The Issues:
Marriage Equality

Statement on Equal Access to Marriage
By Christian Clergy of Maryland

We the undersigned ministers of Christian denominations within the state of Maryland are alarmed by the inflammatory, misleading, and discriminatory rhetoric of some Christian ministers who would have their voice be perceived as speaking for all Christians in advocating for the denial of equal civil rights for gay and lesbian couples in Maryland. Therefore, we shall not be silent and allow such Christian ministers to subvert the language and symbols of the Christian faith for the purpose of inciting fear against the gay and lesbian citizens of Maryland. We shall not be silent and allow to go unchallenged a selective interpretation of Scripture used as the basis of social policy to strip gay and lesbian citizens of their basic civil rights. We shall not be silent and allow fellow human beings who are gay and lesbian to be judicially or legislatively reduced to second class citizenship without full access to the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We call Christians and all people of faith within Maryland to stand with us. Let us affirm that all people are created in the image of God, having the same rights and responsibilities with us as citizens, and for those who are members of faith communities, having the same rights and responsibilities as believers with us in the household of faith.

At this time in the history of Maryland we express particular concern for lesbians and gay men in our society and for the abuse of them in the name of Christianity.

Because we reject the exploitation of selected verses of the Bible to declare same-gender sexual expression to be per se sinful;

Because we understand sin to be whatever alienates a person from trust in God and to have the effect of distorting the image of God in ourselves and others;

Because we believe that both heterosexual and homosexual relations are capable of being sinful and of being faithful;

Because we know there are many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people active within our various Christian denominations and also know them to be some of the most faithful and dedicated Christians within our communities;

Because we believe and adhere to a strict separation of church and state, whereby no laws shall be enacted to establish any specific religion or theological doctrine;

Because we do not wish to see any religious institution aided by the civil power, further than may be necessary for protection and security of the free exercise of religion, and at the same time, equal and common to all others;

Because we recognize the historical and long-standing distinction between civil marriage and the rite of Christian marriage;

Because we believe the state of Maryland has no compelling interest in restricting civil marriage to opposite-gender couples, with the result that gay and lesbian couples are denied the protections and responsibilities of marriage;

Therefore, we support the efforts to secure marriage equality for the gay and lesbian citizens of the state of Maryland;

And, we urge the civil community to recognize that gay and lesbian citizens are entitled to all the rights, benefits, privileges and responsibilities that living in this democratic state and nation entails, including the right of civil marriage.

In conclusion, we affirm that Christ Jesus is our peace, who has broken down all dividing walls of hostility; and who calls us to lead people into responsible and faithful relationships, committing themselves to one another and to God’s loving presence.

Christian Clergy Endorsements (101) as of May 2, 2005

Rev. Dr. James H. Adams, PC(USA), Retired, Rockville; Rev. Paul E. Anderson, Pastor of Oaklands Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Laurel; Rev. Douglas E. Bartlett, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. R. Whitfield Bass, Pastor, St. John United, Columbia; Rev. Dr. William L. Bearden, PC(USA), Retired, Baltimore; Rev. James M. Bell, Associate Conference Minister, Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ, Baltimore; Rev. Dorothy Boulton, Catonsville Presbyterian Church, Catonsville; Rev. Dr. Wayne Boulton, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Christa Fuller Burns, Faith Presbyterian Church, PC(USA), Baltimore; Pastor Jason Burns, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, ELCA, Timonium; Rev. Currie Burris, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, PC(USA), Silver Spring; Rev. Lon B. Chesnutt, United Methodist Church, Columbia; Rev. Elizabeth Colton, UCC, Catonsville; Rev. Kate Foster Connors, PC(USA), Towson; Rev. Andrew Foster Connors, Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Rachel Cornwell, U Meth C, Bethesda; Rev. Doris E. Cowan, Parish Associate, Faith Presbyterian Church, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. James R. Crowder, Episcopal Priest, Retired, Baltimore; Rev. Thomas E. Davison, ELCA, Baltimore; Rev. Patricia J. de Beer, Rector, St. Martin's-the-Field, Severna Park; Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback, Conference Minister, Central Atlantic Conference, UCC, Frederick; Rev. Sandy Dodson, Christ Congregational Church, UCC, Silver Spring; Rev. John F. Dornheim, Chaplain JHBMC, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Baltimore; Rev. Ted Dürr, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Mary Louise Ellenberger, PC(USA), Retired, Towson; Rev. Caroline Fairless, St. James Episcopal Church, Bowie; Kristen Claire Foley, Pastoral Intern, Metropolitan Community Church Baltimore/UFMCC, Baltimore; Rev. H. Thomas Foley, PC(USA), Baltimore Presbytery, Retired, Towson; Rev. Dr. Jerrold L. Foltz, Associate Conference Minister for the Catoctin Association, Central Atlantic Conference, UCC, 36 churches in Washington, Frederick, and Carroll Counties; Rev. Mary D. Gaut, PC(USA), Towson; Rev. Columba Gilliss, Episcopal Church, Retired, Frederick; Rev. Arthur Dan Gleckler, Pastor, United Methodist Church, Baltimore-Washington Conference, Baltimore; Rev. Gerald Goethe, United Methodist Church, Retired, Columbia; Rev. Ann Gordon, St. John's of Baltimore City United Methodist Church, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Andrew L. Gunn, UMC, Germantown; Rev. Dr. Alison Halsey, Pastor of First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, Baltimore; Rev. Clifford L. Harrison, United Methodist, Frederick; Rev. Anita E. Hendrix, D.Min., PC(USA), Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church, Baltimore; Rev. Mr. Harry L. Holfelder, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. James C. Holmes, Episcopal Church, Baltimore; Rev. William A. Holmes, UMC, Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference, Silver Spring; Rev. Mark A. G. Huffman, ELCA, Lutherville; Rev. Dr. Margee Adams Iddings, PC(USA), Flintstone; Rev. J. Calvin Jackson, PC(USA), Retired, Glen Arm; Rev. T. Gregory Knepp, Lutheran (ELCA), Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Kovacs, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Barbara Ann Laukaitis, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Florence L. Ledyard, Rector, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Baltimore; Pastor Fred Lehr, Lutheran (ELCA), Retired, Severna Park; Rev. Herbert K. Lodder, Chaplain JHBMC, Baltimore; Rev. T. Stewart Lucas, Memorial Episcopal Church, Baltimore; Rev. Martha Macgill, Memorial Episcopal Church, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Donna Martin, Hospice Chaplain, United Methodist Church, Columbia; Rev. Ronald Martin-Minnich, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Teresa Martin-Minnich, Roland Park Presbyterian Church, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. C. Miller, ELCA, Laurel; Rev. Ms. Meredith Moise, Deacon, United Reform Catholic Church, Baltimore; Rev. Judy Moller, ELCA, Cascade; Rev. Lance Mullins, Pastor, New Covenant Metropolitan Community Church, Columbia; Rev. Dr. Howard Nash, Pastor, St. Johns United Methodist Church of Hamilton, Baltimore; Rev. David K. North, Pastor, Holy Redeemer Metropolitan Community Church, College Park; Rev. Catherine J. Oatman, United Evangelical, UCC, Baltimore; Rev. John Oliver, UCC, Hospice Chaplain, Baltimore; Rev. Beth A. O'Malley, UCC, Columbia United Christian Church, Columbia; Rev. David L. Pollitt, D.Min., PC(USA), Forest Hill; Rev. Roger Scott Powers, Pastor, Light Street Presbyterian Church, Baltimore; Rev. R. Bruce Poynter, UMC (Retired), Frederick; Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Price, Retired, UMC, Bowie; Rev. Neta Pringle, Interim Pastor, Govans Presbyterian Church, Baltimore; Rev. David S. Remington, Episcopal Priest, Retired, Baltimore; Rev. Gerry Rickel, Second English Lutheran Church, Baltimore; Rev. Carolyn L. Roberts, UCC, Frederick; Rev. P. Barrett Rudd, D.Min., PC(USA), Lutherville; Rev. Narka Keller Ryan, Retired, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Baltimore; Rev. Dr. William S. Ryan, Retired, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Catonsville; Rev. Wayne E. Schwandt, Metropolitan Community Church of the Chesapeake, Annapolis; Rev. Dr. John R. Sharp, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Richard W. Shreffler, First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Victoria R. Sirota, Vicar, Church of the Holy Nativity (Episcopal), Baltimore; Rev. Scott Slater, Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), Towson; Rev. Allison C. G. Smith, Bethesda United Church of Christ, Bethesda; Rev. Ben H. Smith, Jr., The Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore; Rev. Frank Smith, New Church in Spirit, Baltimore; Rev. Kingsley Smith, Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), Towson; Rev. R. David Smith, Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore, Baltimore; Rev. Mr. Donald E. Stroud, PC(USA), That All May Freely Serve: Baltimore, Baltimore; Rev. Barbara L. Stumpf, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Bruce G. Swanson, Pastor, First and St. Stephen's United Church of Christ, 6915 York Rd., Baltimore; Rev. Robert E. Taylor, O.S.L., Open Door Metropolitan Community Church, Boyds; Rev. James A. Todhunter, Senior Minister, Christ Congregational Church, UCC, Silver Spring; Rev. Janice L. Trammell-Savin, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Paul D. Tunkle, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore; Rev. Betty Ure, Columbia United Christian Church, UCC, Columbia; Rev. Herbert Valentine, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Gretchen van Utt, PC(USA), Baltimore; Rev. Nancy J. Webb, Foundry United Methodist Church, Suitland; Rev. Frederick K. Weimert, American Baptist Church USA, Towson; Rev. Lauren M. Welch, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Edwin O. Wenck, United Church of Christ, Baltimore; Rev. Tammy Wooliver, Episcopal Priest, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Ira Zepp, U. Methodist Church, Westminster

How to Endorse the Statement on Equal Access to Marriage
(Only Christian Clergy who are able either to give a Maryland location of residence or a Maryland location of her/his ministry)

Fill out the form below and return it to:
Clergy for Marriage Equality
c/o That All May Freely Serve: Baltimore
PO Box 11091
Baltimore, MD 21212.

Yes, I am a Christian minister residing in or with a ministry in Maryland and I endorse the Statement on Equal Access to Marriage (hereinafter The Statement).

Please, print

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Yes, you may print my name in any public distribution of The Statement.

If Yes, please print your name and identifying information exactly as it should appear.

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Yes, I shall be willing to help defray the cost of placing an ad or ads in local print media. Please notify me when a decision is made to do so and let me know where to send a donation for this effort.

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