On Sunday, December 4 Hamline Church will hold a Church Conference for the Annual Business meeting, HCI update, and a vote on the Altar for All Resolution. All are welcome. Members may vote. The resolution is as follows:

Proposal: To adopt the Altar for All resolution stating that Hamline Church will be open to all couples seeking to marry regardless of their gender.

Action required:

1. Approval of Altar for All resolution by Church Council – approved on 9-13-16
2. Approval of Church Conference to be held Fall 2016 for congregation wide adoption of Altar for All resolution

Recommended by: Hamline Church Reconciling Ministry Team & Hamline Church Council

Rationale:

Hamline Church has been a Reconciling Congregation since 1999. We are members of the Reconciling Ministries Network of The United Methodist Church, which means we declare ourselves to be open and affirming.  In keeping with our values of inclusion, we declare that: God’s love and grace is available to all. We believe that the Christian altar should be open to all loving couples who can legally marry and who request to make vows in the church, recognizing their belief in the sacred covenant of Christian marriage.

Resolution:

We, Hamline Church, as a United Methodist congregation, have committed to supporting and honoring same-sex marriages in the same way that we support and honor other marriages. We believe that banning same-sex marriage is inconsistent with Christ’s teaching, and the constitution of the United Methodist Church. We fully recognize and assume the risks associated with these commitments, because we are called upon by God, through Jesus Christ, to resist injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. Our sanctuary is open for all to make a commitment of love and fidelity through Christian marriage.

Additional Information:

How will this affect Hamline Church? Read the FAQ Here

For more information from the Altar for All organization, or to sign on as an individual supporter: http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/take-action/altar-for-all/