Below is the policy approved at Wesley United Methodist Church on April 23, 2003.
With all covenantal ceremonies (that may or may not use Wesley’s facilities) members of Wesley and those outside of Wesley’s membership, are encouraged to contact the pastor for more information.
Our pastor will meet and work with couples considering a covenantal, lifetime relationship with vows affirming Christian commitment, there are several important steps to take: pre-ceremony counseling, the details of the ceremony, and costs that may be involved because of buildings, custodial costs, and accompanists.
Policy on Ceremonies of Covenantal Relationships
Wesley United Methodist Church
Fresno, CA
This policy is advisory, not compulsory for pastors serving
Wesley United Methodist Church.
We, the congregation of Wesley United Methodist Church, believe God calls us to nurture, affirm and celebrate the gift of God’s grace in intimate relationships. In response to that call, we will provide pastoral and congregational support and make available all of the facilities at Wesley United Methodist Church for couples seeking to affirm and celebrate covenantal relationships through traditional wedding or holy union ceremonies. A holy union is a ceremony celebrating a covenant made between same-gender persons who do not otherwise have access to civil marriage. In adopting this policy we wish to ensure that the full care and blessing of our congregation’s ministries will be made available to all who seek them, free of discrimination.
We encourage couples who wish to celebrate a traditional wedding or holy union ceremony to make an appointment to speak with one of our pastors. We encourage our pastors to provide thorough counseling to couples regarding the nature and significance of covenant relationships as they prepare for these celebrations.
In adopting this policy, we of Wesley United Methodist Church affirm our commitment as a United Methodist congregation and also our 1984 commitment as a Reconciling Congregation. We believe the policy stated here is both a faithful expression of the vow made at our baptism, “to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves, “ and of the traditional United Methodist commitment to social justice. We believe Jesus’ Great Commandment to love our God and love our neighbors as ourselves bids us do no less than extend the ministry of our church equally to all who seek it. We rededicate ourselves to prayer and faithful action to repeal those denominational policies that exclude gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered [GLBT] persons from the full ministry of our church and we will strive to transform our United Methodist Church into a church with truly “Open Minds, Open Hearts, and Open Doors.”
Adopted by Wesley United Methodist Church—April 6, 2003
Edited by Administrative Council—April 23, 2003
