Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music
Digital Archive of Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships
General Convention Resolution 2012-A049
The following responses were submitted to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) by dioceses in response to a letter from the Chair requesting feedback on the rite authorized by Resolution 2012-A049. The Resolution authorized the provisional use of a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex relationships and asked SCLM to develop a process to review and refine the materials for their report to the 2015 General Convention. Diocesan reports have been reproduced faithfully with the exception of the redaction of personal greetings and reflections.
Copyright Notice: All documents published here should be considered restricted by copyright of the creator. The materials are made available for educational use only. Dioceses, congregations and organizations of The Episcopal Church may use the material as models for new resources; however, to use, re-use, or reproduce the materials beyond this limited interal use for educational purposes requires written permission.
Diocesan Responses: N-W
Nebraska
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. J Scott Barker: January 17, 2013.
Guidelines for Same Sex Blessings
The Right Rev. J. Scott Barker: Advent 2012.
Nevada
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. Dan T. Edwards: January 16, 2013.
New York
First Response to the Commission
Margaret Nodine, Executive Assistant to Bishop Dietsche: June 13, 2013.
Second Response to the Commission
The Reverend Jennifer Reddall, Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission: October 14, 2014.
Letter to the Clergy of the Diocese of New York
The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk and The Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche: July 19, 2012.
Northern California
First Response to the Commission
The Very Rev. Brian Baker, Dean, Trinity Cathedral: March 6, 2013.
Second Response to the Commission
Thea Mangels, Executive Assistant to Bishop Beisner: July 11, 2013.
Guidelines for Addressing Same-Sex Marriage in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner: July 2013.
Letter to the Clergy in the Diocese of Northern California
The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner: July 2012.
Form: Declaration of Intention for a Lifelong Covenant
Diocese of Northern California: [2013].
Northern Indiana
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little: January 17, 2013.
Pastoral Letter
The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little: 2012.
Northern Michigan
Response to the Commission
The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester: March 6, 2013.
Northwestern Pennsylvania
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe: March 3, 2013.
Oklahoma
First Response to the Commission
The Rev. R. William Carroll: March 8, 2013.
Second Response to the Commission
The Rev. R. William Carroll: October 18, 2013.
Policies and Procedures for the Blessing of Same-Gender Unions in the Diocese of Oklahoma
Diocese of Oklahoma: [2013].
Pastoral Guidelines for Clergy [Draft Guidelines]
Diocese of Oklahoma: [2013].
The Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant [Draft Liturgy]
Diocese of Oklahoma: [2013].
Policy Regarding Mandatory Consultation Prior to Same-Gender Blessings [Draft Policy]
Diocese of Oklahoma: [2013].
Educational Resources [Draft Resources]
Diocese of Oklahoma: [2013].
Draft of Pastoral Understanding Form
Diocese of Oklahoma: [2013].
Olympia
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel: January 17, 2013.
Guidelines for the Blessing of Same Sex Unions in the Diocese of Olympia
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel: January 2013.
Oregon
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Michael J. Hanley: April 3, 2013.
Letter to Clergy with Guidelines for Blessing Same Gender Relationships
The Rt. Rev. Michael J. Hanley: No date.
Pittsburgh
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell: January 7, 2014.
Pastoral Letter
The Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell: November 25, 2013.
Rhode Island
First Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely: March 12, 2013.
Second Response to the Commission
The Ven. Janice L. Grinnell, Chair of Diocesan Same-Sex Blessings Task Force: June 4, 2013.
Letter to the Diocese
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely: April 17, 2013.
Guidelines for Addressing Same-Sex Blessings in the Diocese of Rhode Island
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely: [2013].
Appendix of Resources: Guidelines for Addressing Same-Sex Blessings in the Diocese of Rhode Island
Diocese of Rhode Island: February, 2013.
Form: Request for Permission to Solemnize a Civil Union in Rhode Island
Diocese of Rhode Island: [2013].
Form: Declaration of Intention
Diocese of Rhode Island: [2013].
Form: Witness and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant Report
Diocese of Rhode Island: [2013].
Rio Grande
Response to the Commission
Mary Jewell, Assistant to the Bishop: October 10, 2013.
Rochester
Response to Commission
The Rev. Michael W. Hopkins, Standing Committee: October 13, 2013.
A Review of Guidelines for Clergy and Marriages in the Diocese of Rochester
Diocese of Rochester: [2011].
Marriage Equality in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester FAQs
Diocese of Rochester: [2011].
Some Facts and Thoughts about Marriage
The Rev. Michael W. Hopkins, Standing Committee: September 23, 2011.
San Diego
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes: January 17, 2013.
Guidelines for Same Gender Blessings
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes: June 22, 2010.
Southern Ohio
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal: January 18, 2013.
Guidelines for Same Sex Blessings
The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal: 2010.
Southern Virginia
Response to Commission
Leah Sicignano, Executive Secretary to the Bishop: March 4, 2013.
Southwest Florida
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith: March 6, 2013.
Springfield
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. Daniel H. Martins: January 18, 2013.
Tennessee
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: March 2, 2013.
Upper South Carolina
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo: January 16, 2013.
Vermont
Response to Commission
The Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely: January 16, 2013.
Blessings and Marriage for Same Sex Couples
The Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely: November 27, 2012.
Washington
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde: March 2, 2013.
Bishop's Guidelines for Same-Sex Marriages
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde: November 2012.
West Tennessee
Response to the Commission
The Rev. Canon Zabron A. Davis: March 7, 2013.
Three Steps in West Tennessee for the Use of the Provisional Liturgies of Blessing
Diocese of West Tennessee: October 20, 2012.
West Texas
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge: March 5, 2013.
West Virginia
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer: January 18, 2013.
Western Louisiana
First Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby: March 6, 2013.
Second Response to the Commission
The Very Rev. John Bedingfield: May 29, 2015.
Western Massachusetts
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher: June 4, 2013.
Western Michigan
Response to the Commission
The Rev. Canon William J. Spaid, Canon to the Ordinary: February 8, 2013.
Western New York
Response to the Commission
The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin: January 17, 2013.
Last update December 5, 2013
Retired March 4, 2021