At the start of 2004, Gunpowder Friends renewed an active and deliberate process of collective discernment on the issue of marriage between people of the same gender.  Having labored over the issue in 1999 in response to Virginia Half Yearly Meeting's minute, we knew there remained differences of belief and perspective among Gunpowder Friends.  Guided by love and a trust in continuing revelation, we undertook a process of learning and prayerful listening to one another out of concern for the increasing divisiveness that so often characterizes the dialogue on this issue and for the suffering that arises from this divisiveness.

    First we gathered and read books, pamphlets, and articles that presented a wide range of perspectives on the issue of same-gender marriage.  In a forum, we discussed these readings, which provided a more solid foundation for our discernment.  There was particular interest in a Pendle Hill pamphlet by Leslie Hill entitled "Marriage," which chronicled Putney (Vermont) Monthly Meeting's journey to clearness and unity on this issue.  We focused several sessions of our monthly Quakerism classes on a discussion of this pamphlet and on historical and contemporary understandings of marriage among Friends, and found an early statement with which we resonated deeply: "For the right joining in marriage is the work of the Lord only, and not the priests and magistrates. . . for we marry none; it is the Lord's work, and we are but witnesses" (George Fox, 1669).

    With this dialogue ongoing, we chose to hold a worship sharing session on the issue.  In a spirit of love and openness, Friends shared their experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and concerns.  Some Friends are wholly supportive of same-gender marriages; others are concerned about legal issues surrounding such unions; others are hesitant to recognize homosexual love as divinely ordained; still others are living openly in committed and loving same-gender relationships. As we have labored together on the issue of same gender marriage, related and important issues have arisen from beyond our Meeting: differences in employment policies between Friends United Meeting and Friends General Council concerning leadership and ministerial roles for openly gay and lesbian Friends have generated much concern among constituent meetings, including our own; and a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman requires our full and careful attention.

    While unity on the issue of same gender marriage has not fully emerged, Friends at Gunpowder Monthly Meeting share the following minute as a record of our present discernment.

    We affirm that there is that of God in all people, and we therefore welcome all into full participation in our Meeting community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or sexual orientation.  We also welcome the partners and families of all to our Meeting community and its life.  By affirming and celebrating this diversity, we have a fuller experience of God and Godís love for all.  In accordance with Friends' historical testimonies, we seek to live this belief by both eliminating discrimination that arises because of differences in race, ethnicity, gender, age, or sexual orientation and by providing loving support to all individuals.

    This loving support takes on many forms, including encouraging one another in seeking God's direction in creating and sustaining loving, committed relationships with others.  Our experience affirms that committed relationships exist between different gender couples and same gender couples.  We remain open to continuing revelation as we labor together in love on the issue of same gender marriage.