Towards the end of last May we reported in and article that the UK church The United Reformed Church was positioned to allow same gender marriages in its General Assembly to be held this month. In a press release issued today, 9 JUL 2016, the URC announced that the General Assembly did just that, in a vote of 240 in favor and 21 against, the Assembly approved allowing individual congregations to register their buildings to conduct and register marriages for same gender couples wishing to marry in the UK. This vote required approval of a 2/3s majority to pass.
The press release mentions the congregations in England and Wales can immediately begin the registration process for their buildings. The process under Scottish law is a bit different, but the Assembly’s decision will have the same affect for Scottish congregations. The URC becomes that largest UK Christian denomination to date to allow same gender marriages.
The General Secretary of the URC , the Revd John Proctor is quoted as stating,
Today the URC has made an important decision – at which some will rejoice and with which others will be uncomfortable. Those of our churches who now wish to offer full marriage services to same-sex couples are free to do just that – and those churches who do not wish to are not compelled to. All are part of this denomination. This has been a sensitive issue for many in our churches. It has been important to take our time over the decision process, and to listen as carefully as we can to one another along the way.
The photo is from the press release webpage.