Posted on 03/27/2006 12:39:50 PM PST by sionnsar
(Note: CLAIMING the BLESSING is "the intentional collaborative effort of the three leading Episcopal LGBT organizations (Integrity, Oasis and Beyond Inclusion), in partnership with Witness Magazine and other justice organizations and individual leaders in the Episcopal Church," working to obtain approval of same-sex blessing rites in the Episcopal Church, as well as affirmation by the Church of homosexual relationships in general. Claiming the Blessing's own words for its purposes are that the group focuses "on promoting wholeness in human relationships, abolishing prejudice and oppression, and healing the rift between sexuality and spirituality in the Church.")
Source: InchataTime (blog for the Rev. Susan Russell, President of Integrity USA)
Posted March 25, 2006
So what exactly is "Claiming the Blessing" going to DO at General Convention?" is a really good question -- and here's the really good answer: the "hot off the presses" Claiming the Blessing Platform just crafted by the CTB Steering Committee meeting in conjunction with members of the Integrity Board in Beautiful Downtown Columbus.
Claiming the Blessing Platform
A Proclamation for the Episcopal Church
The Claiming the Blessing (CTB) Steering Committee is an all-volunteer committee representing a broad constituency of progressive Episcopal voices. Members are LGBT and straight, lay and ordained, old and young –all with a deep love of The Episcopal Church and a firm commitment to classic Anglicanism.
As baptized Christians, we commit our lives to:
· the celebration of the goodness of all creatures and creation as given to us by God;
· our relationship with Jesus the Christ;
· the discernment of truth as revealed in Holy Scripture and the work of the Spirit;
· the indivisibility of spirituality, prayer and politics as modeled by the prophets and apostles;
· peace with justice as proclaimed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;
· truth and reconciliation as articulated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu;
· the vision of the Beloved Community as revealed in the table fellowship of Jesus.
We come to the 2006 General Convention in Columbus compelled to communicate our identity, articulate our beliefs and convey our sense of call to prophetic action and pastoral presence.
Therefore, we call the Church to:
· Work for full civil marriage equality.
· Clarify our theology of marriage, family and human sexuality.
· Oppose the limitation of adoption and other civil contracts on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity and expression.
· Study the role of clergy as civil magistrates in marriage.
· Reaffirm the sacredness of long-term committed relationships, as articulated in D039” “We expect such relationships will be characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.” (GC 2000)
· Authorize the development of liturgical rites of blessings where civil marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships are a reality, and elsewhere.
· Support universal domestic partnership benefits.
· Affirm human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people worldwide.
· Work for an end to the violence against LGBT people throughout the global village.
· Engage the international community in a listening process which includes the active voices and full presence of LGBT people.
· Embrace a theology of abundance; reject the theology of scarcity, fear and scapegoating; and commit ourselves to proclaim and live the good news of Christ Jesus.
· Reaffirm that all orders of ministry are open to all the Baptized who are otherwise qualified.
· Establish as church policy the commitment not to meet in those places where justice and liberation for all God’s children, including LGBT people, are absent in state law or local ordinance.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. There is in all of the above a remarkable lack of reference to the SINs of mankind and the NEED for a REDEEMER. God forbid that we should take stock of our imperfections, declare them to be SIN and REPENT before Almighty God, rather than insist that His Majesty ignore the wrechedness of our human condition and accept us without requiring reform. Nowhere is there mention of the call to HOLINESS that is upon every believer. This whole agenda is repugnant to Scripture and the revealed word of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Who do these people think they are? Children of the Devil, that's who.
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