The Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte’s two worship services will also be led by several same-gender couples within the congregation. Following the services, receptions with celebratory “Love Won” cakes will be held.
“Unitarian Universalists have been at the forefront of the struggle for marriage equality,” Pastor Jay Leach said in a release. “Together we endured an injustice directly affecting loving, committed same-sex couples within our congregation for years. Together we experienced the sorrow of the passage of Amendment One. Now that our long held ideal has been realized, it is time for us to celebrate together as a congregation.”
In addition to the Charlotte Pride Band, Director of Music John Herrick will lead the congregation’s adult choir, with accompaniment by Scott Whitesell and singer-songwriter and recording artist Rev. Melissa Mummert.
Two of the church’s members, Lee Knight Caffery and Dana Draa, were plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought against North Carolina’s anti-LGBT amendment by the ACLU of North Carolina. The couple plans to be wed at the church soon.
The local church has a long history of support for marriage equality. In 2003, Leach announced he would not sign marriage licenses for any couples until the LGBT couples were granted the legal right to marry in North Carolina.
“While I have conducted wedding ceremonies,” Leach explained in a release, “I have not participated in the legal process aware that the North Carolina continued to claim some couples’ love mattered while others did not.”
The community is invited to attend and participate. The two services will be held at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. tomorrow at 234 N Sharon Amity Rd.
info: uuccharlotte.org