Service 1: Celebration and Blessing of a Holy Union

The Celebration and Blessing of a Holy Union adapted from The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, The Book of Common Prayer, 1979

At the time appointed, the persons whose union is to be blessed, with their witnesses, assemble in the church or some other appropriate place.

During their entrance, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.

Then the Celebrant, facing the people and the couple, addresses the congregation and says these or similar words

Dearly beloved [or, Beloved Community]: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of these two people in Holy Union. The bond and covenant of holy union was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people. The union of two people in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; [and] for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; [and, when it is God’s will, for the nurture of children in the knowledge and love of the Lord.] Therefore such a union is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

Or the Celebrant may comment briefly upon the teaching of the Church concerning same gender unions, as currently declared in the formularies and canons of this Church, for example, General Convention Resolutions D039 (2000) and C051 (2003), and the policy of the Bishop of California.

Into this holy union N.N. and N.N. now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not (or may not lawfully) be joined, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace.

Then the Celebrant says to the couple

I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not (or may not lawfully) be united, and in accordance with God’s Word, you do now confess it.

The Declaration of Consent

The Celebrant says to each of the two partners in turn

N., will you have this man/woman to be your spouse (or partner, or some equivalent term); to live together in covenanted holy union? Will you love him/her, comfort him/her, honor and keep him/her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him/her as long as you both shall live?

The partner being addressed answers

I will.

The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying

Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their union?

People We will.

If there is to be a presentation, it takes place at this time. See Concerning the Service.

A hymn, psalm, or anthem may follow.

The Ministry of the Word

The Celebrant then says to the people

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Let us pray.

O gracious and everliving God, you have created humankind in your image:

Look mercifully upon these two women/men who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then one or more passage from Holy Scripture is read. If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes the Readings.

When a passage from the Gospel is to be read, all stand, and the Deacon or Minister appointed says

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _____.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

After the Gospel, the Reader says

The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

A homily or other response to the Readings may follow.

The Union

One of the partners, facing the other and taking the other’s right hand in his/hers, says

In the Name of God, I, N., take you, N., to be my spouse (or partner, or some equivalent term), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Then they loose their hands, and the other partner, taking the first partner’s right hand in his/hers, repeats the vow to the first.

They loose their hands.

The Priest may ask God’s blessing on rings as follows

Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a signs of the vows by which these two women/men have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other’s hand and says

N., I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (or in the Name of God).

Then the Celebrant joins the right hands of the couple and says

Now that N. and N. have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are one (or joined in Holy Union), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.

People Amen.

The Prayers

All standing, the Celebrant says

Let us pray together in the words our Savior taught us.

People and Celebrant

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

The Deacon or other person appointed reads the following prayers, to which the People respond, saying, Amen.

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon these persons whom you make one flesh in Holy Union. Amen.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Amen.

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours. Amen.

Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.

Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Amen.

Bless the children in this family, and give this couple the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Amen.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.

Grant that all who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.

Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and for ever. Amen.

The people remain standing. The couple may kneel, and the Priest says one of the following prayers

Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life. We thank you, also, for consecrating the union of two persons in his Name. By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon these two men/women. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of holy union that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his [or the] Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants [or children], that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.

The newly joined couple then greet each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation.

When Communion is not to follow, the couple and their attendants leave the church.

The liturgy continues with the Offertory, at which the newly joined couple may present the offerings of bread and wine.

If it is desired that a Proper Preface specific to the occasion be included, this form may be used

Because in the love of two persons joined in Holy Union, you have given us an image of the heavenly Jerusalem, adorned as a bride for her bridegroom, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who loves her and gave himself for her, that he might make the whole creation new.

At the Communion, it is appropriate that the newly joined couple receive Communion first, after the ministers.

O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious: We give you thanks for binding us together in these holy mysteries of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by your Holy Spirit, N. and N., now joined in Holy Union, may become one in heart and soul, live in fidelity and peace, and obtain those eternal joys prepared for all who love you; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As the couple and their attendants leave the church, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung; or instrumental music may be played.

OASIS CALIFORNIA

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of California