Hove Methodist Church to host first same-sex marriage this summer

The Reverend Andy Lowe, Minister at Hove Methodist Church in Portland Road, said he hopes the ceremony will show that the church is “open and inclusive”.

The church council voted in favour of taking this step following a decision by the Methodist Conference last year to give local churches the option to conduct same-sex marriages.

Hove Methodist Church in Portland Road

Reverend Lowe said: “Marriage in church is a special milestone in life for many and as a church community we are delighted that we are now able to welcome same-sex couples for marriage ceremonies.

“We hope this sends out a clear message to all in the community that the Methodist church is here for all.

"Our first same-sex marriage is already booked for June”

The Church Council has also given its consent for services of blessing for same-sex couples who are already married, to take place in the church.

Hove Methodist Church in Portland Road

Reverend Lowe said: “I would encourage anyone considering marriage or wishing for a blessing to get in touch with us via phone or email or to come to one of our Sunday services where they would receive a warm welcome and could meet our church community and talk to me after the service over a cup of coffee.”

The Methodist Church in Britain is the largest national Christian denomination to have voted for same-sex marriage.

In June 2021, 29 out of the 30 Methodist Synods in Britain confirmed they were in support of provisional resolutions to allow same-sex marriage to get married on their premises.

The current membership of the Methodist Church of Britain is 164,000, making it the fourth-largest denomination of Christian Churches in the UK.

The vote in favour of the resolution was passed by the Conference with 254 votes in favour versus 46 against.

Campaign group Dignity and Worth, which champions the LGBTQ+ community in the Methodist Church described the decision as a “momentous step on the road to justice and inclusion”.