Oregon Synod ELCA Congregational Endorsement of the
Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative
Oregon Synod congregations who wish to endorse the Freedom to Marry and Religious
Protection Initiative are encouraged to do so! Endorsements are publically listed on the Oregon
United for Marriage’s Faith Coalition webpage – it would be great to see more ELCA
congregations listed. Support from the people of faith have been instrumental in passing similar
measures in other states.
Why endorse? It allows all Oregonians to see that people of faith – including Lutherans –
support this social justice issue of including same-gender couples in civil marriage here in
Oregon, as they are in 16 other states and the District of Columbia. Society does care about
what people of faith think about social issues. Silence on support of same-gender marriage is
often an assumption of opposition.
Before considering congregational endorsement, we strongly suggest that you bring the issue of
freedom to marry to your congregation for discussion, preferably over at least two sessions.
There is an Adult Study created just for this purpose – find it on the Oregon Synod Freedom to
Marry Resource Page.
If your congregation is motivated to become a public advocate of freedom to marry through
endorsement, consider how best to make that happen. Talk with your pastor and council
president to plan the best route. The primary route will likely be a congregational vote on a
formal or informal resolution, perhaps at a scheduled annual meeting before November 2014.
A template of a formal proposal is part of this document – please feel free to adapt it in any
way you wish to be useful to your congregation. Some congregations will want to remove the
formal “whereas.../be it resolved…” language, creating an informal written proposal. Other
congregations may choose to present the endorsement proposal verbally, rather than in
written form, to the congregation prior to a vote.
Alternatively, congregations may choose to endorse freedom to marry through a decision of
the council. If you select this route, we believe it is important that the congregation has been
involved in conversation about the issue and is able to take ownership of the endorsement.
If you have any questions, the Task Force for Freedom to Marry is here to help - just contact us
with your questions.
[sample resolution on next page]
Sample Resolution to Support Freedom to Marry
For All Committed Couples in Oregon
WHEREAS the State of Oregon has had a Constitutional Amendment since 2004 that specifically
excludes same-gender couples from civil marriage; and
WHEREAS the ballot measure, Freedom to Marry and Religion Protection, which removes
exclusions to civil marriage for same-gender couples in Oregon while maintaining the ability of
clergy/religious institutions to refuse to perform marriages, will be on the ballot for Oregon
voters in November 2014; and
WHEREAS we, as Christians, feel called to follow Christ’s example of seeking justice for all,
specifically including who are marginalized in society; and
WHEREAS “Lutherans long have affirmed that the public accountability of marriage, as
expressed through a legal contract, provides the necessary social support and social trust for
relationships that are intended to be sustained throughout life and within changing and often
challenging life situations.” (Human Sexuality, Gift and Trust, p. 19); and
WHEREAS the ELCA supports familial relationships as central to nurturing and sustaining trust
and security in human relationships and advocates for public policies that support and protect
families (Human Sexuality, Gift and Trust, p. 24); and
WHEREAS [congregation name] is a Reconciling in Christ congregation and part of a Reconciling
in Christ Synod, expressing our commitment to full inclusion of LGBT people in church and
society; [if applicable]
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT [congregation name] publically supports the freedom to
marry for all committed couples; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT [congregation name] joins the coalition of faith communities
who officially endorse Oregon United for Marriage, the campaign to win the freedom to marry
in Oregon. “We believe in an Oregon that supports strong families and values freedom and
equality. And we believe that marriage matters to all Oregonians.”
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT [congregation name] encourages continued conversation,
study, and acts of advocacy to bring about fairness in public policy for people who are lesbian,
gay, bisexual, or transgender.