Blessing

A RITE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF GAY AND LESBIAN COVENANTS
CONCERNING THE RITE

Blessing is a common feature of Christian worship. For centuries the church has
blessed people, places and things. Every prayer of blessing is thanksgiving for
creation and redemption offered in petition for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the
world.
All human relationships have the potential to be agents of God’s purpose. Regardless
of the specific characteristics of the relationship, the act of blessing does not make the
relationship more holy but rather, in giving thanks to God and invoking God’s holy
name, releases the relationship to realize its full potential as an expression of God’s
love and peace.
The act of blessing recognizes the pre-existent reality of the relationship; confers the
community’s authority upon the recipients to conduct themselves as formal and
public participants in such a relationship; establishes a communal context of
responsibility, accountability and privilege; and petitions God to endow the partners
with all such grace and strength necessary to fulfill the vows and commitments being
made.
This Rite of Blessing is a public service of the church and is celebrated before God in
the body of the church and in the presence of friends, family and the congregation.
Friends and family members are encouraged to participate in the Rite where
indicated.
All matters relating to the conduct of the Rite shall be in accordance with the
liturgical policy and practice of the diocese.
It is desirable that the order of service be incorporated into the Eucharist wherever
possible.

GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION

In order to request this Rite of Blessing each member of the couple must:
a) be free to enter into such a covenant. That is, they must not be in an existing
covenantal relationship, including marriage.
b) Enter the rite with an understanding that the relationship is to be exclusive of any
other partners and have the expectation of permanence.
c) Satisfy the requirements of any previous relationship. This involves appropriate
support of dependants from any previous relationship and the appropriate
dissolution and meeting of obligations that arise from the same.

General Synod Canon22