Source:  Louisville Courier-Journal

March 6, 2010
By Peter Smith

A Louisville congregation has quietly become the first in the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky to begin blessing same-sex relationships.

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church conducted its first such blessing late last year, for two male members of the congregation, after voting last April to approve such ceremonies.

The move, while not reflecting diocesan policy, is a milestone in one of the state's denominations that generally has been the most accepting of gay members and ministers. But it also has complicated efforts to maintain unity, given that some churches and members oppose homosexuality.

The Rev. Lucinda Laird of St. Matthew's stressed that the ceremony was not presented as a civil or sacramental wedding - since neither Kentucky nor the Episcopal Church recognizes same-sex marriages.

Nor, she said, was it presented as any other type of official rite of the national church. The church adapted a same-sex liturgy used by an Anglican diocese in western Canada.

St. Matthew's approved a policy allowing blessings of same-sex relationships in April 2009 after two years of study. The church also took affirmation from the denomination's main legislative body - the General Convention - which in July 2009 called for "a generous pastoral response" toward same-sex couples.

"We believe that committed Christians can differ in their interpretation of Scripture" on homosexuality, Laird said. "We see in Scripture a constant demand for justice and the radical love and inclusivity of Jesus."

St. Matthew's neither broadcast the change widely nor kept it secret, Laird said, noting that the church has posted minutes of its deliberations on its Web site. As word of the change filtered out among Episcopalians, Bishop Ted Gulick, who will be retiring later this year, issued a statement neither approving nor opposing the ceremony.

Gulick maintained he could not authorize same-sex rites because the denomination has not approved them for its foundational Book of Common Prayer. But he has left the door open to private ceremonies. . .

Read the entire article here. 

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