In accordance with General Convention 2009 observation that that “the discernment of The Episcopal Church is that there are no theological barriers to blessing ”¦ same-sex relationships that are based on love, fidelity and lifelong commitment ”¦” I offer the following interim measures, which you may bring to your parish or not, at your discretion.
As you know from our discussion at our Retreat, the General Convention, in addition to the words just quoted, empowered bishops to make “Generous Provision” regarding pastoral and liturgical ministry to same-sex couples. What follows are the pastoral provisions I feel able to make at this time, and I hope they may be seen as generous.
It hardly needs to be said that because this is a new thing, I will want to be kept well informed (and have provided for that in what follows), so that I can make adjustments as needed. This is not a burden on the couple, nor does it reflect on their integrity, but helps me do my job of being pastor to all the parishes.
I am not generally broadcasting this decision yet (although I suspect the word will be quickly out) because it is up to the clergy of a place to decide if they are interested, and then to take it up within the parish system.
Is anyone keeping a talley of how many dioceses have gone down this road?
I’d like to second Br_er Rabbit’s question / call. Can we get any statistics right now as to (1) what TEC dioceses are officially allowing SSBs; (2) which are firmly not [to include all non-Communion Partner led dioceses]; (3) which are at a tipping point to do so.
I think this is timely given we’ve heard of late that the southern Ohio diocese and now Bethlehem are moving forward. I hadn’t realized they were upholding a Peter Lee-esque position to this point in the first place.
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Bishop Marshall must have a very high tolerance for bad news or a flat learning curve. For 2002 through 2008, the diocese lost about 18 percent of its Members, 20 percent of ASA, and Plate & Pledge declined by 10 percent in real (inflation adjusted) dollars. And other stats do not look good for the future. In 2008, there were 194 Infant Baptisms and 265 Burials. Also in 2008, 81 percent (48 of 59) of the parishes had Plate & Pledge of less than $150 thousand. Statmann