Methodist churches not all agreed on same-sex marriage

But some Methodist churches in Guernsey have not yet decided if they wish to go down the same route.

The Rev. David Stolton, of the Sark Methodist Church, welcomed the decision, and was personally very pleased with the change.

‘We welcome the equality this allows to any couple seeking marriage on Sark, whilst respecting and loving those who may hold different views,’ the Churches of Sark said in a Facebook post.

On a national level, Mr Stolton said the Methodist Church Conference decided, in June 2021, to ‘confirm the principles’ of same-sex marriages in Methodist churches, and by its clergy, during a conversation about the church’s role and position on a variety of non-traditional relationships.

The conference gave the power to individual churches and ministers to decide whether or not they would condone same-sex ceremonies.

Howard Stringer, the superintendent minister for the Bailiwick of Guernsey Methodist Church Circuit, said some of the Methodist Churches in Guernsey have since decided to allow same-sex ceremonies.

‘The official statement is that some churches have voted in favour of same-sex ceremonies in Guernsey,’ he said.

‘I don’t want to name names – it’s not a secret, but we don’t want to promote division.

‘I welcome the decision personally, but some churches just haven’t made a decision yet.’

Mr Stringer said same-sex couples who want to be married in a Methodist church can contact the Greffe for information about which churches and ministers will perform LGBTQ ceremonies.

Mr Stolton said it was a sensitive topic for all churches.

‘As we look at marriage and relationships in our modern culture, I have great empathy toward all parties.

‘We want to love and accept everyone, even those with different opinions.

‘The Methodist Church wisely decided to be as inclusive as possible.’

Mr Stringer clarified that the Methodist conference had decided to add a new definition of marriage in addition to the traditional one man-one woman definition.

He clarified that no church or minister would be forced to hold same-sex ceremonies against their will or conscience.