“There is a time to take that step and follow Christ,” said Matt Johnson, a delegate from Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, Va. “I think this is one of those times. Yes, these relationships have integrity and are blessed. For 20 years, we have been talking about this. Let’s go do it.”<\/p>\n
Frank Baxter, 70, a Front Royal resident who said he had been in a 24-year “committed relationship,” agreed.<\/p>\n
“I would like to see the diocese accept us as full members of this church while we are still on the green side of the grass,” he said.<\/p>\n
But opponents said the “relationships” could apply to any sexual partnership.<\/p>\n
“I can envision that relationship with one of those persons married to someone else,” said a male delegate from Church of Our Saviour in Charlottesville. “What do we do about that?”<\/p>\n
“I think we’re going to open some doors we do not wish to open,” said delegate Ann Davis from Louisa. “A 30-something woman told me her understanding of monogamy means ‘one at a time.’ There is nothing here about these relationships being ‘lifelong.’ ”<\/p>\n