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A Statement by the Steering Committee
of the Claiming the Blessing Collaborative,
Meeting in the Diocese of Dallas on May 28, 2004
We continue to work for authorization by the Episcopal Church of rites for the blessing of same-sex couples in committed relationships.
We are overjoyed at the marriages of same-sex couples now occurring, but our joy is tempered by the decision of some bishops to prohibit clergy from officiating at such marriages.
We believe the lack of separation of church and state regarding marriage needs to be carefully scrutinized.
We will work for change in the Church’s national Canons on marriage, and in the marriage rites in The Book of Common Prayer to make the canons and prayer book rites gender neutral.
As all of these issues are considered and addressed, we will stand in solidarity with those who feel called to acts of constructive disobedience by officiating at the marriages of same-sex couples.
The Steering Committee of Claiming the Blessing:
Peggy Adams, Pasadena CAEd Bacon, Pasadena CACynthia Black, Kalamazoo MIKim Byham, Newark NJLouie Crew, Newark NJEthan Flad, Oakland CARosa Lee Harden, San Francisco CAMichael Hopkins, Glen Dale MDElizabeth Kaeton, Chatham NJJoseph Lane, Belmont CAChristine Mackey-Mason, Pasadena CASusan Russell, Pasadena CAKatie Sherrod, Fort Worth TXJim White, Pasadena CAMay 28, 2004 CTB Steering Committee Statement
