Theology
- Submitted by: loida
- Views: 752
- Category: History: Religion
- Date Submitted: 09/28/2011 07:13 AM
- Pages: 41
- Report this Essay
Claiming the Blessing
“I will bless you so that you will be a blessing.”
— GENESIS 12.2 The General Convention of the U.S. Episcopal Church resolved in 1976 that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church.” Since that time great strides toward realizing that “full and equal” claim have been taken. There are a growing number of places in the church where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) persons are welcomed, affirmed in their ministries and blessed in their committed relationships. There are, however, many more places where they are still not fully included in the life of the church. A coalition of leading justice organizations in the Episcopal Church — Integrity, Beyond Inclusion and diocesan Oasis ministries — along with numerous individual leaders, are determined to see the 1976 resolution become a reality. To that end, this partnership, called “Claiming the Blessing” (www.claimingtheblessing.org), has committed itself to obtaining approval at the 2003 GenClaiming the Blessing 132 N. Euclid Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101-1796 www.claimingtheblessing.org tel: (626)583-2740
eral Convention of a liturgical rite of blessing, celebrating the holy love in faithful relationships between couples for whom marriage is not available, enabling couples in these relationships to see in each other the image of God.
www.claimingtheblessing.org
Claiming the Blessing
1
Claiming the A Message
By The Rev. Michael W. Hopkins, President, Integrity & Member, Executive Committee of Claiming the Blessing
What is this movement about?
It is about being clear. It is about being transparent. It is about witnessing. It is about how the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit compels us. It is about our love for the Church. This is my message to the Church at large and, in particular, certain...
“I will bless you so that you will be a blessing.”
— GENESIS 12.2 The General Convention of the U.S. Episcopal Church resolved in 1976 that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church.” Since that time great strides toward realizing that “full and equal” claim have been taken. There are a growing number of places in the church where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) persons are welcomed, affirmed in their ministries and blessed in their committed relationships. There are, however, many more places where they are still not fully included in the life of the church. A coalition of leading justice organizations in the Episcopal Church — Integrity, Beyond Inclusion and diocesan Oasis ministries — along with numerous individual leaders, are determined to see the 1976 resolution become a reality. To that end, this partnership, called “Claiming the Blessing” (www.claimingtheblessing.org), has committed itself to obtaining approval at the 2003 GenClaiming the Blessing 132 N. Euclid Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101-1796 www.claimingtheblessing.org tel: (626)583-2740
eral Convention of a liturgical rite of blessing, celebrating the holy love in faithful relationships between couples for whom marriage is not available, enabling couples in these relationships to see in each other the image of God.
www.claimingtheblessing.org
Claiming the Blessing
1
Claiming the A Message
By The Rev. Michael W. Hopkins, President, Integrity & Member, Executive Committee of Claiming the Blessing
What is this movement about?
It is about being clear. It is about being transparent. It is about witnessing. It is about how the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit compels us. It is about our love for the Church. This is my message to the Church at large and, in particular, certain...