A Timely Message from Our UCC Conference Minister

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Greetings in the name of a Christ who liberates and redeems!

As most of you probably already know, a very important piece of human rights legislation will be on this year’s ballot.  If approved Referendum 71 will uphold the law that gives registered same sex couples and registered unmarried couples over 62 years old almost all the same privileges as mixed gender married couples of all ages within the State of Washington.  Although both emphases of this legislation are equally important, the second piece is getting a lot less attention.  Although this won’t be the primary emphasis of this letter, its important to take a moment to explain this piece.

Many pension, retirement, medical plans decrease their benefits program when folks marry.  Referendum 71, in addition to securing rights for those same sex couples who register with the state, would also prevent registered couples over 62 from losing important benefits.

For those of us working towards marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples, referendum 71 is - admittedly - a mixed bag.  This law has been dubbed “The Everything but Marriage” law and, within that, is this law’s imperfection.  Because this law does not legalize marriage for same sex couples in Washington State, voting for 71 is not yet a vote for complete marriage equality but an endorsement of a “separate but equal” legal status for registered gay couples.  Again, this is not a vote to endorse or approve marriage for all couples.

However, even though I don’t see this as a vote for equality, I do believe that a vote to approve 71 is a very important step towards equality.  Civil rights struggles rarely have large, sweeping moments when everything that is hoped for comes to fruition.  Large hopes are reached by single steps and working for the approval of 71 may be some of the very important and significant steps we take on this particular journey.  The bottom line is that some people who don’t have secured rights the day before this legislation is voted on, could the day afterwards.

I want to encourage you, as members of UCC Open and Affirming churches in Washington State, to consider what steps towards those large hopes you might be able to take.  Now, I don’t know about you but this particular kind of value based place where the intersection of politics and faith is legal is rarely comfortable for me.  We’ve been so well trained to avoid partisan politics that we don’t always understand that we are legally allowed - and, I’d suggest morally obligated - to speak out on many issues or referendums without endangering our tax exempt status.  We have so many tendencies to avoid conflict that we sometimes avoid discussion of important issues in our churches that we think could result in conflict.  Many of us come to church to escape some of the tensions of the world and even bringing up somewhat controversial ideas creates some tension in us that makes us uncomfortable.  I get that.  I really do.  I feel it, too.  However, I think there is a particular aspect to this referendum that makes it very important for us to enter in to some of these difficult conversations.

We can’t forget that a few church people are the ones who are organizing the movement to oppose civil rights for gay and lesbian folks.  Many of these same church people are working hard to defeat 71.  This places a special burden on those of us who disagree with these sisters and brothers of ours.  Far too often, all church people are defined by the actions of a few church people.  These recent actions by a few church people opposed to civil rights for gay and lesbian folks do more than just suggest that gay people should not allowed access to civil rights.  Because, again, this legislation is being pushed by a few vocal church folks, many gay and lesbian people are going to feel as thought they would also be unwelcome in any church (something that is an uphill battle already).  Those of us who disagree can not remain silent without risking losing the trust of those in the gay and lesbian community who are considering whether or not to give church one last try.  There are people waiting to see if our faithful words have faithful actions attached.  In this particular situation, remaining silent isn’t just standing still on that pilgrimage towards larger hopes.  I think silence could end up being a step backwards for all those churches that present a faithfully open and affirming message.

So, consider taking a simple step forward by just reminding your friends, colleagues and families to vote.  Among the general public, referendum 71 has wide support (over 70 percent in many polls).  However, among those who have made it clear they intend to vote, the numbers are not as promising; only 51% approve.  That’s way too close.  One of the ways that 71 will be approved is by our working to encourage more people to vote.  Its that simple.

Another simple step is clearly and openly expressing your intent to vote to approve 71.  Maybe you’re in to yard signs and t-shirts.  Great!  Maybe you like showing up at rallies and protests.  Wonderful!  Maybe you’ll change your Facebook status to indicate your support and encourage your friends to do the same.  Excellent!  Maybe you’re willing to participate in phone bank work or just call and email those you know.  Wonderful!  Maybe you’ll just take a little time in conversations over the next few weeks to quietly and earnestly make your support for 71 clear.  Beautiful!

The most important step you can take, however, is to pray.  Pray that all people will have the opportunity to live in a world that is just, secure and fair and pray that you can have the courage, grace and persistence to help create that world.  Praying is never the least we can do but, really, the most we can ever do.  Its out of faithful prayers that come the best actions of the faithful.

As most of you know, I'm taking a couple weeks off to get married this Friday and then for the honeymoon afterward.  The rights Lauren and I will have access to stand in sharp contrast to many gay and lesbian couples.  With that contrast very fresh in view, I couldn't leave without giving a few more words of encouragement to those churches in our conference that have already recognized inclusion as a holy calling.  The next few weeks are important.  With God's help, let's use them wisely.

Peace.
Mike

--
Rev. Michael Denton
Conference Minister
Pacific Northwest Conference of
The United Church of Christ
www.pncucc.org

Good News from Bread for the World – 2009 Offering of Letters

Our 2009 Offering of Letters gains momentum to reform the delivery of U.S. foreign aid. There are now two bipartisan foreign aid reform bills in Congress one each in the Senate and the House.

• The Senate bill (S.1524) was introduced just before the August recess by six senators.
• The House bill (H.R. 2139), introduced in April, now has 100 cosponsors.

This is good news, because with the two bills in Congress, we now have the building blocks in place to move more briskly to overhaul the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The House is actively working on a rewrite of the act and there are indications that the Senate will work on this soon.

Thanks to the personal letters and the persistent voices of Bread for the World members speaking with congressional leaders there is a hope and opportunity for needed reform.

• New Action: Contact Senators Murray and Cantwell and ask them to cosponsor Senate Bill, S. 1524
• Where/When: You can write a letter or sign a prepared letter ready for your signature in the fellowship hall after worship service on Sunday, September 13th

Our national Church body, the United Church of Christ, is very involved in social justice issues. The UCC encourages local churches and individuals to increase their involvement in a variety of issues. To find out more, go to www.ucc.org and click on the Big Things and/or the Change the World tabs.

 

 

 

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