Another Church Stops Performing Marriageshttp://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/14669032.htm
A second Minneapolis congregation of the United Church of Christ has voted to stop performing the civil function of marriage while allowing all couples — of opposite or same gender — to receive "the sacredness of a church wedding,'' it said in a statement.
More than two-thirds of the congregation of Mayflower Community Congregational Church approved the change Wednesday night. Minnesota law prohibits same-sex couples from marrying.
"Since many members of the Mayflower congregation feel that state marriage law discriminates against gay members of our congregation, the congregation has decided to separate itself (from) state law,'' the Rev. Sarah Campbell said in the statement.
Mayflower clergy will no longer sign marriage licenses. Couples marrying at the church who are eligible for civil marriage may have their union made legal by a county official.
The Lyndale United Church of Christ adopted the same policy earlier this year, as did White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church a few years ago.