At its recent Assembly meeting the Uniting Church in Australia acknowledged two different ethical standards held by its members in relation to sexual relationships.  One is summed up in the phrase "Celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage." The other is "Right Relationship." The Assembly did not endorse either ethical standard.

Friends of Unity, a group within the Uniting Church in South Australia and affiliated nationally, with Uniting Network, holds to the ethic of "Right Relationship" - our sexuality is to be expressed in relationships of mutual respect, trust, equality, faithfulness, giving and receiving pleasure and, responsibility.  We affirm marriage which is to be characterised by these qualities as are same sex relationships.

We believe this ethical standard is consistent with Jesus' life and teaching of a community built on justice-love.  In Jesus we see God's unconditional love and justice which includes all people especially those who are on the margins or excluded.  Jesus brought those people into the community and gave them a special place.  In the same way we believe the church needs to include, affirm and celebrate the lives of such people in our day.  Thus gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people have an equal place with heterosexual people, refugees and people of other cultures and races.  We give thanks for those congregations who welcome and affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, value their ministries and fully include them in the life of the Church.

We affirm that people whose convictions differ from ours have an equal and honoured place in the Church.  We do not want to see anyone leave the Uniting Church.

We are pleased to be part of a church that can honestly say that it has not been able to find agreement yet also seeks to work together as servants of the living God.  The Assembly's decisions make no change to existing Uniting Church policy and do not represent a huge step forward for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Christians.

Acknowledging that we all have much to learn, we believe that we need to walk together in respectful, honest dialogue, knowing that we have the gift of the Spirit in order that we may not lose the way.

Friends of Unity Executive.
2 August 2003

At its recent Assembly meeting the Uniting Church in Australia acknowledged two different ethical standards held by its members in relation to sexual relationships.  One is summed up in the phrase "Celibacy in singleness and faithfulness in marriage.' The other is "Right Relationship." The Assembly did not endorse either ethical standard.

Friends of Unity, a group within the Uniting Church in South Australia and affiliated nationally, with Uniting Network, holds to the ethic of "Right Relationship" - our sexuality is to be expressed in relationships of mutual respect, trust, equality, faithfulness, giving and receiving pleasure and, responsibility.  We affirm marriage which is to be characterised by these qualities as are same sex relationships.

We believe this ethical standard is consistent with Jesus' life and teaching of a community built on justice-love.  In Jesus we see God's unconditional love and justice which includes all people especially those who are on the margins or excluded.  Jesus brought those people into the community and gave them a special place.  In the same way we believe the church needs to include, affirm and celebrate the lives of such people in our day.  Thus gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people have an equal place with heterosexual people, refugees and people of other cultures and races.  We give thanks for those congregations who welcome and affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, value their ministries and fully include them in the life of the Church.

We affirm that people whose convictions differ from ours have an equal and honoured place in the Church.  We do not want to see anyone leave the Uniting Church.

Acknowledging that we all have much to learn, we believe that we need to walk together in respectful, honest dialogue, knowing that we have the gift of the Spirit in order that we may not lose the way.

Friends of Unity Executive.
August 2003