Approval of Use of Rite of Same Sex Blessings
February 6, 2014
(Missoula, Montana) The governing body of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church recently unanimously approved the use of the rite of Same Sex Blessings, affirming the stance of The Episcopal Church in its decision to develop a rite for the blessing of faithful, monogamous relationships. This rite to bless a lifelong covenant is not a ceremony of marriage, which is currently not legal in the state of Montana, but a blessing of the committed relationship of two people of the same sex. Holy Spirit is one of three Episcopal churches in Montana to make this decision.
Holy Spirit, which in the 1980s also became the first Episcopal church in Montana to hire a woman in an ordained role, has a history of being an inclusive church. “It’s part of our mission statement that we ‘recognize and value all of God’s people,’ so it made sense when the vestry approved of the use of this rite,” said the Rev. Terri Ann Grotzinger, rector of Holy Spirit. “We have a very diverse congregation—from very liberal to very conservative, but one thing we share is that we respect each others’ differences and we value inclusivity.”
On a national level, in 1976 The Episcopal Church formally acknowledged and affirmed persons of homosexual orientation as “children of God,” having “full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the church,” and in 1994 added sexual orientation to those categories to which non-discrimination in Church membership is assured. In 2012, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church authorized “the witnessing and blessing of a lifelong covenant for same sex couples,” under the permission of and with provisions determined by the bishop in each diocese.
When Montana’s bishop, the Rt. Rev. C. Franklin Brookhart, gave his approval for Episcopal churches in the diocese of Montana to pursue the approval on an individual basis, three churches, including Holy Spirit in Missoula, began the discernment process that led to subsequent approval. Saint James’ Episcopal Church in Bozeman and Calvary Episcopal Church in Red Lodge also have since approved the rite.
Senior Warden, Bob Wattenberg, praised the process that the church went through to come to the decision. “The process relied heavily on the consideration of scripture, reason and tradition together,” he said. “But we also recognized that not everyone will necessarily agree with this decision and we will respect one another’s differences, something Episcopalians have done throughout our history.”
Grotzinger said that although the church does not currently have any Same Sex Blessings scheduled, she anticipates that will change as those seeking such a rite in a supportive faith community hear of the decision.
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church is located at 130 S. Sixth St. in Missoula. Services take place at 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. every Sunday. For more information go to www.holyspiritmissoula.org or call 542-2167.
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