Celebrating the Diversity of God's Family
An event in response to the constitutional
amendment to ban gay marriage
In response to Texans' upcoming vote on a
constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, Northaven United Methodist
Church is planning an evening of information and witness. "Celebrating the
Diversity of God's Family" is a one-hour event that will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23, at the church, 11211 Preston Road in Dallas.
The evening feature a presentation by John Holbert, professor at SMU's Perkins School of Theology, that will offer the historical context for biblical references used by some Christians to justify their opposition to same-sex marriage. Dr. Holbert, who is the Lois Craddock Professor of Homiletics. will center his talk on, "Joining Together in the Sight of God" as a response to an amendment that the Northaven community believes serves to divide and exclude.
On the same night, the church will feature a photo exhibit of Northaven families, many of whom are headed by gay and lesbian parents. The organizers of the event believe that denying these parents the basic legal rights that married couples enjoy punishes the children in these families most of all.
On November 8, Texans will go to the polls to decide whether to join18 other states that constitutionally prohibit the recognition of gay marriages and civil unions by considering Proposition 2. The measure also prohibits cities, counties or the state from acknowledging "any legal status identical or similar to marriage." A state law, passed in 2003, already bans same-sex marriage, but proponents sought the amendment to thwart any challenges to the law and to keep the state from having to recognize a same-sex union from another state.
Opponents argue the amendment enshrines discrimination in a document that has a historical role of extending civil rights. The amendment also could have unintended consequences, such as loss of partner insurance, denial of hospital access in emergencies and nullifying the rights of common-law marriages between men and women.
William K. McElvaney, Professor Emeritus, Perkins School of Theology, SMU, and former Northaven church pastor, offers the following:
"In lifting up the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor, Jesus did not indicate that when you give and receive love, be sure to love the right race, the correct gender, the acceptable neighbor. Love of neighbor is not to be divided into categories of acceptable and unacceptable."
The congregation of Northaven United Methodist Church voted to become a church that engages in Reconciling Ministries, to affirm its welcoming of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals and to provide them a church home. This year, the church celebrates its 50th anniversary by maintaining its commitment to supporting issues of social justice.
The evening feature a presentation by John Holbert, professor at SMU's Perkins School of Theology, that will offer the historical context for biblical references used by some Christians to justify their opposition to same-sex marriage. Dr. Holbert, who is the Lois Craddock Professor of Homiletics. will center his talk on, "Joining Together in the Sight of God" as a response to an amendment that the Northaven community believes serves to divide and exclude.
On the same night, the church will feature a photo exhibit of Northaven families, many of whom are headed by gay and lesbian parents. The organizers of the event believe that denying these parents the basic legal rights that married couples enjoy punishes the children in these families most of all.
On November 8, Texans will go to the polls to decide whether to join18 other states that constitutionally prohibit the recognition of gay marriages and civil unions by considering Proposition 2. The measure also prohibits cities, counties or the state from acknowledging "any legal status identical or similar to marriage." A state law, passed in 2003, already bans same-sex marriage, but proponents sought the amendment to thwart any challenges to the law and to keep the state from having to recognize a same-sex union from another state.
Opponents argue the amendment enshrines discrimination in a document that has a historical role of extending civil rights. The amendment also could have unintended consequences, such as loss of partner insurance, denial of hospital access in emergencies and nullifying the rights of common-law marriages between men and women.
William K. McElvaney, Professor Emeritus, Perkins School of Theology, SMU, and former Northaven church pastor, offers the following:
"In lifting up the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor, Jesus did not indicate that when you give and receive love, be sure to love the right race, the correct gender, the acceptable neighbor. Love of neighbor is not to be divided into categories of acceptable and unacceptable."
The congregation of Northaven United Methodist Church voted to become a church that engages in Reconciling Ministries, to affirm its welcoming of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals and to provide them a church home. This year, the church celebrates its 50th anniversary by maintaining its commitment to supporting issues of social justice.
Posted: Wednesday - October 19, 2005 at 11:09 AM |
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:47 PM
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:47 PM