Currently I serve as Transitional Minister at Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ. In March of 2013 our congregation became the denomination’s 1090th Open and Affirming congregation. Earlier this year we rejoiced when marriage equality arrived in Florida. We are hopeful that it will soon become a national reality.
The following is an excerpt from the portion of yesterday’s worship service focused on marriage equality in support of the Religious Institute’s National Weekend of Prayer for the Freedom to Marry.
Hymn – I Will Trust in the Lord (New Century Hymnal #416)
v.1
I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, till I die.
I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, till I die.
v.2
I’m gonna treat everybody right, I’m gonna treat everybody right, I’m gonna treat everybody right, till I die.
I’m gonna treat everybody right, I’m gonna treat everybody right, I’m gonna treat everybody right, till I die.
Call to Prayer
The Rev. Dr. J. Bennett (Ben) Guess is Executive Minister of the United Church of Christ’s Local Church Ministries and a member of the UCC’s four-person Collegium of Officers. We have also been fortunate to welcome his parents in our services of worship this season.
Last night Ben posted a Facebook status that I will now share with you before we join our voices in a unison prayer for marriage equality.
With great anticipation of Tuesday’s oral arguments for marriage equality at the U.S. Supreme Court, I’m reposting: “A Love Offering for Marriage Equality,” an occasion-specific paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, which I shared at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 27, 2013 (oral arguments for U.S. v Windsor) at the Interfaith Service of Love and Justice at Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C.
“If I speak like I know everything, like the world revolves around me, but I don’t love, I am nothing but a fool at a microphone.
“If I can talk about The Scriptures, and preach better than all the other preachers, and get everybody and their sister coming back to church, but I don’t embrace love, then I’m just a silly dude in a robe.
“If I give away all my best stuff, and have all the ‘Rev. Dr. This and Thats’ in front of my name, but I can’t recognize love, then I haven’t learned a thing.
“Because love, she is amazing. Love is relentless. Love is extra-generous.
“Love looks out for the interests of other people, not just one’s own self.
“Love doesn’t reserve rights and privileges just for some. Love doesn’t promote hierarchies, to the expense of equality, because love just doesn’t think that way. Love doesn’t work that way.
“Love doesn’t hurt people. And love never leaves people out.
“No … Love goes all the way. Love removes every obstacle. Love appeals to the highest court in the land, when necessary.
“Love gets up really early in the morning, after having stayed up really late the night before.
“That’s how love is. Love always does the right thing, even when it’s hard. Love is fair and just, extravagant and wasteful. Love can never be depleted.
“Now as for long speeches and oral arguments and amicus briefs, they’ll play themselves out. And fanatics can cry, ‘Surely the world will come to an end!’ and they, too, have their rights. But your loved one’s embrace at the end of a hard day? … The dreams you share … The plans you’ve made … The inside jokes … The kisses goodnight … Till death do you part. That will never pass away.
“When I was a scared, uncertain, disempowered gay person, I thought and reasoned like a scared, uncertain, disempowered gay person. I thought this day could never come. But now, I’ve put all that behind me, every limiting thought.
“Yes, we see through murky waters. We’re trying to discern every 5 to 4; 6 to 3; 9-to-nothing scenario. But the day is surely coming, when we will be seen, and see each other, as God sees us — through love, because God is love.
“We have a lot of things to sustain us in this life. There’s that quirky optimism that, with God, all things work together for good. And there’s always hope, and hope never disappoints. And that’s all nice. But most importantly, we’ve got this big, expansive, inclusive love. Love! And isn’t that the greatest thing? Isn’t it?”
Responsive Prayer (The Religious Institute)
One: We believe that humans are created in and for relationship and that sexuality is a life-giving and life-fulfilling gift.
MANY: We believe that all persons have the right to enjoy relationships that express love, justice, mutuality, commitment, consent and pleasure.
One: Marriage is a holy covenant and a commitment to another person to share life’s joys and sorrows.
MANY: All families must be supported in building stable, empowering and respectful relationships.
One: Our commitment to justice challenges us to speak and act for all who seek to express their love in the commitment of marriage.
MANY: Today, we call on the Supreme Court of the United States to put an end to marriage discrimination.
One: May the wisdom of the justices, the skill of the attorneys, and the integrity of the plaintiffs prevail in the
freedom to marry.MANY: May true relational justice be served and human rights safeguarded for all.
One: Where there is love, the sacred is in our midst. Amen.