The Oxford Union Association of the United Church of Christ voted recently to affirm the spiritual and legal right of all people to marry.
At its semi-annual meeting Oct. 21, delegates voted to affirm equal access for all couples, regardless of gender, to the basic rights, institutional protections and quality of life conferred by the recognition of marriage.
Specifically the delegates felt all people made in God’s image have the right to lead lives that express love, justice, consent, mutuality, commitment and pleasure.
With the understanding that marriage strengthens the bonds of family, promotes the welfare of children and benefits the larger community, the delegates felt all individuals have the right to marry in the state of Maine.
Theologically and biblically, there is no justification for denying any covenanted couples the blessings of the church or equal protection under the law that marriage provides. And that all individuals have a right to have a civil marriage license recognized and respected by all civil entities.
Therefore the delegates to the Oxford Union Association of the United Church of Christ stand in support of Question 1 in the Nov. 6 election, affirming the right for all to marry.
Jane Chandler, Bryant Pond, scribe
Oxford Union Association,
Maine Conference United Church of Christ
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