If same-sex couples can’t marry then there won’t be any marriages performed. That’s the loud and clear message that a North Carolina church is sending everyone-stating it will stop performing marriages until United Methodist pastors are allowed to officiate weddings for same-sex couples in the state.
The 400- member Green Street United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, under the leadership of Rev. Kelly Carpenter, made the announcement on its Facebook page on Friday and also held a press conference on Sunday regarding the stance.
Although Rev. Carpenter stated that the congregation had been totally supportive, he remarked that he had also received some harsh emails from non-active church attendees.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider two key same-sex marriage issues later this month, Rev. Carpenter said the announcement was made at the perfect time.
His congregation also includes at least 15 gay and lesbian couples, and the church website declares that committed same-sex relationships are “no less sacred” as heterosexual unions.
The Tar Heel State residents beg to differ, as they displayed in an overwhelming vote last May to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Nine states — including Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland — and the District of Columbia currently allow same-sex marriages.
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