Sunday: Your turn to discuss traditional marriage and same-sex marriage at our adult forum

Icon of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus,
with Christ blessing them,
St. Catherine's Monestary, Sinai, 303 C.E.
Was it marriage?

First, my apologies for not posting the last few days. I've taken a few days off, and life in our household has been focused on Lori's recovery from knee surgery. She is now walking without a crutch or cane and is keeping up with her physical therapy regimen.

I will get back to posting regularly here next week, and do please avail yourself of the Lenten reflections by members of St. Paul's (just click the purple cross on the left). For our adult forum on Sunday we will be continuing our series on the issues of traditional marriage and same-sex marriage. It's your turn to talk.

We will have an open discussion, beginning with this question: Has anything in the previous forums caught your attention or been eye-opening in ways you have seen these issues before? If you missed our presentations, start by clicking HERE for Part I. You can find the other presentations by clicking HERE and scrolling to find the one you missed.

Also, we will look at the resolution approved by General Convention in 2009 that has essentially authorized bishops to move ahead with same-sex blessings. To give you a head start, here is the resolution, C056:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further 

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further 

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further 

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further 

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.