Same sex weddings welcome

NORWAY — Dreaming of a church wedding? The congregation of First Universalist Church of Norway invites all same sex couples, who have dreamed of church weddings, to consider celebrating their vows in the beautiful historic sanctuary of First Universalist Church at 479 Main Street, Norway.

“We join everyone who supported the equal marriage ballot question in rejoicing over the passage of this important act which became law on December 29th,” said Gay De Hart, chair of the First Universalist Church board of directors.

Same sex couples are urged to contact the First Universalist Church at 743-2828 or at norwayuu@gwi.net to find out more about reserving the church for wedding ceremonies and receptions, and about the church’s affordable rental fees. The minister, Rev. Fayre Stephenson, is available to officiate or couples may select their own officiants.

First Universalist Church of Norway is one of hundreds of Unitarian Universalist congregations recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation.  The Welcoming Congregation Program is a volunteer program for Unitarian Universalist congregations that want to take intentional steps to become more welcoming and inclusive of people with marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities.

First launched in 1990, the program grew out of an understanding that widespread prejudices and ignorance about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people exists in society and even within Unitarian Universalism, which sadly had resulted in the exclusion of LGBTQ people from congregations.

Several years ago the congregation of First Universalist Church, having completed the year-long series of Welcoming Congregation workshops, voted unanimously to petition the Unitarian Universalist Association to be recognized as a Welcoming Congregation.