And what about those dioceses, parishes, clergy and lay people who support marriage remaining only between one man and one woman? Will there be any addition that upholds their right to believe and preside over marriages that they believe are marriages to begin with?

No priest has to preside at any marriage of anyone -- it is in the canons. We can refuse any wedding, blessing or whatever and do not have to explain why. I am sorry you do not want people who love each other to be able to marry in the church and have the church support their life with each other but you will not be asked to do it. The Consultation is just trying to make rites available for those of us want to or are already doing weddings.

I don't make any apologies for my beliefs. I just feel that that fact should be restated so it can be universally known to those for and against it.

Nicole- there are other groups who lobby your beliefs - The Consultation is made up of those groups in the church who don't hold those ideas. Here the list of member organizations:
Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission http://www.associatedparishes.org/

Coalición de Episcopales Latinos http://www.c-e-l.org/

Episcopal Appalachian Ministries http://www.visit-eam.org

Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry Advocates

Episcopal Church Publishing Company http://www.thewitness.org

Episcopal Ecological Network http://eenonline.org/

Episcopal Network for Economic Justice http://www.enej.org/

Episcopal Peace Fellowship http://epfnational.org

Episcopal Urban Caucus http://www.episcopalurbancaucus.org

Episcopal Women's Caucus http://www.ewc-ecusa.org

Integrity http://www.integrityusa.org

TransEpiscopal http://transepiscopal.blogspot.com/

Union of Black Episcopalians http://www.ube.org/

So what other groups actually do, besides the Communion Partners? Seems like all of those are with the Consultation...

So much for my wanting to be a member of UBE....

About 30 years ago, there used to be a saying: "Men of quality are not threatened by women seeking equality."

I substituting "Straight" and "Gay" in the saying to be quite meet and right.

JC Fisher

Ooops, insert "I believe substituting..."

JC Fisher

Substitute whatever you wish Mr.Fisher. Still doesn't sway me.

These sound like worthy goals. Those who don't agree can lobby the other way. That is how it has always been done.

Gary Paul Gilbert

With all of the emphasis in the prelude on baptism, baptismal covenant, baptismal ecclesiology, and baptismal identity, I'm rather surprised that this document doesn't advocate a strengthening of the importance of Baptism against practices like "Communion Without Baptism" that serve to undercut the aforementioned baptismal identity and covenant.

Derek, because it's a cover for their true platform, which is basically a LGBT exclusive one. I didn't realize at first that it was just another lobbying group, and it isn't what's entirely on the church's agenda, although the things that are mentioned are the things that this particular group wants to see happen. The Communion without Baptism will be voted on and I for one hopes it fails overwhelming, other things should too, but one can dream.

Nicole, you are just displaying your ignorance about this organization and the long history of its members at this point. You are entitled to your views on issues. You aren't entitled to misrepresent the life's work of good and faithful people. Please be more temperate.

Nicole -they are not a cover group -- each group has its own agenda but they come together on what they agree on. For instance UBE supports development and support of Black Episcopalians in lay and ordained ministries. They have been active in getting everyone to do anti-racism training. In the past they had to work on just getting recognition of Black Episcopalians --why don't you talk to some of the membership about all the other things they do. Same with other groups - Women's Caucus was a prime mover of efforts for women to be General Convention Deputies, ordained as priests and bishops. If you go to each web site you will see the breadth of work each does. Sorry you are writing them all off because you don't want LGBT equality in the church.

I respect your opinion Jim, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Ann+,I'm well aware of what those groups did, I wasn't aware that they supported this however. I'm not sorry for not supporting them.

I respect your opinion, too, Nicole. But this really isn't a matter of opinion. It is a matter of fact that these organizations have long histories of involvement on a wide range of issues. So to say that their platform is "LGBT exclusive" and that these people use the Baptismal Covenant as a "cover" for that agenda is simply incorrect.

Ok,Jim.

Thank you. I have appreciated the way you have been able to handle some of the vigorous disagreements people here have had with you while still keeping your cool.

So Claiming the Blessing has dropped out of The Consultation?