PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WNMC WELCOMING STATEMENT

I am pleased that time has been set aside at the congregation's AGM for members and adherents to speak with each other and make a decision about the statement that has been proposed by CMC and Ministry Team. I have a couple of suggestions for amendments/improvements. Because it is not clear how much time for discussion will actually be available at the meeting, I am posting the proposals in the hope of getting constructive feedback in advance. 

THE STATEMENT: At Waterloo North Mennonite Church we welcome all people to participate in our Christian community of faith with all its expectations, responsibilities, and opportunities regardless of their race, ethnic background, gender, age, sexual orientation, income, education, ability or any other factors that give rise to discrimination and marginalization.

PROPOSAL #1: Delete the reference to "age" from the statement.

Reason: The Mennonite/Anabaptist movement began with an act of discrimination based on age. For various reasons, Mennonites do not baptize individuals until they are of the age of accountability (and children are not full participants in communion). I am sure it is not intended by anyone that this statement should be interpreted to reverse that core element of Mennonite practice. It might be possible to craft exceptions or qualifications to address this issue. However, given that "age" has not been a live issue in this series of discussions, it would be simplest to remove the reference.

PROPOSAL #2: Add the following clarification to the end of the statement: "This means a request to be married should not be rejected on the basis that it is submitted by a same-sex couple."

Reason: The core issue that has driven the debate and the development of the statement is the question of marriage. The congregation ought to specifically address the issue. The statement should be crystal clear on the question. Most importantly, same-sex couples, should they wish to be part of the congregation, or wish to be married at the congregation, should not be left guessing as to whether their sexual orientation will be an issue.

POSTSCRIPT: I actually have serious reservations about the overall approach of the statement (See my June 15, 2015 blog post: Next Mennonite? Century). However, it is high time something clear, concise and public was said by our congregation about same-sex marriage. That means that if something along the lines of Proposal #2 is included, I will likely support the statement. My final caveat, is that I really wish WNMC had engaged in a conversation about theology of marriage, as it applies to same sex couples, and that we had done some serious thinking about how a move like this affects our congregation's relationship with other MCEC congregations and conference policies. Perhaps it would be a good idea to defer the decision long enough to take the time to have such a conversation, but not if it were merely an excuse to procrastinate

Waterloo North's Statement of Welcome & Inclusion

The Statement of Welcome & Inclusion under consideration at Waterloo North Mennonite Church proposes a response by this congregation to the question of same-sex relationships. It announces a welcome to all people in general, and expresses an intention to not discriminate on the basis of a number of categories, including sexual orientation. A copy of the proposed statement is replicated at the end of this post (it has not yet been approved by the congregation). I have a few concerns about the implications of this statement.

Autocracy of Consensus and Dignity of Dissent

I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:15-16)

There is so much handwringing going on in Mennonite circles about same-sex relationships, the threat to church unity and the possibility of raised voices, that we are forgetting the point. We are confronted; we have been confronted for several decades, by persons who by their very presence ask whether the church will embrace them not just as individuals, but as couples. They have grown old, waiting for our response. Our deliberations have grown tired.

Perhaps at one point this hesitation could be forgiven. Once, Mennonites had reputation for schism, harsh separation and (I hear) authoritarianism. Since then, we have preferred to characterize ourselves as communities epitomized by sensitivity and potlucks. Who wants to disrupt a family dinner with politics and religion? Why force a question that may polarize and disrupt? Well, we have had our chance and more than enough time to find an easier way. The thing is, this is not about "us". It is not about unity. It is about the responsibility of the church to answer, with integrity, those who have been knocking at the door for much too long. If forming a response results in discomfort, conflict, strained relationships, and perhaps separation, we may just have to take our medicine.

Responding to Same-Sex Relationships

A MOTION RELATING TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

COMMENTARY: Three members of Waterloo North Mennonite Church (WNMC), Mandy Witmer, Ross Willard, and Russel Snyder-Penner, have met on a number occasions to craft a proposal on how their congregation could move forward on the narrow question of same-sex marriage. The document below is the result. It is not entirely clear how a proposal such as this ought to be considered and decided at WNMC. In the absence of clear precedent it has been framed as motion to be made at a members' meeting of the congregation.

WHEREAS:

At present Mennonite Church Eastern Canada does not recognize same-sex

marriages nor sanction the marriage of same-sex couples by their member

congregations;

A significant portion of the congregation of Waterloo North Mennonite Church

wants our church to recognize and be prepared to perform the marriage of

same-sex couples;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. The congregation of Waterloo North Mennonite Church will recognize

and honor marriages of same-sex couples and invoke God's blessings upon

them.

COMMENTARY: This paragraph should not be interpreted as meaning the congregation will perform marriages of same-sex couples. Rather, it is a response to the fact that in Canada same-sex couples may legally marry, and that such couples may wish to be present in our congregations. Paragraph 1 represents an affirmation of those relationships, while remaining deferential to the present position of Mennonite Church  Eastern Canada with respect to performing marriages.

2. The congregation of Waterloo North Mennonite Church calls on

Mennonite Church Eastern Canada to authorize our ministers to perform

the marriage of same-sex couples.

COMMENTARY: Our  congregation has a responsibility to both the broader church (specifically, Mennonite Church  of Eastern Canada) and to same-sex couples. If this congregation concludes that it ought to be willing to  perform marriages for same-sex couples, it may honour both responsibilities by remaining subject to the authority of Mennonite Church  of Eastern Canada on the question, while clearly and unambiguously calling for a change to MCEC's opposition to the marriage of same-sex couples by its ministers.