In April 2014, the UCC filed suit against the state of North Carolina, arguing that the state’s marriage laws violate the First Amendment rights of clergy and the principle of “free exercise of religion.” In October 2014, a federal judge ruled the state’s marriage laws as unconstitutional, giving the UCC and its co-plaintiffs a monumental and historic victory for equality for all people. The landmark lawsuit, General Synod of the United Church of Christ v. Cooper, was the first-ever challenge by a national Christian denomination of a state’s marriage laws.
The UCC stands with thousands of same-sex couples across the life of the church, affirming their freedom to marry the person they love. UCC clergy have honored these commitments, officiating over covenantal vows or blessings, long before same-sex marriage was approved in 37 states and Washington, D.C., and the church has active coalitions working for marriage equality in nearly every state. There are currently more than 1,200 Open and Affirming (ONA) UCC churches nationwide, including all five local UCC churches celebrating Sunday.
The link to the service will be found on the homepage of this website, Guilfordchurch.org on Sunday morning, on BCTV and by searching on youtube for 06-28-2020-Rev Audrey Walker First Congregational Church West Brattleboro. For more information call Fred Breunig at 254-9019.