Local clergy to perform gay marriage

Are you planning a same-sex marriage? Find a legally ordained minister who aligns with your beliefs to perform this important ceremony wherever you are located. Emotions were high throughout the third and final day of the UMC's meeting. Some supporters of greater LGBT inclusion were in tears, while others vented their anger when, midway through the session, delegates defeated a proposal that would have let regional and local church bodies decide for themselves on gay-friendly policies. Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton with the United Church of the Resurrection in Leawood was among those voicing his disapproval of the decision.

Pastors will have sole discretion as to whether or not same-sex marriages will take place at local churches according to an April 29 ruling by the UMC Judicial Council. This month marks seven years since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage with its Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Five years later, the American Community Survey from the United States Census Bureau estimated there were more than , same-sex married couple households in the United States.

A congregation’s trustees cannot declare church facilities off limits if their pastor chooses to officiate a same-sex wedding, The United Methodist Church’s top court has ruled. The Judicial Council said in Decision that “a pastor has discretion in deciding whether to perform or not to perform any marriage ceremony.”. The United Methodist Church leadership has clarified that a recent ruling from its top court allowing pastors to determine if they can officiate same-sex weddings dispute objections from church trustees does not overrule regional bans on the unions. The United Methodist Judicial Council ruled last month that church trustees could not prohibit a pastor from performing a same-sex wedding ceremony. In a statement last Friday, the UMC Council of Bishops stated that the "decision has created some anxiety and consternation," but stressed UMC regions that continue to ban same-sex marriage can still prohibit such ceremonies.

The leadership of the United Methodist Church has clarified that a recent decision by its highest court, which permits pastors to decide whether they will officiate same-sex weddings, does not override regional bans on such unions. Home » Recent Ruling by Judicial Council. According to a recent decision made by the United Methodist Judicial Council the highest judicial body of The United Methodist Church , local church boards cannot prevent pastors from conducting same sex marriages within the church building. See the UMNews story here.