Ashland church draws national attention for its stand on same-sex marriage

First Congregational United Church of Christ has received national attention since clergy members announced two weeks ago their decision to stop signing marriage licenses for heterosexual couples until they can do the same for same-sex partners.

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The Rev. Pam Shepherd said dozens of e-mails flowed into the church’s inbox — one from as far away as Scotland — and leaders of the three-state Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ suggested all churches in the conference consider making the same decision. In 2005, the national senate of the United Church of Christ voted to support equality for gays and lesbians.

For every negative response the church received there were ten positive reactions, Shepherd said.

One e-mail from Chicago, signed only Scott A., said the church’s decision had caused him to reconsider his position on religion.

“I do not consider myself a religious person and I do not identify with any faith (mainly because I’ve never felt accepted or welcome by any religion because I was gay) but this single act has made me rethink a lot of my core beliefs,” the e-mail read.

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Ken O’Neill, a writer and gay rights activist from New York City, contacted Shepherd because he felt connected by a common cause despite a 3,000-mile distance between the two.

“I was just so moved by it because I stopped attending weddings quite a few years ago,” he said in a phone interview Friday. “For so many years I’ve sort of felt like I’ve been alone in saying this and most people didn’t want to hear about it.”

Locally, the church’s four clergy members have also received plenty of feedback, said Rev. Dorothy Brooks.

“I’ve had several phone calls from somebody who said, ‘Oh, I’m so proud, so happy you’re doing this,’” she said. “I’m sure there are some people who are upset, but I personally haven’t run into that.”

Although the move has been hailed as a big step forward in the push for equal rights, the decision for the church council in the Ashland congregation was not difficult to reach, Shepherd said.

“When the decision was made, it was made very quickly,” she said, in contrast to the three-month debate on whether or not to include attendance sheets in the pews.

“We decided to do this in 24 hours and by a unanimous vote. We’re proud and grateful for the opportunity to do this.”

Video by Mandy Valencia | For the Tidings

Staff writer Julie French can be reached at 482-3456 ext. 227 or jfrench@dailytidings.com..