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The LGBT Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of California
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The following rubrics are adapted and expanded from The Book of Common Prayer, page 422, and the Additional Instructions on pages 437ñ8. Related material from A Rite for the Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Covenants, commonly referred to as The New Westminster Rite, from the Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada is also included. Christian marriage or union is a solemn and public covenant between a two people in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required of those to be married that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian, and the Commission on Marriage and Blessing Endorsed Rites assume the same requirement for same gender couples seeking the celebration and blessing of their union; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage/union conform to the laws of the State, the canons of this Church, and the rubric in paragraph three, page 13 of the Book of Common Prayer. As with couples seeking marriage, same gender couples seeking the blessing of their union must:
It is expected that the use of liturgies of blessing for marriage and union occur in the context of Christian community and with the community's understanding of its role in fostering godly relationships. Every effort should be made, therefore, to fulfill the hopes that the ongoing relationship of the couple would (a) be supported by the community both before the service and after, and in turn (b) enrich the life of the community. It is particularly appropriate that the blessing take place in the context of a Eucharist in which the members of the community participate, Some couples presenting themselves for marriage/union will have been in their committed relationships for a longer period of time, while others will have been together for a shorter period of time. Although this is a certainly a matter to be explored with the priest in premarital/pre-union counseling, it may also have some impact on the actual liturgy of marriage/union. Liturgies with couples that have been together for a briefer period of time might convey more explicitly the sense of joining the partners together, i.e., the sense of creating a new union. Liturgies with couples that have been together for a longer period of time and whose relationships are, therefore, more established, will likely convey the sense of validating a union that, in some sense, already exists. Where the state allows persons of the same gender to be married, and where the bishop so allows, the word marriage may be used throughout, as it is in The Book of Common Prayer. A priest or a bishop normally presides at the Celebration and Blessing of a Union. When both a bishop and a priest are present and officiating, the bishop should pronounce the blessing and preside at the Eucharist. A deacon, or an assisting priest, may deliver the charge, ask for the Declaration of Consent, read the Gospel, and perform other assisting functions at the Eucharist. Where it is permitted by civil law that deacons may perform rites of union, and no priest or bishop is available, a deacon may use the service which follows, omitting the blessing which follows The Prayers. It is desirable that the language of the rite conform to the custom of the congregation in which the service takes place, and such adaptations may be made throughout this rite. It is desirable that the Lessons from the Old Testament and the Epistles be read by lay persons. In the opening exhortation (at the symbol of N.N.), the full names of the persons are declared. Subsequently, only their given names are used. If Banns are to be published, the following form is used I publish the Banns of Holy Union between N.N. of ____________ and N. N. of ___________ . If any of you know just cause why they may not be joined together in Holy Union, you are bidden to declare it. This is the first (or second, or third) time of asking. The Celebration and Blessing of a Holy Union may be used with any authorized liturgy for the Holy Eucharist. This service then replaces the Ministry of the Word, and the Eucharist begins with the Offertory. After the Declaration of Consent, if the couple is to be a presented by sponsors, the Celebrant asks, Who presents these two women/men to be joined in Holy Union? The appropriate answer is, I do. If more than one person responds, they do so together. For the Ministry of the Word it is fitting that the couple to be joined in Holy Union remain where they may conveniently hear the reading of Scripture. They may approach the Altar, either for the exchange of vows, or for the Blessing of the Union. It is appropriate that all remain standing until the conclusion of the Collect. Seating may be provided for the wedding party, so that all may be seated for the Lessons and the homily. The Apostles’ Creed may be recited after the Lessons, or after the homily, if there is one. When desired, some other suitable symbol of the vows may be used in place of the ring. At the Offertory, it is desirable that the bread and wine be presented to the ministers by the newly joined persons. They may then remain before the Table and receive Holy Communion before other members of the congregation. |
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