As Methodists we believe all people are equal in God’s eyes, all people are made unique and precious, in the image of God, and all people are included within the gracious love of God, because we are all children of God.
Shildon Methodist Church is now registered for the solemnization of same-sex marriages.
In June 2021 the Methodist Conference passed a motion that give consent in principle to the marriage of same-sex couples on Methodist premises. The Conference decision followed consideration of a report on marriage and relationships, ‘God in Love Unites Us’, received by the Conference in 2019.
Following the Conference decision, a Special Church Council meeting of Shildon Methodist Church decided the Church would apply to register for the solemnization of same-sex marriages under section 43A of the Marriage Act 1949. It was also decided that the Minister for the Church, Reverend David Payne, be certified to the Registrar General and the Superintendent Registrar as the Authorised Person to be present at the marriages of same-sex couples in our Church, in accordance with Section 43B of the Marriage Act 1949.
In March 2022, the Church received confirmation from the General Register Office that Shildon Methodist Church has been registered for the solemnization of marriages of same-sex, as well as heterosexual, couples.