Episcopal
Diocese of
Friday Reflection
04/29/2011
Dear Friends,
This Friday Reflection contains the Authorization for the Blessing of Sacred Union which becomes effective on June 12, 2016. I commend this to the Diocese of san Joaquin.
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE BLESSING OF HOLY
UNIONS
Since its reorganization in March 2008, the Diocese of San Joaquin has made incredible progress in recognizing a basic truth expressed in 1976 in Resolution A069 of the 65th General Convention, which stated in part, “That it is the sense of this General Convention that homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church.”
Since that time the Church has continued to examine what that full and equal claim means. In 2009, the 76th General Convention passed Resolution C056, which directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to “collect and develop theological and liturgical resources” as they relate to the blessing of same gender relationships. That task is in progress and the results are to be reported to the 77th General Convention in 2012. In the interim, Resolution C056 stated that, “bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church.” With respect to the nature of the relationships being considered, they are described in Resolution D025, a related resolution as, “lifelong committed relationships ‘characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God’ (2000-D039).”
In 2009, at its Annual Convention, the Diocese of San Joaquin adopted a resolution supporting C056. Further, following the Annual Convention in 2010, the Commission on Equality, along with Bishop Lamb, hosted a forum on the issue of blessing same sex unions. The forum was well attended and the sense of the forum was that the Diocese is ready to take the next step in full inclusion and support the blessing of these unions.
California also permits the
formation of Domestic Partnerships under state law for same sex couples as well
as opposite sex couples if one or both of the persons is 62 years of age or
older. These Domestic Partnerships confer upon the couple all of the rights and
responsibilities which pertain to marriage under
We must also recognized that there are same sex couples in relationships which reflect the characteristics set forth above who have not entered in Domestic Partnerships, perceiving them to be inferior to marriage, and who, for various reasons, did not or could not marry during the brief time when same sex marriages were legal.
Couples in such relationships are
part of the Diocese of San Joaquin. They are in our congregations and in
positions of leadership at the Diocesan level. They are our friends, neighbors,
and brothers and sisters in Christ. It is now time, to the extent permitted by
Effective immediately, clergy in the Diocese of San Joaquin may, at their discretion and in accordance with the conscience of each priest, perform blessings of same sex civil marriages, domestic partnerships, and relationships which are lifelong committed relationships characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God. Said relationships shall be called Holy Unions for purposes of blessing these relationships and purposes of recognition of said relationships. For those same sex couples who are legally married, the blessing performed may be termed the Blessing of a Civil Marriage.
It must also be recognized that
the Canons of the Church currently limit marriages to opposite sex couples[2],
as does
Specific policies, as well as liturgies authorized for use within the Diocese, will be published separately. Clergy are encouraged to engage in open discussion of this matter, as well as the policies and liturgies, with members of their congregations, particularly those who are members of Vestries or Bishop’s Committees.
[1]
Neither Domestic Partnerships nor same sex
marriage is currently recognized under federal law. Currently, both Proposition
8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act are being litigated in federal courts
and, as a result, same sex marriage may be restored in
2
Title I, Canon 18, Section 2(b).
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters,
+Chet
From the Diocesan office…
About the Women’s Retreat: Registration and refunds for the Women’s retreat are closed. Everyone’s plans should be confirmed by now. Those who registered for the February date and those who have joined the retreat for May 6-8 are looking forward to a great time at ECCO with Barbara Crafton, the retreat leader.
Introducing RiteFormation: Morehouse Eduction Resources, a division of the Church Publishing Company is offering a free, no-risk, complete 30-day trial of its online Christian education resources. Part of the riteseries, right formation is a library of class-tested curriculum from well-known curriculum publishers and programs. It includes thousands of theologically sound activities: crafts, dramas, games, discussion guides, movement, and much more for children, youth, and adults. You may try the complete content of riteformation by signing up at www.riteseries.org/formation for a no-risk 30-day trial.
Safeguarding
Workshop: If you would rather have a face-to-face training than take
the online course, it is available in the Diocese of Northern California. When:
Saturday, June 4, 8:30am - 3:30pm Where:
Mark your
Calendars for the Lay Ministry Conference
Labor Day Weekend.
Septtember 2, 3, & 4: The Diocese of San Joaquin will gather at
ECCO in Oakhurst to celebrate Lay Ministry at a weekend conference. Plan to attend and share in the fun. Enjoy the beautiful autumn weather in the majestic
Bishop Chet is on Facebook: Join the conversation on Bishop Chet Talton’s Facebook page. Follow this link to “Chet Talton.”
Northern Deanery
Meeting:The Northern Deanery will meet Saturday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m. at
There are
plans to discuss the possibility of coordinated missionary efforts within the
Northern Deanery, and possible coordinated youth activities and events. Bishop Chet Talton will be with us for our
meeting. All members of parishes and
missions in the Northern Deanery have seat and voice at deanery meetings. Please plan to be with us and share your
ideas and inspiration.
Southern Deanery Meeting: A Southern Deanery meeting is scheduled for Saturday,
June 4, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at All Soul’s
Conference planning team for
NEHM sends invitation to
To Diocese of
This is being forwarded to you from the Conference Planning team for National Episcopal Health Ministries. Could you please get the "good news" out about our conference to your Diocese of San Joaquin. Also please forward info to anyone you feel might have an interest in healing & health ministries (Parish Nursing).
Lenten Blessings,
Susan Walstrom
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SIGN UP NOW!
Seeing the Face of God in Each Other
(anti-racism & intercultural
appreciation training) The Diocese
of El Camino Real invites us to participate.
Learn about the history and culture of racism and its impact on how we
think, live, and behave, even today
Explore your cultural makeup and that of
your community
Understand white privilege and
internalized oppression
Examine how power operates in our
society
Develop intercultural sensitivity
Plan a strategy for a grace margin
Friday and Saturday,
Sept. 23 & 24, 2011 Anti-Racism Training: 9:00 am–5:30 pm
LOCATION: Church of
the Good Shepherd,
COST: $60 ($50 early
bird special by Sept. 1, 2011)
For more
information, contact Diane Lovelace at DiLovelace@aol.com or at 408/ 263-8945.
Another opportunity for Anti-Racism Training: The Commission for Intercultural Ministry
in the diocese of Northern California is pleased to offer an Anti-Racism
Training event, required for all church leaders -- ordained and lay. Lelanda Lee of the Diocese of Colorado will
be presenting this one-day workshop.
When: Saturday, July 23, 9am - 5pm
Where: Trinity Cathedral,
Cost: $ 45.00 (Includes lunch, and
snacks). Registration payment is by check only, and must be received by the cathedral
by Friday, July 15.
Questions? Please
contact: Fr. Bayani Rico - (415) 797-2240, rector_ascension@sbcglobal.net; Fr.
Ray Hess - (916) 753-9939, FatherRay@frontiernet.net.
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News and Notes from
Congregations...
This is a section of the Friday Reflection to post reports and information about special events at your church, especially if the event will be of interest to others in the diocese. Send the information to Juanita at jweber@diosanjoaquin.org. Note: Deadline for information to be published in the Friday Reflection is Thursday, 12 noon.
Joy of Easter
Organ Concert at the Episcopal Church of the Saviour
93230
On Sunday, 1 May, the Episcopal Church of the Saviour welcomes Mr Scott Horton as he again offers a concert on the church's magnificent and historic organ. Entitled "The Joy of Easter", the concert will begin at 3pm and include music from the works of Louis Vierne, Johannes Brahms and J.S. Bach. No tickets are required and the concert is free. However donations will be gladly accepted to defray its costs, and for the work and mission of the Church of the Saviour. Further information, please call the church office at (559) 584-7706.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Mother, Daughter Tea
Saturday May 7, 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall
Keynote
speaker, Pastor Kathleen West
Violinist, Amy
Sullivan
A light lunch
will be served along with tea, coffee, and punch.
There will be
a silent auction.
For tickets
contact Annamary at 209-480-9513
Tickets are
$10.00 each
Table of 8
$75.00
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Your Health this Week. 
The logo is from the Episcopal Church Medical
Trust
The July 2010 issue of Health and Wellness News included a list of 100 small changes for improving your health. It is
available at http://download.cpg.org/healthcare/publications/pdf/healthnews_jul10.pdf.
Pick a suggestion or two and get started. If you’ve already made a change, we
invite you to take another look and choose another one, perhaps from a
different category. You’ll find suggestions for all aspects of life: physical,
emotional, social, intellectual, financial, and spiritual. There’s bound to be
something in there that could improve your quality of life. Then think about
what a reasonable goal would be and what you need to do to achieve it.
Remember: you don’t have to make changes alone
You can invite other people to make them with you. Try
teaming up with a friend, coworker, or family member. Start a local walking
group with your neighbors, work colleagues, or fellow parishioners. Trade
healthy recipes and weight loss tips with others. and with the Friday Reflection too. (Send to
jweber@diosanjoaquin.org.) Ask the people you know if they are in the process
of making changes and then help each other to stick to your plans.
Take that next small step now!
If you’re having success with one step, try adding one
more. If you backslide, don’t get down on yourself. Draw strength from your
earlier success, review your plan, and get back on track. It’s not easy to make
lifelong changes, but you can use the strategies to help you succeed.
Watch this Peter K
Video. Learn how to make healthy swaps in meals with this comfort food
makeover.
Oven Fried Chicken
and Fish http://www.cpg.org/productsservices/wellness.cfm
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Bishop
Talton’s Calendar
May 1 Bishop Visitation St. Anne’s Stockton
May
May 14 Northern Deanery Meeting, 2 p.m.
May 15 Graduation,
School for Deacons, 4 p.m. Chapel of the
Please forward the Friday Reflection to anyone you think
will be interested in the content.