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Channing Memorial Church May 16, 2004 We are living in historic times. Tomorrow, May 17th marks two historic events: the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court, Brown versus the Board of Education, and May 17th is the day when same-gender marriage becomes legal in the state of Massachusetts. Brown versus the Board of Education mandated the desegregation of public schools. This decision by the United States Supreme Court had a profound impact on our country. Some of you may remember the debate, dissent, and change that swept the nation. Perhaps some of you lived with segregation or worked on behalf of civil rights. Of course, I was not alive to experience those events first-hand. However I have been reading and listening with interest to stories about the people who advocated for equal opportunity for all in society and the black children and youth who attended white schools in the South under the protection of State troopers amid name-calling and threats of violence. National Public Radio has held a series in tribute to the 50th anniversary of Brown versus the Board of Education. One of the factors in the Court's decision was the testimony of psychologists that the self-esteem and identity of all children was harmed under segregation. The ruling provided momentum for the civil rights movement. Over the course of 50 years, great advances have been made in society. However, we must also be mindful that our society largely remains segregated and much improvement is yet needed in our public school system to insure equal opportunity for all. On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Brown versus the Board of Education, the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly upheld the following theme calling for the "Renewal of social consciousness respecting harmonious, just and positive race relations"- a call that is just as vital today. Tomorrow marks the day when same-gender marriage becomes legal in our neighboring state of Massachusetts. At a time when issues of homosexuality are tearing apart many denominations, the Unitarian Universalist Association has been on the forefront in support of Civil Marriage. Of course, within a faith governed by congregational polity there is always room for a variety of perspectives. I have spoken to some members of this congregation who prefer civil union to marriage in order to separate issues of church and state. Some people feel that raising children is best when shared by a heterosexual couple. In April, we held a forum on Marriage Equality in our Ladies' Parlor that was well attended. I was deeply moved to hear members of this congregation share about what marriage means in their own personal lives and their hopes that all loving couples would soon have equal rights. Many people grappled with the role of church and state in this complex issue. Most of all, my spirit lifted that our religious community could share openly and honestly about an issue that could be divisive in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Personally, I applaud the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling that the state cannot deny the benefits of civil marriage to same-gender couples. Through newspaper articles, a radio talk show, a press conference, letters, and petitions, I have advocated for marriage equality in our state of Rhode Island and will continue to do so until gay and lesbian couples and their families have the rights that I now enjoy as a married woman. For I believe that committed relationships between two people help to strengthen our society. Instead of a threat to straight couples or families, I believe that gay and lesbian couples are models of equal partnership that can expand our understanding of the importance of love and authenticity in all of our lives. No matter what our individual perspectives, it is important as Unitarian Universalists to be informed about how the Unitarian Universalist Association is engaged with this issue. The front page of Monday's Boston Globe read, "Unitarians prepare to marry gays- Denomination set to 'make history'". Our Association's involvement in this historic event is indeed newsworthy! Tomorrow, the three lead couples in the lawsuit that led to the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling will be married by Unitarian Universalist ministers. The President of the UUA, the Reverend William Sinkford, will officiate at the wedding of Hilary and Julie Goodridge at the UUA Headquarters at 25 Beacon Street, right next door to the Massachusetts State House. Plaintiffs, Gloria Bailey and Linda Davies will also be married tomorrow at First Parish in Brewster, MA. The Reverend Kim Crawford-Harvie will officiate at the wedding of the second plaintiff couple, David Wilson and Robert Compton at Arlington Street Church, which will be carried on a live broadcast on ABC's Nightline. For a moment, let us consider the significance of what will be happening tomorrow. For the first time in Massachusetts, same-gender couples will be legally married. They might have had their union performed in City Hall but instead these couples have chosen to have a religious ceremony to publicly affirm their covenant with one another. I am particularly moved knowing that a ceremony will be held at Arlington Street Church, the congregation that our own William Ellery Channing served- a congregation who worked for the emancipation of slaves and women's suffrage. Our church is a part of the Ballou Channing District, which includes Unitarian Universalist congregations in Rhode Island, the Cape and the Islands as well as the south shore of Boston. So, when I attended the monthly meeting, my UU colleagues who serve in Massachusetts were abuzz with news. As you can imagine, the Reverend Alison Hyder who serves the Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown has been busy with over 30 weddings scheduled so far. One colleague had eight ceremonies planned for a single day. We are not the only liberal religious voice on this issue. I am happy to say that the Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements also support marriage equality as well as a large number of United Church of Christ ministers and other individual clergy. However, many established Protestant denominations: Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian are currently engaged in conflict over the issue of homosexuality. It is significant that while many other people of faith spread hateful and divisive messages, Unitarian Universalism offers a message that is affirming and inclusive. Of course, I am not naïve. There are already signs of a growing backlash as Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney seeks to overturn the ruling, and President George Bush may propose a Constitutional Amendment banning same-gender marriage. There are other signs of gay rights eroding as many domestic partnership benefits are being eliminated. However just as Americans were surprised by the Brown versus Board of Education ruling this decision has taken many by surprise. This is a significant step in the creation of a more just equitable society. Change takes time. No matter what twists and turns may lie ahead, I join others in celebrating May 17th as an affirmation of the worth and dignity of every person. These are historic times and they are also times filled with anxiety. War, terrorism, a weak economy, the upcoming elections, and the speed with which we receive international news and images of violence are only a few of the sources of tension in our daily lives. These momentous events give rise to passionate feelings. We are Unitarian Universalists because we want to be active participants in our lives. The sacred is not found only on Sunday mornings or in certain holy books. The sacred is found all around us and within us. You may turn to me as your minister for counsel, but I lay no claim on knowing the one true answer. Instead we engage together in the exploration of questions of meaning and often we may come to different conclusions. This faith is based on experience. Your experience. My experience. The answers are not static because you have not stopped living. At least I hope you have not stopped living. Certainly, I have not stopped living. Our liberal religious faith affirms the right of conscience. Our religion challenges us to be honest with one another and our selves about our beliefs without denying another person's perspective. This sounds simple in theory but it is not easy in practice especially when we feel passionately about an issue. Here at Channing Memorial Church we have been engaged in creating a welcoming caring religious community. However, we are not immune from the tensions of our times. Like in society at large, there is a wide range of opinions and feelings about the war and other controversial issues. Some members have expressed concern about whether their viewpoint which was different from my own or that of another church member was welcome here. The simple answer is "Yes" all points of view are welcome. Being inclusive is a core value for us as Unitarian Universalists. Just as we do not expect theological conformity, we do not expect conformity on socio-political issues. However, this matter is more complicated than that. It is not enough to say "all are welcome", we need to create an environment in which all people feel welcome. The Governing Board and members of the Committee on Ministry have been meeting this spring to grapple with this question. We have been fortunate to have a friend of Channing Church, Chris Ariel serve as our facilitator. Even among the leaders there are different expectations about the role of socio-political topics in our church. However, I am pleased to announce that the leaders of the church have reached a consensus and are committed to strengthening our common understanding. We will be holding a series of forums, educational opportunities, and presentations in order to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist in our times. I believe that this will help each one of us to further develop our faith while strengthening our sense of religious community. I often find that I am more capable of articulating my own perspective when I am part of a diverse gathering. As Unitarian Universalists, we have much to offer the local and national arena about the values of reason, tolerance, democracy, community, human dignity, and love. As a religious community, we have the opportunity to practice the values we wish to make real in the world. Like in the words of our new member welcome, "We commit ourselves to honesty in our speaking, care in our relating, peace in our meeting, courtesy in conflict, integrity in our action. May we be true to ourselves, true to one another, and true to our vision of what together we are becoming." In the words of Judith Meyer,
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