Both the
Press-Citizen and
KCJJ report today about a new wedding option for gay and lesbian couples here in Iowa City. Iowa City is fortunate in that engaged gay and lesbian couples seeking to get married in this community currently has at least two or three potential options (including my own
Faith United Church of Christ). However,
another church has taken the step towards officiating at the weddings of gay and lesbian members or other interested parties:
First Baptist Church has become the first American Baptist Church in the state of Iowa to join the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. The church’s nearly 50 members were almost unanimous in their decision to join the AWAB and to begin hosting same-sex weddings.
The 500 Clinton St. church is one of 50 churches nationally belonging to the AWAB, which works to include LGBT individuals.
First Baptist Church, which is among the oldest churches in the city, has long held the motto of “An Open and Inclusive Community of Faith”. On their website the church says, “people of all ages, cultures, personal backgrounds, political affiliations, socio-economic circumstances and sexual orientations are welcome and active in this church."
The Press-Citizen notes that First Baptist Church has not yet officiated at any gay weddings yet. It was noted that their wedding policies for gay weddings will be the same as their policies for heterosexual weddings, though the article doesn't articulate those policies.
