Texas Clergy Affirm Equal Marriage Rights
Faith leaders across Texas are invited to sign on and stand together in affirming that all Love is holy.
As clergy and faith leaders representing diverse religious traditions across Texas, we write in deep concern and moral opposition to the Texas Supreme Court's addition of a new comment to Canon 4 of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct stating that it is not a violation of the Code for a judge to publicly refrain from performing a wedding ceremony based upon a sincerely held religious belief.
We believe this new comment undermines both the spirit of equality under the law and the sacred truth that all human beings reflect the Divine image of the One who created us. Love, commitment, and the desire to form a life partnership are holy gifts — not privileges reserved for some and denied to others.
Judges take an oath to uphold the laws and the Constitution of the United States. The Code requires judges to follow the law to promote public confidence in the law and its application to all. Marriage equality for different sex, same sex, and interracial couples is the law of the land. Judges refusing to perform a legal wedding on moral or religious grounds ignore the law they have sworn to uphold. To permit judges the right to refuse to perform marriages for some couples but not others under the guise of religious or personal belief is wrong and discriminatory. Furthermore, it not only diminishes the dignity of all of us and undermines the religious authority of faith leaders, but it erodes trust in the impartiality that is the foundation of our country's system of justice.
Our faith traditions vary in doctrine and ritual, but we stand united in affirming that every human being deserves respect, affirmation, and the full recognition of their humanity. We hold that marriage — between two adults who commit to love, honor, and cherish one another — is worthy of blessing and celebration regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Therefore, in the face of the Texas Supreme Court's action, we affirm our unwavering commitment:
We will continue to perform and bless same-sex marriages for all who seek them.
We do so as an act of faith, conscience, and love. In our sanctuaries, on sacred ground, and in the sight of the Divine, all are welcome, and all Love is holy.
"May justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." — Amos 5:24
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Signatories
- Cantor Sheri AllenMakom Shelanu Congregation, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Dr. Whitney Wilkinson ArrecheEmmanuel Presbyterian Church, Bedford, TX
- Rev. Holly BandelFirst United Methodist Church, Sachse, TX
- Rev. Erin BarnesOpen Table UMC, Mansfield, TX
- Rev. Jenny BatesThe Denton Wesley Foundation, Denton, TX
- Rev. Nicole BatesNorthPark Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX
- Dr. Michael A. BellGreater St. Stephen First Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Dr. Stephen CadyBrite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX
- The Rev. Karen A. CalafatSt. Luke's in the Meadow Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, TX
- The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth CallenderSt. Stephen Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Dr. Natalya CherryBrite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-SolesDallas, TX
- Rev. Tim CliffordArlington Heights UMC, Fort Worth, TX
- Rabbi Kimberly Herzog CohenTemple Emanu-El, Dallas, TX
- Rabbi Michael Tevya CohenDallas, TX
- Rabbi Holly Levin CohnBeth El Binah, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Dottie L. CookDisciples of Christ
- Rabbi Heidi CoretzHillel at SMU, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Dr. Ken G. CrawfordInstitute for Vital Ministry
- Pastor Armel CrockerFaith United Presbyterian Church, Farmers Branch, TX
- Rev. Beth DanaFirst Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX
- Rev. Jennifer Baergen DavisBroadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Kenny DicksonKing of Glory Lutheran Church, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Amos DisasaFirst Presbyterian Church of Dallas
- Rev. Ken EhrkeUnited Church of Christ, Arlington, TX (retired)
- Rabbi Gideon EstesCongregation Or Ami, Houston, TX
- Rev. T. J. FitzGeraldFirst Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX
- Rev. Dr. Charles L. FullerWilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
- The Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D.Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX
- puck glassMakom Shelanu Congregation, Fort Worth, TX (rabbinic intern)
- Rev. Dr. Katherine GodbyDisciples of Christ, Arlington, TX (retired)
- Rev. David GrebelCelebration Community Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Bishop Erik K.J. Gronberg, Ph.D.Northern Texas–Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA
- Rev. Tripp GulledgeSouthern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Roger A. HarwerthRidglea Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- The Rev. Virginia HollemanThe Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Dallas, TX (retired)
- Rev. Charles Foster JohnsonBread, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Remington JohnsonPresbyterian Church (USA), Austin, TX
- Rev. Dr. Daniel C. KanterFirst Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX
- Rabbi Nancy KastenDallas, TX
- Rev. Lori King-NelsonAll Peoples Church UU, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Kristin KladeKyrie Pub Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Isaac LawsonFirst Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Jessie Light-WellsFirst Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Allison Sandlin LilesSt. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Hurst, TX
- Rabbi Susan E. LippeAustin, TX
- Rev. Dr. Alan LobaughFort Worth, TX
- Rev. Debra Loudin-MccannNTNL Synod ELCA
- Rev. Dr. George A. MasonWilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, TX (Senior Pastor Emeritus)
- Michelle MatulaTexas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), Austin, TX
- Rabbi Ralph MecklenburgerBeth-El Congregation, Fort Worth, TX (Rabbi Emeritus)
- Rev. Dr. Robyn MichaloveFirst Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Amy W. MooreNorthPark Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX
- Almas MuscatwallaFaith Forward Dallas
- Rev. Katie NewsomeUnion Coffee, Dallas, TX
- Elizabeth PassThe Welcome Table Christian Church, Arlington, TX
- Collin PackerProject Agape, Carrollton, TX
- Rabbi Andrew PaleyTemple Shalom, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Diane PenningtonFaith and Grief, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Dr. Timothy PeoplesWilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Jonathan PerryArapaho United Methodist Church, Richardson, TX
- The Reverend Tom PlumbleyFirst Christian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- The Very Reverend Ronald D. PogueThe Episcopal Church, Arlington, TX
- Rev. Jeremy PopeGalileo Christian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Kyle PowellUniversity Christian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- The Rev. Chad PresleyWestside Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Victoria Robb PowersRoyal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Ryon PriceBroadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Rabbi Adam RoffmanCongregation Shearith Israel, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Jeremy RoseCathedral of Hope, United Church of Christ, Dallas, TX
- Rabbi Amy RosselTemple Emanu-El, Dallas, TX
- Rabbi Seymour RosselTemple Emanu-El, Dallas, TX (retired)
- Rabbi Sydni Adler RubinsteinCongregation Beth Torah, Richardson, TX
- Rev. Dr. Irie Lynne SessionThe Gathering, A Womanist Church, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Ashley Anne SipeVista Ridge United Methodist Church, Lewisville, TX
- Rev. Dr. Greg SmithSo What Faith, Arlington, TX
- Rev. Cathy SweeneyArapaho United Methodist Church, Richardson, TX
- Rabbi Ari SunshineCongregation Shearith Israel, Dallas, TX
- The Rev. Rebecca TankersleyEpiscopal Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, TX
- The Rev. Christopher Blake ThomasEpiscopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Dr. Neil G. ThomasCathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, Dallas, TX
- Tanner TraskWestside Unitarian Universalist Church, Fort Worth, TX (minister in training)
- Michelle Venegas-MatulaTexas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), Austin, TX
- Rev. Ryan WagerOak Lawn United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX
- Rabbi Shira WallachCongregation Shearith Israel, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Kristin WarthenSt. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX
- Rev. Ginger WatsonMeadowbrook-Poly UMC, Fort Worth, TX
- Cantor Hallie WeinerTemple Emanu-El, Dallas, TX
- Reverend Carol WestFort Worth, TX (retired)
- Rev. Ann WilletNorthaven United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX
- Rev. Jeremy L. Williams, Ph.D.Brite's Center for Theology and Justice, Fort Worth, TX
- Rev. Dr. Mary WilsonAustin, TX (retired UCC minister)
- Rev. Jami YandleUnitarian Universalist Association, Austin, TX
- Rabbi Brian ZimmermanFort Worth, TX
- Rev. Yinessa RomeroHurst, TX