nenya_kanadka (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nenya_kanadka) wrote2012-07-26 11:18 pm
nenya_kanadka) wrote2012-07-26 11:18 pm
Entry tags:
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light
I am reliably informed that three things make a post.
1) This month, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the USA released a first draft of an official liturgy for the blessing of a same-sex marriage. The section in the report is called "I Will Bless You, and You Will Be A Blessing"; the entire Report can be found here in PDF format (discussion on the same-sex liturgy starts on p. 184, actual proposed service p. 241).
Some excerpts from The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant:
opening comments:
some of the collects:
There is also an option specifically for families with children.
vows:
[bracketed sections are optional, which I feel shows sensitivity to couples who may want a church wedding without having God in every sentence; this seems especially important to be aware of for LGBT people who may have bad history with the church]
Blessing of the rings has an option for:
which I like because it acknowledges the complex social and legal status of a lot of gay couples.
blessings:
The whole thing is pretty damn explicitly Christian (what does one expect, it's the Episcopal Church!) which makes my agnostic-in-self-defense side twitch a bit after a while. But at the same time, it is an explicitly Christian blessing of queer relationships. It kind of blows my mind in that respect. To hear all these blessings, to hear same-sex love equated with the love of Christ for the church, to be held up as an example of faithfulness and good true things...that just curls up around my heart and makes me go "Ohhh," with happiness.
There's also the fact that the several years I spent in the Episcopal church were the happiest I've ever been in a church, and just the rhythm of the liturgy takes me back to that time and reminds me of the wonderful people I met there and the sense of love that our tiny church exuded from the walls. Also, the liturgy is really pretty. :D
I also wouldn't be surprised if a lot of different-sex couples use these rites at some point.
Other things:
2) Ode To Joy flashmob: fifty-something musicians (bass, cello, violin, horns, and at the end vocals) perform gloriously in a public square. The best part of this is the people in the audience: all the reactions, all the happiness, all the little kids playing conductor. I'm not ashamed to say I sniffled as the crescendo rose towards the end. It's apparently also in support of some bank or other, but I really don't care. It's gorgeous.
3) Just Another Princess Movie: a review of Brave, about the surprising ways in which it isn't Just Another One. I love her point about how she as a female viewer sees things in it that her male friends didn't, because she's hyper-aware of the tropes for female characters. This review syncs pretty well with my response to the movie and why I walked out of the theatre glowing gently on the inside. Fair warning: spoileriffic review.
Bonus things (a trilogy in five parts):
4) Sally Ride was gay. Holy crap. :D :D :D Sally Fucking Ride.
5) This picture of kd lang from the cover of "Drag." You guys, I am so sad I lived under a rock in my teen years. (I got to see her live at a music fest a couple of weeks ago. OMG, such stage presence, so much charm. *flailyhands*)
1) This month, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the USA released a first draft of an official liturgy for the blessing of a same-sex marriage. The section in the report is called "I Will Bless You, and You Will Be A Blessing"; the entire Report can be found here in PDF format (discussion on the same-sex liturgy starts on p. 184, actual proposed service p. 241).
Some excerpts from The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant:
opening comments:
Dear friends in Christ, we have gathered together today to witness N. N. and N. N. publically committing themselves to one another and, in the name of the Church, to bless their union: a relationship of mutual fidelity and steadfast love, forsaking all others, holding one another in tenderness and respect, in strength and bravery, come what may, as long as they live.
Ahead of them is a life of joy and sorrow, of blessing and struggle, of gain and loss, demanding of them the kind of self-giving love made manifest to us in the life of Jesus. Christ stands among us today, calling these two people always to witness in their life together to the generosity of his life for the sake of the world, a life in which Christ calls us all to share.
Let us pray, then, that they may be strengthened for the promises they make this day, and that we will have the generosity to support them in what they undertake and the wisdom to see God at work in their life together.
some of the collects:
Almighty and everliving God: look tenderly upon N. and N., who stand before you in the company of your Church. Lift them up in joy in their life together. Grant them so to love selflessly and live humbly, that they may be to one another and to the world a witness and a sign of your never-failing care; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, to the ages of ages. Amen.
or this
O God, faithful and true, whose steadfast love endures for ever: we give you thanks for sustaining N. and N. in the life they share and for bringing them to this day. Nurture them and fill them with joy in their life together, continuing the good work you have begun in them; and grant us, with them, a dwelling place eternal in the heavens where all your people will share the joy of perfect love, and where you, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
There is also an option specifically for families with children.
vows:
In the name of God, I, N., give myself to you, N. I will support and care for you [by the grace of God]: enduring all things, bearing all things. I will hold and cherish you [in the love of Christ]: in times of plenty, in times of want. I will honor and keep you [with the Spirit’s help]: forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.
[bracketed sections are optional, which I feel shows sensitivity to couples who may want a church wedding without having God in every sentence; this seems especially important to be aware of for LGBT people who may have bad history with the church]
Blessing of the rings has an option for:
If the two have previously given and worn rings as a symbol of their commitment, the rings may be blessed on the hands of the couple.
which I like because it acknowledges the complex social and legal status of a lot of gay couples.
blessings:
Most gracious God, we praise you for the tender mercy and unfailing care revealed to us in Jesus the Christ and for the great joy and comfort bestowed upon us in the gift of human love. We give you thanks for N. and N., and the covenant of faithfulness they have made. Pour out the abundance of your Holy Spirit upon them. Keep them in your steadfast love; protect them from all danger; fill them with your wisdom and peace; lead them in holy service to each other and the world.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you, and mercifully grant you rich and boundless grace, that you may please God in body and soul. God make you a sign of the loving-kindness and steadfast fidelity manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, and bring you at last to the delight of the heavenly banquet, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
The whole thing is pretty damn explicitly Christian (what does one expect, it's the Episcopal Church!) which makes my agnostic-in-self-defense side twitch a bit after a while. But at the same time, it is an explicitly Christian blessing of queer relationships. It kind of blows my mind in that respect. To hear all these blessings, to hear same-sex love equated with the love of Christ for the church, to be held up as an example of faithfulness and good true things...that just curls up around my heart and makes me go "Ohhh," with happiness.
There's also the fact that the several years I spent in the Episcopal church were the happiest I've ever been in a church, and just the rhythm of the liturgy takes me back to that time and reminds me of the wonderful people I met there and the sense of love that our tiny church exuded from the walls. Also, the liturgy is really pretty. :D
I also wouldn't be surprised if a lot of different-sex couples use these rites at some point.
Other things:
2) Ode To Joy flashmob: fifty-something musicians (bass, cello, violin, horns, and at the end vocals) perform gloriously in a public square. The best part of this is the people in the audience: all the reactions, all the happiness, all the little kids playing conductor. I'm not ashamed to say I sniffled as the crescendo rose towards the end. It's apparently also in support of some bank or other, but I really don't care. It's gorgeous.
3) Just Another Princess Movie: a review of Brave, about the surprising ways in which it isn't Just Another One. I love her point about how she as a female viewer sees things in it that her male friends didn't, because she's hyper-aware of the tropes for female characters. This review syncs pretty well with my response to the movie and why I walked out of the theatre glowing gently on the inside. Fair warning: spoileriffic review.
Bonus things (a trilogy in five parts):
4) Sally Ride was gay. Holy crap. :D :D :D Sally Fucking Ride.
5) This picture of kd lang from the cover of "Drag." You guys, I am so sad I lived under a rock in my teen years. (I got to see her live at a music fest a couple of weeks ago. OMG, such stage presence, so much charm. *flailyhands*)
no subject
Somehow I feel that "Jesus the Christ" should be replaced as well, though. With what, though? Hmm.