilliant. A post about this is climbing on reddit.com

[Cole Bush]

Thank you. Thank you so very much.

[Gail Dickert]

I dedicated my blog post today to you! Thank you for taking a stand for equality. Your action gives me great hope for the church!

http://rescuejesus.wordpress.com/

Thank you,
Gail

[Adam Barnes-Gallerie]

As someone who has been with my partner for 15 years+ in KY, own our home, and have children. God bless everyone who was involved with this choice. I know it was not one that could have been very easy, but the easy road doesn't lead to where we want to be in the long run. I am not an emotional person, this said reading just one article had brought me to tears. Thank you all so very much!

[Matt Harrah]

Outstanding. Really outstanding.

[Dave]

Thank you so much for supporting what is right in America, the right to be treated equally under the laws of the USA. It is a tough job sticking your neck out to help others, but as you already know, you will be rewarded for your unselfish acts.

[Dave]

Be brave, stand tall, God is with you.

[ryan]

Thank you Jonathan for your encouraging words.

[ryan]

Thank you, Rev. Derek. I pray and trust the Spirit will move you to a stance and conviction.

[ryan]

John, Let us know when your book comes out. We love to read.

[ryan]

Thank you, Rev. C.E. Bryant. The courage is ours through the one who strengthens us, Jesus Christ.

[ryan]

We are glad to receive your kindred spirit and call you part of our family as well.

[ryan]

Thanks be to God.