Page 5 - Moravian Messenger January 2020

One Plus One
First in a new series on
Understanding Marriage (A United Reformed Church Publication) in the 21st Century
Now that British law has made it possible for people to enter into same-sex marriages and the civil partnerships of heterosexual couples, many churches are looking afresh at their understanding of relationships, human sexuality and marriage. The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have been through a process of examining these things in detail and the Church of England has been doing the same thing.
We have been asked by the Provincial Faith & Order & Ecumenical Relations Committee to write a series of articles based largely on the United Reformed Church (URC) booklet, 'One Plus One: Thinking Together About Marriage (Second Edition)', produced by the URC in 2014.
One reason for writing this series of articles is in response to a proposal that was passed by Provincial Synod 2018, which recommended that we, as a church, continue to reflect theologically and try to discern the will of God on these issues. It was suggested that the Provincial Faith & Order & Ecumenical Relations Committee might reflect on the theology and ethics underpinning the institution of marriage. As we do so we must remember that we are a Province within the worldwide Moravian Church (the Unity), and that human sexuality is an issue of disagreement. Some members and Provinces take a more liberal stance on it and others a more traditional/conservative view.
A second reason for writing this series is motivated by pastoral concerns. Some ministers within the British Province have been approached about officiating at same sex marriages and blessings, including using our church buildings to hold these services. There are gay and lesbian people and same sex couples who are members of our congregations, and others who are attending our worship services and other activities. It is likely that, both as individuals and as a church, we will be asked what our church's position is on same sex marriage and other matters concerning human
sexuality. It is therefore important that we continue to reflect on these issues, so that we can offer guidance and support to all our members and respond to these situations in a confident, reasoned, pastoral and loving way.
A third reason for writing this series is motivated by ecumenical considerations. The Moravian Church is a member of Churches Together in England (CTE). Recently a person was nominated to be a President of CTE (one of six Presidents) who subsequently entered into a same sex marriage. Some member churches could not agree with the appointment of this person due to their beliefs about same sex relationships and marriage. This led to a process of prayerful discernment, during which all member churches were consulted. Following this process of discernment, it was decided that this position should be left vacant, i.e. there should be an empty chair among the Presidents, for the current term of office. A press release from CTE on matter says:
“This empty chair represents the lack of agreement within the churches in England regarding human sexuality, and the reality that this dimension of the churches' pilgrimage together is not yet complete.”
The Society of Friends (Quakers) conducts same sex marriages. The URC has authorised local congregations to decide for themselves whether they wish to register their building for same sex marriages. 'One Plus One' was published before this decision was made by the URC and was part of the process that led to this decision. The Methodist Church has recently embarked upon a national year of discussion and discernment. The Church of England has been discussing the matter of human sexuality for many years and in 2020 hopes to publish study material, which will look at marriage, relationships and sexuality. It should also be remembered that our church is a member of a number of Local Ecumenical Partnerships (joint congregations) with the churches mentioned above.
The aim of 'One Plus One' is to outline the personal, pastoral and theological issues surrounding marriage, in order to enable reflection and discussion on same sex marriage. The introduction begins by simply asking what marriage is, pointing out that definitions do not have to be exclusive and vary across time and cultures. The booklet points out that changes in the understanding of marriage in our own culture has prompted discussion of this matter within the churches.
The booklet states some of the legalities around same sex marriage. In our case, no congregation can register its building for same sex marriages without our Provincial Synod first passing a resolution giving permission for individual congregations to do so. Therefore, at this time, same sex marriages cannot take place in any Moravian Church building or any building which we share with another denomination, even if the building is owned by the other denomination. This is especially important to note in the case of Local Ecumenical Partnerships.
'One Plus One' is made up of a series of papers written by members of a URC task group, split into two sections. The first section consists of papers on the topics of commitment, the Bible and an historical perspective on marriage. The papers in the second section take on a more personal tone.
We hope you find the series of articles we produce both stimulating and helpful.
Brn Martin Smith & Philip Cooper
Ministers at Royton, Salem and Fairfield Congregations
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