Last updated 6th August 2012 at 7:30 p.m. EST [This post will be remaining ‘sticky’ at the head of this page – new posts are below sticky posts]
[For a Quick Guide and continued posts on Same Sex Liturgy as well as posts on Communion without Baptism and Transgender Resolutions see below]
SAME SEX LITURGY RESOLUTION A049 PASSED
Latest Developments [Updated 6th August 2012]
A prayer for the bishop and clergy of the Diocese of South Carolina who met on 25th July 2012 is here. Bishop Lawrence’s report of that meeting is here. A parish letter sent to Bishop Lawrence during General Convention is here
On 6th August 2012 a Member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion, charged with overseeing the operation of the Anglican Communion Covenant, Bishop Ian Douglas approved the holding of gay weddings and blessings by clergy in the Diocese of Connecticut in solidarity with the Bishop of New York.
more below in the Quick Guide
Latest Posts
[*NEW] *Bishop Ian Douglas, Communion Standing Committee Member, Undertakes Same Sex Marriages [6th August 2012]
[*NEW] *(Moultrie, Georgia, Observer) St. John’s leaves Episcopal Church over theological rift [6th August 2012]
[full list of posts is now continued below the fold and is being updated regularly]
Responses from South Carolina
[*NEW] *Kendall Harmon””In an age of Angst and Anxiety, Be Mindful that The Lord will Provide [6th August 2012]
*What one South Carolina Parish Wrote Bishop Mark Lawrence During General Convention 2012 [2nd August 2012]
*Bishop Lawrence Meets with Clergy of the Diocese of South Carolina Following General Convention [31st July 2012]
[*NEW] *(Local Paper Faith and Values Section) Mark Lawrence””Church needs to be clear in its teaching [29th July 2012]
*[Lent & Beyond] A Prayer for the Diocese of South Carolina [25th July 2012]
*Bucking National Trend, Diocese of South Carolina Experiences Growth in 2011 [18th July 2012]
*On Short notice, Bishop Mark Lawrence Summons South Carolina Clergy to Talk about Gen. Con. 2012 [18th July 2012]
*Bishop Mark Lawrence’s Letter to the Diocese of S.C. to be read in all parishes Sunday morning [15th July 2012]
*Kendall Harmon Interviewed by The World Today about the recent General Convention [15th July 2012]
*South Carolina Differentiates Itself from Actions of 77th General Convention [12th July 2012]
*The deputation of South Carolina have released a statement this afternoon [11th July 2012]
*Kendall Harmon’s response to the GC 2012 Passage of Rites of Blessing for Same Sex Unions [10th July 2012]
*The South Carolina Deputation Statement on Passage of Rites of Blessing for Same Sex Unions[10th July 2012]
Quick Guide to Same Sex Liturgy Resolution AO49 [Regularly Updated]
Passed by the House of Bishops on 9th July 2012 with 111 for, 41 against, 3 abstentions. The Resolution in this final form was sent to the House of Deputies for consideration. Doubts about the procedure for approving these ‘provisional’ rites have been expressed by commenters Allan Haley here, The Living Church here, Anglican Ink here and Professor Seitz here and here and in this Christianity Today article
On 10th July 2012 the House of Deputies also passed the resolution voting by orders – Laity: 78% [86 yes, 19 no, 5 divided] and Clergy: 76% [85 yes, 22 no, 4 divided]. The final conformed resolution is here, a pdf of the official version is here and the resulting approved Liturgy for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships is here.
Protests have followed by 12+ bishops in the Indianapolis Statement, 30 deputies supported a statement read to the House of Deputies, and there have been further statements by the South Carolina delegation, Canon Theologian Kendall Harmon, and on 11th July 2012 the bishop and most of the deputation departed, and this Statement was issued. On 13th July 2012 the Standing Committee of the diocese of Central Florida issued this Statement and the Albany Bishops and Deputation this Statement.
On Sunday 15th July 2012, Bishop Mark Lawrence issued a pastoral letter to be read in Diocese of South Carolina churches reported in The State and Allan Haley comments here and there is a prayer here
On 19th July 2012, Bishop Mark Sisk of New York authorized clergy to officiate at same-sex marriages both in a religious capacity and as agents of New York State. On 20th July ACI released an analysis that Resolution A049 is legally, theologically and constitutionally flawed and made outside the constitutional authority of General Convention. On the same day the Global South Primates released a Communiqué noting with great sadness the passing of Resolution A049 authorizing ‘a liturgy for blessing same-sex unions’ and confirming their ‘disappointment that The Episcopal Church has no regard for the concerns and convictions of the vast majority of Anglicans worldwide’.
Among those issuing pastoral letters or other statements saying they will not approve or permit Same Sex Blessings under Resolution AO49 in those dioceses are the bishops of South Carolina, Albany, Central Florida, Dallas, Florida, South Dakota, Springfield, Tennessee, Western Louisiana, and [with qualification] Northern Indiana who has made alternative arrangements and Alabama who nevertheless voted for them, and it is not clear where Upper South Carolina stands [please advise us of any updates on your bishops]
A prayer for the bishop and clergy of the Diocese of South Carolina who met on 25th July 2012 is here. Bishop Lawrence’s report of that meeting is here. A parish letter sent to Bishop Lawrence during General Convention is here
On 6th August 2012 a Member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion, charged with overseeing the operation of the Anglican Communion Covenant, Bishop Ian Douglas approved the holding of gay weddings and blessings by clergy in the Diocese of Connecticut in solidarity with the Bishop of New York.
Posts on Same Sex Liturgy Resolution AO49 Continued from Latest Posts above
*Saint Francis in the Fields, Harrods Creek, Kentucky, responds to General Convention [2nd August 2012]
*An interview with Bishop “Holly” Hollerith (Southern Virginia) regarding blessing same sex unions [1st August 2012]
*Christopher Benson””Toward A Better Conversation about Same-Sex Unions among Christians [1st August 2012]
*Peter Moore on the Importance of How we Treat and Describe Other Christians [1st August 2012]
*Rector and Vestry Resign at Saint John’s in Moultrie, Georgia [31st July 2012]
*Alex Sanders and Peter Moore Debate the Inevitability of Same Sex Marriage (I) [29th July 2012]
*Communion Partner Participants Report on the Global South Mission Conference in Bangkok [26th July 2012]
*Bishop Howard: Same Sex Blessings not to be Authorized in the Diocese of Florida [26th July 2012]
*Dr Timothy George: Beware the Well Worn Path [26th July 2012]
*A Letter from Bishop Scott Benhase to the Diocese of Georgia [26th July 2012]
*Bishop John Bauerschmidt: no plans to authorize same sex blessings in the Diocese of Tennessee [25th July 2012]
*Bishop Duncan Gray: Same-sex blessings not to be held in the Diocese of Mississippi [25th July 2012]
*Bishop Jake Owensby reports to the Diocese of Western Louisiana on General Convention [25th July 2012]
*Dean Limehouse of Advent Cathedral Alabama responds to General Convention [23rd July 2012]
*[Birmingham News] Episcopal bishop says yes to same-sex blessings, but not in Alabama [23rd July 2012]
*Bishop Greg Brewer’s Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Central Florida [22nd July 2012]
*Bishop Ed Little’s Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Northern Indiana [22nd July 2012]
*Communiqué of the Global South Primates Bangkok, Thailand, 20 July 2012 [20th July 2012]
*[ACI] Same Sex Blessings: What Did General Convention Do? [20th July 2012]
*Bishop Mark Sisk: Gay Marriage Authorized ignoring Constitution and The Book of Common Prayer [20th July 2012]
*(ABC Religion and Ethics Report) America’s most influential church on the brink of collapse [20th July 2012]
*(CEN) The Episcopal Church endorses temporary local option on same-sex blessings [20th July 2012]
*(NBC News) Is liberal Christianity signing its own death warrant? [20th July 2012]
*(The State) Talks continue as potential split in SC Episcopal diocese looms [19th July 2012]
*Bishop Stanton’s Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Dallas [19th July 2012]
*Anglican Unscripted Episode 45 [19th July 2012]
*The Bishop of Upper South Carolina Writes about General Convention [18th July 2012]
*Bishop who leads Central Gulf Coast Episcopal diocese will bless gay unions [18th July 2012]
*Beaufort County Episcopal church reactions vary to bishop’s letter on same-sex blessings [18th July 2012]
*(CNS) General Convention 2012 Decisions “a huge obstacle on the path to Christian unity” [17th July 2012]
*Western Mass. Episcopal clergy to bless, but not wed, same-sex couples [16th July 2012]
*Fort Worth parish protest over GC Indianapolis [16th July 2012]
*Diocese of Missouri Deputation””Telling our story [15th July 2012]
*Key Page for Finding out the Final Wording and Status of All General Convention 2012 Resolutions [15th July 2012]
*(RNS) Reaction mixed to Episcopal Church’s approval of same-sex rites [15th July 2012]
*An Article on the situation on the ground in East Tennessee after General Convention 2012 [15th July 2012]
*The Presiding Bishop Visits La Crosse, Wisconsin [15th July 2012]
*A Look Back to 2009: Philip Jenkins on TEC and the Communion””Their Separate Ways [15th July 2012]
*The Bishop of Fond Du Lac on General Convention 2012””Same Sex Blessings [15th July 2012]
*(Local Paper Faith and Values Section) Episcopal diocese officials object to recent church actions [15th July 2012]
*Allan Haley””Bishop Mark Lawrence Addresses His Diocese Following General Convention [15th July 2012]
*(Diocese of Albany) Chip Strickland on the last day of General Convention 2012 [15th July 2012]
*(The State) South Carolina Episcopal bishop blasts national church [15th July 2012]
*Ross Douthat””Can Reappraising Christianity [especially as practiced in Mainline Churches] Be Saved? [15th July 2012]
*(Orangeburg, S.C. Times and Democrat) S.C. Episcopal representatives denounce same-sex blessing rite [15th July 2012]
*Ryan Anderson reviews Debating Same-Sex Marriage by John Corvino and Maggie Gallagher [15th July 2012]
*(Tulsa World) Oklahoma Episcopal bishop will consult with diocese on same-sex unions [15th July 2012]
*The Episcopal Church: Liturgy for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships [14th July 2012]
*[Christianity Today] Episcopal Church Approves Same-Sex Blessing Rites [14th July 2012]
*The Bishop of Arizona responds to the WSJ Article on General Convention Posted below [13th July 2012]
*A Letter from the Rector of Truro Anglican Church on General Convention 2012 [13th July 2012]
*Statement of the Albany Bishops and Deputation in response to General Convention 2012 [13th July 2012]
*(WSJ) Jay Akasie on General Convention 2012””What Ails the Episcopalians [13th July 2012]
*A Statement from the Deputation of the Diocese of Central Florida on General Convention 2012 [13th July 2012]
*(Living Church) An Action of Solidarity in the House of Deputies [12th July 2012]
*Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Statement on the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships [12th July 2012]
*(ENS) South Carolinians have ”˜grievous concern,’ over General Convention actions [12th July 2012]
*Episcopal Church passes same-sex blessings, Houston area church to offer new rite [12th July 2012]
*(KQED) What the Episcopal Same-Sex Union and Transgender Resolutions Mean for Californians [12th July 2012]
*Todd Wetzel’s Anglicans United Report on the House of Bishops debate on Same Sex Blessings [12th July 2012]
*(York Daily Record) Local pastors respond to Episcopal church approving same-sex unions [12th July 2012]
*Allan Haley””Diocese of South Carolina Fed up with General Convention [11th July 2012]
*(RNS) Reaction mixed to Episcopal Church’s approval of same-sex rites [11th July 2012]
*(CSM) Episcopal approval of same-sex blessings: Will it hurt church’s global ties? [11th July 2012]
*(Anglican Ink) 12 bishops say no to Same Sex Blessings [11th July 2012]
*(Seattle PI) It’s official: Episcopalians ratify same-sex “covenants” [11th July 2012]
*The Episcopal Bishop of Texas on Same Gender Blessings Vote(s) at GC 2012 [11th July 2012]
*Bishop Christopher Epting on Recent General Convention Developments [11th July 2012]
*(ENS) Same Sex Union Blessing rite authorized for provisional use from First Advent [11th July 2012]
*(USA Today) Episcopal Church approves same-sex blessing rite [11th July 2012]
*(BBC) US Episcopal Church approves same-sex blessing service [11th July 2012]
*(NY Times) Episcopalians Approve Rite to Bless Same-Sex Unions [11th July 2012]
*The Bishop of Bethlehem on Today’s Decision””Same Gender Blessings Resolution [10th July 2012]
*Statement of Integrity on Today’s Decision””Episcopal Church Authorizes Same-Sex Blessings [10th July 2012]
*Friends calling for prayer regarding The Episcopal Church and General Convention – Lent and Beyond
*Kendall Harmon: About Today and How to Receive the [Same Sex Liturgy] Resolution that will Pass [10th July 2012]
*Allan Haley Analyzes the Bishops Vote Yesterday, Showing its Violations of their own Governing Rules [10th July 2012]
*A Living Church Article on Yesterday’s Debate and Vote in the House of Bishops on Same Sex Liturgies [10th July 2012]
*(Reuters) Episcopalians set to be first big US church to bless Same-Sex marriage [10th July 2012]
*(ENS) Bishops vote to approve resources for same-gender blessings [10th July 2012]
*(Anglican Ink) House of Bishops endorses “provisional” same-sex blessing rites [9th July 2012]
*Finally Tweaked Version of Same Sex Liturgy Resolution A049 as Passed by the House of Bishops Today [9th July 2012]
*ENS Article pre Bishops Vote”””˜Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant’ recommended for provisional use [9th July 2012]
*(AP) Episcopal bishops OK trial same sex blessing service; full church backs transgender ordination [9th July 2012]
*Episcopal Bishops Pass Same Sex Union Blessing Liturgy Authorization Overwhelmingly [9th July 2012]
*Live Twitter Feed (one of them) on the current House of Bishops debate on Same Sex Liturgies [9th July 2012]
*(SF) Sarah Hey””Why The Same Sex Trial Liturgy Will [Very Very Likely] Pass [9th July 2012]
***Important*** New Text Version of Same Sex Blessing Resolution A049 (as Amended in Commitee) [9th July 2012]
*Chicago Consultation””Nightly Update for General Convention 2012 on July 7 [9th July 2012]
*(ENS) General Convention PBLCM Committee hears testimony on same-gender blessings liturgies [8th July 2012]
*Hearing Tonight on Res. A049: Authorize Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships [7th July 2012]
*(Detroit Free Press) Episcopal Church losing members as it strives for inclusion [7th July 2012]
*(Indianapolis Star) Sexuality among key issues Episcopalians will confront at General Convention [7th July 2012]
*(Boston Globe) Episcopalians review a new rite for Same Sex unions [7th July 2012]
*Upper South Carolina Episcopal bishop not ready to endorse same-sex blessings [5th July 2012]
*(Phil. Inquirer) Episcopal Church leaders set to consider blessing rite for same-sex couples [5th July 2012]
*The Bishop of Milwaukee’s Thinkpiece on Same-Gender Unions on the Eve of GC 2012 [5th July 2012]
*NW Penna. Bishop Will Bless Same Sex Unions if General Convention 2012 gives the Go Ahead [5th July 2012]
COMMUNION WITHOUT BAPTISM RESOLUTION [CO29]
*An Important Anglican Ink Article on the House of Bishops Communion w/o Baptism Discussion [13th July 2012]
*New Text of Communion Without Baptism Resolution [C029] as Amended and Sent Back to HoD [12th July 2012]
*Resolution C029 on Communion for the Unbaptized Passes House of Deputies on a vote by orders [11th July 2012]
*Whats Happening with the Communion of the UnBaptized? [10th July 2012]
*(Diocese of Texas) William Treadwell on Communion w/o Baptism: Pastoral Theology vs. Doctrine [8th July 2012]
*TEC Gen. Con. 2012 Evangelism Commission rejects Communion of the Unbaptized outright [7th July 2012]
*An Interesting Blog Post from July 2007””How widespread is Communion Without Baptism? [7th July 2012]
*(ENS) ”˜Water first, or table?’ Committee hears ”˜open table’ testimony [7th July 2012]
*Res. C040, Called “Open table” resolution, but really Communion for Unbaptized, Has Hearing Today [7th July 2012]
TRANSGENDER RESOLUTIONS [D019] and [D002]
*(World) Expressing themselves””Episcopal Church votes to allow transgendered clergy and church ldrs [14th July 2012]
*Mark Tooley””A Transgendered Episcopal Church [11th July 2012]
*Living Church on the gender Identity Resolutions Debate in the H of Deputies Yesterday [10th July 2012]
*Jeffrey Walton””Activists for TEC’s New Theology Hail Victories at Episcopal Convention [10th July 2012]
*(AP) Episcopal bishops OK trial same sex blessing service; full church backs transgender ordination [9th July 2012]
*A Living Church Article on Yesterday’s Debate in the House of Bishops on Gender Identity [9th July 2012]
*(Reuters) U.S. Episcopalians move closer to allowing transgender ministers [8th July 2012]
*Both Transgender Resolutions Pass House of Bishops, Both South Carolina Bishops Speak Against [8th July 2012]
*Resolutions D002 and D019 Pass the House of Bishops [8th July 2012]
*Chicago Consultation (II)-Transgender People and the Church’s Transformative Mission [7th July 2012]
*Chicago Consultation (I)””Nightly Update for General Convention 2012 on July 6 [7th July 2012]
*(Reuters) Episcopalians debate transgender issue in Ministry [6th July 2012]
*Sarah Lawton offers Reflections on Resolutions D002 and D019 for General Convention 2012 [5th July 2012]
*The TransEpiscopal Blog on General Convention 2012 [5th July 2012]
[*NEW] * [6th August 2012]