Winston Salem NC church gay marriage Green Street United - | WBTV Charlotte

NC Church: No marriages of any kind until state recognizes gay marriage

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (WBTV) -

A church in Winston-Salem has decided not to allow marriages of any kind until their denomination and the state of North Carolina allow same sex marriages.

Members of the Leadership Council of Green Street United Methodist Church released their statement on marriage Sunday afternoon in the church sanctuary.

"On the matter of same-sex marriage, Green Street UMC sees injustice in the legal position of state government and the theological position of our denomination. North Carolina prohibits same-sex marriage and all the rights and privileges marriage brings," according to the statement released by the church. 

The Leadership Council has asked that their ministers join others who refuse to sign any State marriage licenses until this right is granted to same- sex couples.

"Because the United Methodist Church prohibits its pastors from conducting same- sex weddings, excluding gay and lesbian couples from the holy sacrament of marriage, the Leadership Council has asked the pastor to refrain from conducting wedding ceremonies in our sanctuary for straight couples, until the denomination lifts its ban for same-sex couples," according to the church.

Green Street UMC is presently the only Reconciling Congregation in the Western North Carolina Conference. With a growing number of LGBTQ members, Green Street seeks to be a public witness to its community, Conference and denomination.

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