First Parish's Committment
to Equal Marriage

We support the right of same sex couples to legal civil marriage, with all of the benefits, protections, and responsibilities it entails. We see this as a significant issue of equality and freedom, and are opposed to discrimination against any group of people in so basic an area of human dignity. As a religious community, we affirm the goodness of loving mutual relationships and declare that our church is a place in which lesbian and gay marriages will be blessed and celebrated.

We also support the granting of licenses to same sex couples from out-of-state and encourage our town clerks to avoid any form of discrimination in the issuing of marriage licenses.

Services for Gay and Lesbian Couples

During this historic time of the first civil marriages for gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts, we have added the following services to help couples who wish to have a simple ceremony to solemnize your legal marriage.

For very simple weddings with under 20 people, and with no rehearsal:

• Minister's fee has been reduced to $150
• Use of the church sanctuary reduced to $400
• We also have a gazebo which may be used for up to 10 people, $100

Several couples together may share the cost of space rental, but each must pay the fee to the minister.

Wedding Help for Out-of-State Couples

If you are an out-of-state couple considering marriage, we encourage you to read further about the legal ramifications at:

http://www.glad.org/marriage/howtogetmarried.html