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Vermont Bishop Thhmas Ely

 

BY EUAN BEAR

s OITM went to print, Vermont
ABishop Thomas Ely met individu-

ally with press representatives in
Montpelier to release three proposed rites
for blessing same-gender unions. The
liturgies are the fruit of more than a year’s
work by a task force appointed by the pro-
gressive Vermont bishop.

The released document is called
“A Report to the Bishop and People of the
Episcopal Diocese of Vermont from the
Task Force on the Blessing of Persons
Living in Same-Gender Relationships.”
Ken Poppe, dean of the Cathedral Church
of St. Paul in Burlington, was co-chair of
the task force.

Even though clergy in the
Vennont Diocese have been blessing civil
unions with the bishop’s permission for
four years, the report is considered
groundbreaking “because it gives explicit
permission — which will be shared across
the country — for the blessing of same-
gender relationships,” according to an
email message from Rev. Tanya Wallace
of St. Paul’s. The report includes a theo-
logical statement, a new diocesan policy,
trial liturgies for same—gender blessings,

and resources for congregations and cou-
ples.

At last year’s national conven-
tion, a proposal to create a nationwide
liturgy (essentially an approved script) for
same-gender marriages or civil unions was
tabled. Instead, the question was lefi up to
individual dioceses.

According to an “executive sum-
mary” released in advance of the post-
press-time news conference, “The task
force report offers liturgies for trial use
that will bring the celebration of Holy
Union” — comparable to “Holy
Matrimony” — “into the life of common
prayer in the Diocese of Vermont.”
Further, the task force will provide
resources for congregations on issues of
human sexuality and intimacy, and for
clergy and couples preparing for both
Holy Matrimony and Holy Union.”

The summary cited the Anglican
church’s approach to applying theology
and scripture to issues of current life, an
approach that involves “using our human
capacity to leam about our world and to
bring that learning into conversation with
scripture and theological and liturgical tra-
dition. This process,” the summary contin-
ues, “has led the Church over the centuries
to change its practice about issues such as
slavery, usury and the ordination of women.”

The statement provided a context
for interpreting scripture: “We are suspi-
cious of claims that there can be any one
right reading, for all readers see through
the lenses of their own backgrounds and
cultural circumstances.  We believe the
Church should, and will, come to an
understanding that the few biblical pas-
sages that seem to address same—sex sexu-
al activity do not speak to the reality of
faithful, loving relationships between per-
sons of the same gender who identify as
gay or lesbian.”

Gay Bishop to Preach on
Pride Day

The first openly gay member of the
Episcopal clergy to be elected and conse-
crated as a diocesan bishop, V. Gene
Robinson of the diocese of New
Hampshire, will preach at an Evensong
service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Pride
Day, July 10. The service begins at 3:30
p.m. and is open to all, regardless of faith
or orientation.

Bishop Robinson, whose conse-
cration was supported by Vennont’s
Bishop Thomas Ely, is making his first
appearance as Bishop at a Vennont Pride
Day event. The bishop was away at press
time and could not be reached for com-
ment.

 

EPISCOPAL  
BLESSINGS

v'r Diocese First in Nationto
Issue Liturgy for
Same-Sex ‘Holy Unions’

St. Paul’s Canon Educator Tanya
Wallace said that the cathedral staff has
received a number of requests for Bishop
Robinson to participate or speak at events
while he is in Vermont. She said her
understanding was that Robinson was
turning down events that focused on him
in favor of those that focused on God’s
action and Robinson’s mission.

Last year, the first Pride Day
evensong featured Integrity founder Louie
Crew. Integrity is an organization for lgbt
Episcopalians seeking support within their
churches.

Wallace noted that in its current
“summer seating” arrangement, the cathe-
dral would seat 250 worshippers, which
she anticipated would be a mix of parish-
ioners, people from the wider diocese, and
Pride festival-goers.

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul
marched for the first time in the Pride Day
parade two years ago. “There were maybe
8 to 10 people and a dog. This year,”
Wallace said with pride, “we’re ordering
St. Paul’s hats!”

There will be a reception follow-
ing the evensong service. V