Notes from Special Vestry Meeting

April 20, 2008

Topic: Blessing of Same-Sex Unions

At a vestry meeting of the congregation on Sunday April 20th 2008, attended by 140 people, the following motions were passed:

"That this Vestry of St. John the Divine request the following motion be considered by our diocesan synod: That this synod request the Bishop to allow clergy, whose conscience permits, to bless the duly solemnized and registered civil marriages between same-sex couples, where at least one party is baptized, and to authorize rites for such blessings."

In relation to the Inclusive church gift of communion request, the Vestry passed the following:

That this Vestry affirm the following:

"As Christians, we believe that all people have been made in the image of God. We believe that God loves each and every person with an infinite, never-ending, unconditional love. As members of the body of Christ, we acknowledge each person's unique and valuable contribution as we seek together to build up that body in love. As members of the Anglican Communion, we celebrate the gift of our diversity and are committed to being a broad Church that accepts and welcomes difference. We acknowledge our need of God's forgiveness for the sins and failings which harm our shared witness in the world. We believe our unity is rooted in our baptism in Christ, and we will seek to maintain that unity through the grace of the Holy Spirit who lives and works in each one of us." and that our approval of this motion be forwarded to the "gift of communion" web site.