The Case for Marriage - a Study Guide for General Convention 2015

Claiming the Blessing (CTB) was convened in 2002 as "an intentional collaborative of organizations and individuals within the Episcopal Church advocating for full inclusion of all the baptized in all sacraments of the church."

In 2002 a CTB Theology Statement was distributed to all bishops and deputies prior to General Convention in 2003 making the case for the blessing of same-sex relationships. That resource remains available online here

As we head toward #GC78 CTB has created "Claiming the Blessing 2015: The Case for Marriage" - which is available online here and will be available in print onsite at General Convention in Salt Lake City.

The content includes:
* Introduction to the Marriage Task Force Blue Book Report
* Q&A re: the Marriage Task Force Report
* Summary of SCLM liturgical proposals
* Legislative history timeline
* Michael Hopkins' essay "Recognized Holiness" making the case for marriage.

I just have to add what a deep delight it was to receive the outpouring of response to our request for photos from weddings of same-sex couples around the church. The avalanche of joyful pictures representing just the tip of the iceberg of the couples in this church in in this country longing to make that profound commitment to love, honor and cherish the love of their life as long as they both shall live was a reminder to me of the tremendous impact our work together in Salt Lake City will have on the lives of those we will never know.

Will we be a church that continues to travel forward on that arc of history that bends toward inclusion? Or will we reduce these precious lives, loves and relationships to "an issue" we continue to study and argue about?

With tremendous gratitude for all who have brought us thus far on the way -- and with thanks for the privilege of continuing the work -- it is time to let our "yes be yes." (Matthew 5:37) It is time to Reimagine the Episcopal Church with Marriage Equality.

The Rev. Canon Susan Russell has served as Integrity's President and is currently the convener of Claiming the Blessing, a national collaborative ministry focused on the full inclusion of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender baptized into the Episcopal Church. A senior associate at All Saints Church in Pasadena CA, she is also a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion Council and a regular contributor to the Huffington Post's religion forum. Her personal blog may be found at An Inch at a Time.

Moving On: Convention is almost ready to start (finally)

In what we think was a bold move showing just how serious the Episcopal Church is about moving on, the first Web cast in the ‘revolutionary’ Media Hub featured the four continuing Episcopal dioceses: Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, Quincy, and San Joaquin. Filmed this afternoon, they talked about the sense of excitement and new life that is coming to the dioceses as they discover a new sense of possibility in inclusive mission. For example, in Pittsburgh 20 parishes have remained Episcopal, and in San Joaquin not only was the first ever woman, Suzanne Ward ordained to the priesthood but one of the larger churches, St. Paul’s Modesto has returned to The Episcopal Church (TEC). The quality of the video just cannot possibly communicate the sense of excitement in the movement of God’s Spirit which was in the speakers’ voices. Katie Sherrod, a long-time ally and member of Integrity from Fort Worth said, “I think the thing that strikes me most about our diocese… is the joy!” The speakers all reflected briefly on the pain and conflict but emphasized the new sense of freedom, inclusion and joy they are experiencing.

Stand Firm in Faith are reporting that Matt Kennedy has been denied media credentials at General Convention. It’s puzzling that the TEC media department has made that determination – it doesn’t seem to make sense other conservative writers are here. Our commiserations are with Matt who did a sterling job of reporting the Special Committee in 2006. Fortunately being kept out of the press room doesn’t stop his being able to attend hearings and legislative sessions. All are welcome really DOES mean, ALL are welcome, right?

The Presiding Bishop gave her address to the full convention today even though it doesn’t really start until the opening Eucharist tomorrow. Her central theme was crisis which she described as helping us focus on the most important and essential things first; in disease the crisis is a turning point when the fever will break, or not. She described this Convention as one of critical decision making and referred to two historic General Conventions: 1967 when the General Convention Special Program was set up, which allocated three million dollars to empower inner-city groups as a response to urban rioting; and 1976 when womens’ ordination was approved. We might, she suggested, hear echoes of those debates in our conversations, as well as revisiting some of the 75th General Convention’s discussions.

She stressed that we are all connected and described as the "great western heresy" the idea that we can be saved as individuals. Interestingly related, the Presiding Bishop's message connects with a great radio commentary about Integrity and the General Convention which was aired on KPFK’s program IMRU (get it: I am are YOU?). Terry Garay said that the work Integrity is doing is good for all LGBT folk, regardless of whether they are Episcopalians or even religiously inclined. A huge thanks to Terry for that!

As the evening sets in (and night is turning to morning) we are aware of our connections with each other, with our allies in Claiming the Blessing, The Consultation, the Chicago Consultation, and with YOU. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Tomorrow Convention starts (finally) and IntegriTV will be launching Day 1 from Anaheim, and we have got some really great shows and interviews in store. So glad to have you along with us.

By Caro Hall, Communications Team, IntegrityUSA