It's official: the Jasper United Church is now welcoming same-sex weddings under its roof.
In a vote, June 8, the congregation supported a new mission statement, which will allow Rev. Dawn Hermann to officiate weddings for same-sex couples.
鈥淚'm quite pleased,鈥� said Hermann, following the vote. 鈥淚t's good news.鈥�
Although the United Church of Canada already supports same-sex marriage, it is up to each congregation and the church board whether such unions are allowed in their own church.
Hermann, who has a background in biology and theology, spent two months educating her congregation on the United Church's stance on same-sex marriage ahead of the vote, in hopes of a positive result.
She explained that the impetus for the change was a request from a same-sex couple who hoped she would marry them in Jasper. That request came in back in 2012, and Hermann had to deny it because the congregation hadn't yet approved such unions.
鈥淚 felt terrible having to email them back and say I can't do it,鈥� she recalled.
So, that set the wheels in motion for change, and got Hermann working on an educational component for her Sunday services.
鈥淚f Jesus ate with outcasts and sinners, why would Christians be the ones to lean so hard against the [LGBT community]?鈥� she asked, noting that Christianity is based on love and tolerance.
The congregation's support was received with excitement from the Jasper Pride Festival Society.
J枚rg Michel said the society is 鈥渢hrilled.鈥�
鈥淭his is yet another sign how open and accepting people are here in Jasper. We want to thank Rev. Hermann for her leadership and the whole congregation for reaching out.
鈥淎nd now, let the wedding bells ring!鈥�
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
