Bering Church denounces the recent decision of the Texas Supreme Court to allow judges to discriminate against LGBTQ persons by refusing to perform same gender weddings based on religious beliefs.
The recent decision of the Texas Supreme Court allowing judges to refuse to officiate weddings based on religious beliefs institutionalizes religious bias against the LGBTQ community. It is not only legally flawed, but an abdication of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bering has stood for over 50 years for the equal rights of LGBTQ persons under the law and in the church, including the right to marry, and will continue to do so. To all LGBTQ persons, the decision of the Texas Supreme Court is an offense to your personhood and dignity. It is also contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and a violation of your civil rights. It is a blatant example of state-sanctioned religious bias that dishonors your fundamental worth. It also sets dangerous legal precedent, allowing the religious bias of an individual to override their obligation to uphold the civil rights of all members of our society. Rest assured, Bering Church will continue to officiate and celebrate ALL marriages that are entered into in love and fidelity without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. We will also continue to advocate for equal rights under the law, not only for the LGBTQ community, but also for all communities that are being marginalized and persecuted by our government and religious institutions and leaders who are causing harm in the name of Jesus or any other religious doctrine. Today, Rev. Diane McGehee and Bering Memorial United Church of Christ join Dr. Neil Thomas and Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, in denouncing the recent decision of the Texas Supreme Court to allow judges to discriminate against same gender couples.
That statement can be found at the following link:
We stand together for all of us, for we are all beloved children of God in all of our identity.
All Are Welcome Here
Affirming.
Inclusive.
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8:30 AM – Small group casual
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What We Believe
If you are a first-time guest at Bering or a long-time member,
You are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!
If you are black, brown, white, or anything in between,
You are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!
If you are gay, straight, bisexual, lesbian, transgender,
You are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!
If you are a Native American or an immigrant friend, whether or not you have documents,
You are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!
If you are lay or clergy, male, female, or non-gender binary, young or old, abled or differently-abled, rich or poor, short or tall, wide or deep,
You are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!
No matter what you believe or what you doubt . . .
No matter what you count on, or what you question . . .
You are not only welcome here, you are celebrated here!
At Bering, we celebrate you as a gift of the Creator
and an individual wonder of God’s creation.
You are enough! You are a gift! God made us each unique and wants us to celebrate our identity and worth.
We need God, and we need each other. With the help of Jesus and each other, we can become all that God created us to be. And that is a good thing!
We were made for community. The church is a community that gathers to celebrate and help one another, and the world, obtain what we need to thrive and become all that God created us to be. We do this through worship, service, prayer, gathering, sharing our gifts, and sharing a meal. We would love for you to bring your gifts and come celebrate and serve with us!
Everyone needs a safe place to be their authentic selves. Church was meant to be such a place. Whether you have a good, bad, or no history with church, Bering is a safe place for you, just as you are.