FINAL VERSION
Resolution:C017
Title:Supporting Same Gender Relationships
Topic:Liturgy
Committee:13 - Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:Diocese of Northern California

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 76th General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop and authorize same-sex union blessing rites.


EXPLANATION

Blessings are the province of the church as a communal recognition of God's love for His children. This proposal is to bring to reality the blessings of the church to couples in same-sex committed relationships.

The Episcopal Church, along with many other main-line churches in the United States, has already developed proposals to recognize LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people as full members of the church. However those proposals are just that, proposals. This resolution will move 'proposals' into reality.

As of this writing, eleven dioceses have already approved official, written policies allowing the blessing of same-sex relationships:
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware (Bishop Wright's office will only provide a copy to other bishops)
Long Island
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Utah
Vermont
Washington

Many Northern California Episcopalians, including the proposers of these resolutions, know gay and lesbian Christians in the Church who are living in same-gender relationships of mutuality and fidelity, many of whom have been in relationship well over twenty years. We experience these persons to be leading lives of Christian Discipleship and servanthood and discern that their relationships evidence the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

By passing this resolution, we call upon the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California to state that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people are children of God and that The Episcopal Church should grant them every blessing The Church confers upon other members.