Diocese of Huron Same Sex Unions

The Diocese of Huron

Protocols, Guidelines and Evaluation Document for
The Celebration of a Civil Marriage
With same-sex Couples

November 26, 2009

The Bishop of Huron has called for appropriate liturgies to celebrate the love, mutual fidelity and support that gay and lesbian Anglicans model every day for the church and wider community. This following liturgical resource is approved for use in the Diocese of Huron together with the following protocols.

Protocols

1. These celebrations are understood to be a pastoral response to same-sex couples in our communities. The rite is to be part of a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. It is noted that there is to be no exchange of vows, no exchange of rings and no nuptial blessing.

2. The clergy involved must seek the Bishop’s support and written permission a minimum of sixty (60) days before the proposed celebration.

3. Matters pertaining to the use of facilities, ceremonial planning and local arrangements will be made with the approval of the Rector of the parish in which the celebration is to take place.

4. It is required that at least one member of the couple be a baptized member of a congregation in the Diocese of Huron.

5. Appropriate pastoral support and instruction must be given at the local level in order to prepare the couple for the celebration and their ongoing Christian life in relationship.

6. As with all liturgical celebrations of the church, these events will be entered into the Parish Register (Vestry Book).

7. Clergy from beyond the Diocese of Huron shall obtain permission from the Bishop of Huron and their own Bishop.

8. Any member of the clergy may decline to preside at these celebrations.

Guidelines

The Eucharistic Rite for the Celebration of Civil Marriage is the same as all other Eucharistic celebrations except for PART 3 which is prescribed in the attached document. No part of the text (in PART 3) may be altered.

Structure of the Rite:

PART 1: The Gathering of the Community

a) a song, hymn, or piece of music (where possible)

b) a gathering responsorial prayer or greeting

c) a collect

PART 2: The Proclamation of the Word

a) one or more readings from the Holy Scriptures

b) a song, hymn or piece of music (if desired)

c) a sermon or homily

PART 3: The Prayers of the People (attached)

a) exhortation and proclamation (presider)

b) litany (prayer leader)

c) blessing of God and recognition of relationship (whole assembly)

d) the Peace

e) song, hymn or piece of music

PART 4: The Celebration of the Eucharist

PART 5: Blessing and Dismissal

a) doxology and/or blessing of the congregation

b) final song, hymn, or piece of music

Evaluation

1 The Bishop’s office (Church House) will keep a record of the celebration and any comments, concerns, suggestions that may come forward to improve these celebrations. Clergy are asked to send a copy of the liturgy and any additional materials shortly after the celebration.

2. Guided by the Bishops, the Doctrine and Worship committee of the Diocese of Huron will carry out an ongoing evaluation.

Click to view the Celebration of Civil Marriage, with Same-Sex Couples Liturgy

I email you in the early days following our 167th Synod. One of the key messages I shared in my charge was where I am at on the issue before the Church regarding Same Sex Blessings.
I want to emphasize that nothing has changed in Huron since General Synod of 2007 as it relates to same sex blessings. The Diocese of Huron Doctrine and Worship Committee will meet and develop appropriate prayers for my consideration as per the House of Bishops Statement to members of General Synod 2007. As the House of Bishops Statement says, “When a civilly married gay or lesbian couple seeks our church’s reception of their civil marriage and asks their parish’s recognition, it may be possible, with their bishop’s knowledge and permission, to celebrate a Eucharist with the couple, including appropriate intercessory prayers but not including a nuptial blessing.”. Let me reiterate and be perfectly clear, that as we await General Synod 2010, the Diocese of Huron will maintain the moratorium agreed to at Lambeth. +Bob

"Our mission is to reflect Gods abundant love as we call people into lives of generosity and wholeness"
Huron Stewardship Statement
June 28, 2007
The Right Reverend BruceH .W . Howe
Bishop.pHCp ron
'1'0 the clergy of the Diocese of Huron
From: The Bishop of Huron

Greetings everyone. Trust you are beginning some well needed vacation or anticipating
some. Bishop Bob is beginning vacation for the month of July.
As I write this I have been home for just 24 hours with 'lots of catch up' to do. We had a
strong delegation who were faithful in attendance throughout the very long days with no
free time. In addition to our first email for those, without web cast or internet, I wanted
to write a few notes on the subject of sames ex/gender blessings. While Bishop Bob and
I discussed and agreed what needs to be said, he hasnot seen these actual words. Our
House of Bishops, with divergent views, continue to walk together as a community. We
were all there for Archbishop Fred's installation and we were together for our first
meeting with our new Primate on Tuesday.

Let me share what I believe is obvious:
The prohibition on same sex blessings is still in effect in the Diocese of Huron. General
Synod did not approve it and even if it had we haven't discussed it in the Diocese.
Having said that the Bishops in session on Tuesday had consensus that the Statement
from the House of Bishops to the Members of General Synod stands and is in effect. Let
me quote from part of the statement and you can read the full text on the internet or
request it from this office.

When a civilly married gay or lesbian couple seeks our church's
reception of their civil marriage and asks their parish's recognition,
it may be possible, with their bishop's knowledge and permission, to
celebrate a Eucharist with the couple, including appropriate intercessory
prayers but not including a nuptial blessing.

When a gay or lesbian married or committed couple seeks to hold a
reception or celebration in a church for their life in Christ, again
intercessory prayers for their mutual fidelity, the deepening of their
discipleship and for their baptismal ministry may be offered, not
including the exchange of vows and/or nuptial blessing.

Huron Church House
190 Queen's Avenue, London, Ontario N6A 6H7
Phone: (519) 434-6893 or 1-800-919-1115 (ON) Fax: (519) 673-4151
E-mail: bishops@huron.anglican.ca