B e y o n d I n c l u s i o n
Beyond Inclusion plays a cooperative role in the work of convincing the Episcopal Church to develop rites for the blessing of couples living in life-long committed relationships other than marriage.
During the last three years, our cooperative role has grown into fostering a more formal joining of forces with our sisters and brothers from other justice organizations to ensure that we will claim the blessing at General Convention 2003.
In April 2001 and January 2002, we were thrilled to be able to host two meetings at the College of Preachers in Washington, DC.
Claiming the Blessing
The outgrowth of these meetings, Claiming the Blessing, is a collaborative effort among some of the leading justice organizations in the Episcopal Church --
This partnership also includes individual clergy and lay leaders from parishes and dioceses from all regions of the country. We also have support from friends in the worldwide Anglican Communion who will be joining us in this endeavor.
A theology statement
A committee led by Julie Wortman, editor and publisher of The Witness, has developed a statement on the theology of blessing. This document was designed for the "person in the pew", and sets forth in a clear and concise way the reasons why now is the time for the Episcopal Church to endorse the development of such a rite. It provides answers to the hard questions, such as "Why not wait just a while longer, to keep peace in the Anglican Communion?" This statement has been distributed to all Bishops, and will be mailed to Deputies soon. We anticipate that prominent Anglican scholars and theologians will be endorsing this theology statement.
A conference
A draft of the theology statement was released and discussed at a Claiming the Blessing Conference at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis, held November 7, 8, and 9, 2002. The weekend included awe-inspiring speakers and workshops, as well as planning for General Convention 2003. Integrity has all the links you need to review the conference, and you can read the Episcopal News Service story, as well.
Beyond Inclusion was an integral part of the planning and organizing of this conference. and is also the host for Beyond Inclusion's offices, with Executive Director the Rev. Susan Russell in our offices in Pasadena.