NC Methodist church will not perform straight marriages until UMC ban lifted

Green Street United Methodist Church is releasing a Public Statement on Marriage, standing in solidarity with LGBTQ members. Winston-Salem, NC -- Members of the Leadership Council of Green Street UM Church will publish a Public Statement on Marriage at a Press Conference on March 17, 2013 at 2 pm in the Sanctuary of Green Street UMC, 639 S. Green Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

On the matter of gay marriage, the church sees injustice in the legal position of state government and the theological position of our denomination. North Carolina prohibits same sex marriage and all the rights and privileges marriage brings. The Leadership Council has asked that their ministers join others who refuse to sign any State marriage licenses until this right is granted to same sex couples.

Because the United Methodist Church prohibits its pastors from conducting same sex weddings, excluding gay and lesbian couples from the holy sacrament of marriage, the Leadership Council has asked their pastor to refrain from conducting wedding ceremonies in our sanctuary for straight couples, until the denomination lifts its ban for same sex couples.

Green Street is presently the only Reconciling Congregation in the Western North Carolina Conference. With a growing number of LGBTQ members, Green Street seeks to be a public witness to its community, Conference and denomination.

Members of the congregation will discuss the issue and how the church leadership arrived at this stance in a Press Conference on Sunday, March 17th at 2 pm.