Same-sex Unions
Posted on March 16, 2021
We note with sadness the decision from the Vatican that the Roman Catholic church will not bless same-sex unions. The United Church of Canada as a denomination and Norval United Church as a congregation have taken a different stance.
On the United Church national website we read “In the United Church, we see each person as a unique, loved creation of God and welcome all people to the full life of Christian community, including marriage. We believe God intends loving relationships to be faithful, responsible, just, healing, and sustaining of the couple and those around them, and that such relationships require preparation and nurture. The United Church celebrates the marriage of same-sex couples, previously divorced people, couples of different religions.”
At Norval United Church we believe that God blesses same-sex unions, and we will bless them too. Here is the Norval United Church Statement of Inclusion, “In response to God’s call, Norval United Church is committed to welcoming and accepting all people regardless of age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, differing abilities, ethnic background or economic circumstance. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will seek to:
~ create a safe, respectful and welcoming community
~ celebrate the gifts of one another
~ receive with gratitude the leadership, service and ministry of one another
~ celebrate and honour the life passages of all (births, baptisms, weddings, blessings, healing, death and dying)
~ continue our discovery of what it means to be an inclusive community
~ continue to be challenged to greater inclusion and justice seeking for all people.
