On January 1, 2008, same sex civil unions were legalized in the state of New Hampshire, joining Vermont and Massachusetts.
I have been officiating at non-legal, same sex union ceremonies for 20 years, as have most of my UU colleagues.
For almost 200 years, the Unitarian Universalist church of Peterborough has been a voice for reason and progressive religion. Standing in this tradition, and believing in the inherent worth and dignity of people, the congregation voted to be a Welcoming Congregation on April 13, 2003. Welcoming Congregation means that we welcome people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered to our membership, to our leadership, to our ministry, to our religious education program, to baptism, child dedications, civil unions, and funerals.
The main point of my message is that I hope you will take the opportunity when it presents itself to tell others about what your UU church does. Your UU church is a welcoming congregation. Your minister officiates at civil union ceremonies. Your church welcomes people who are gay lesbian, bisexual and transgendered to its leadership, its ministry, te4aching, and all parts of the life of the church. We do because it is the right thing to do. Our faith helps us to trust in this. Why is it important for a church to do this?
Churches and houses of worship have traditionally been the most vocal opponents to people who are GLBT. That is why our church must be a visible house of worship that is welcoming. That is why we fly the rainbow flag from the sign board, and why we have welcoming congregation on our website.
Religious opposition is most often based upon several passages found in the Bible which condemn same-sex relationships.
Jesus countered all of the laws and rules of his religious tradition and culture with a single piece of advice. When asked
