British religious programme Songs of Praise, for the first time, has featured a same-sex wedding in the episode screened today across the UK.
The wedding of Ian McDowall, 40 and Jamie Wallace, 28, actually took place in front of the BBC cameras last month but today gets its first airing on national TV.
The wedding was conducted at the Rutherglen United Reformed Church in Glasgow and filmed for the tv show that has been on air since 1961.
The pair are the first same-sex couple to marry at the church after the local congregation gave its backing.
The couple tied the knot at their church surrounded by friends, family and BBC cameras.
Speaking on Songs of Praise Wallace explained that Jesus preaches about love, inclusion, kindness, compassion.
“A good lady who comes to this church told us in one of our discussions, people will change, and don’t underestimate older people, either,” Wallace explained.
“They just need to think about it, and they’ll get there one day.”
He told Glasgow’s Sunday Post: “As a committed Christian, being able to marry the man I love with all my heart and soul, before God, in the church I love, with my family, friends and the congregation around us, is something I’ve dreamed of.
“Now it’s actually happened, I’m proud my church is welcoming and open to same-sex couples.”
David Pickering, the moderator of the United Reformed Church of Scotland, said the United Reformed Church of Scotland is open and welcome to all, regardless of their sexuality, gender or race.
“There have been some who oppose same-sex marriage, and they give traditional biblical values as their reason,” Mr Pickering said.
“But, for me, grace, love, justice and inclusivity is what traditional biblical values are all about.”
The United Reformed Church is one of a few denominations in the UK to permit same-sex unions, alongside the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Quakers, the Unitarian church and Liberal Judaism.
The Methodist Church in the UK and Church of Scotland among other denominations reviewing changes that would open the door to permitting same-sex weddings.
Last Updated on Aug 19, 2019
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