Charlottesville Church to Begin Blessing Same-Sex Couples

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Updated: 9:52 PM Oct 5, 2011 Charlottesville Church to Begin Blessing Same-Sex Couples An Episcopal church in Charlottesville has changed its policy and will soon begin blessing same-sex couples. Posted: 5:25 PM Oct 5, 2011 Reporter: Chris Stover Email Address: chris.stover@newsplex.com

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October 5, 2011

After years of debate, Saint Paul's Memorial Church on the University of Virginia Corner will soon begin blessing same-sex couples.

Rector James Richardson expects St. Paul's, located across University Avenue from the Rotunda, will begin the ceremonies sometime next spring after the Bishop for the Diocese of Virginia granted the church permission earlier this year.

"The traditional teaching of the church is something different, so how do we grapple with that?" he asked. "We needed to put in context our own situation with the biblical principles of love and commitment and faithfulness."

Rector Richardson says the same-sex blessings are a way to include all members of the church and ensure the entire congregation feels welcomed. He compares it to the controversy of women being ordained as ministers 30 years ago or African-Americans joining the church three generations ago.

“We have long struggled with how do we include gay and lesbian people. I see this as part of the long struggle to include those people within the church of Jesus,” said Rector Richardson, who shared shared the news with the congregation two weeks ago.

To be clear, Rector Richardson says St. Paul's will not offer gay marriage ceremonies. Despite that, he is aware of the potentially controversial nature of the decision to perform same-sex blessings.

"I think there are people in the community who are not open to this who may react in a hateful manner," he said.

Rector Richardson does not believe he is taking a political stance by announcing the same-sex blessings. In fact, he says the ceremonies have nothing to do with marriage laws in Virginia.

I don't view this as politics," he explained. "It is our constitutional right to view church in our way and bless people as we feel that we are called to bless people."

And although some members of the church may not be on board with offering same-sex blessings, he is confident everyone will agree to disagree.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Danielle Location: Charlottesville, VA on Oct 28, 2011 at 04:17 PM

I completely applaud St. Paul's for taking this step, but am a bit confused about why are okay blessing same-sex unions but not with actually performing a marriage ceremony? I agree with others who have commented that the Church is picking and choosing the verses to follow, but you can't pin that one on Episcopalians specifically -- every single denomination of every church does so. It's completely unavoidable, because the Bible directly contradicts itself in so many places. I'm proud of St. Paul's, however, for doing what I believe is right. I suspect 20 years from now, our children will look back and be as shocked by the controversy this created as I would be to hear of controversy over allowing blacks into the congregation.

Posted by: Steve on Oct 20, 2011 at 11:10 PM

Jesus said to love everyone, but he also told them to repent of their sins and follow Him for that is the way of salvation. He told us that helping someone avoid sin is to truly love them. He did not instruct us to accept, encourage, or embrace their sins because of love. Homosexuality is defined as sin in the new testament and therefore is defined as sin under both the Mosaic law and the new covenant. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,Romans 1:24-32. While many of the harsh laws of Moses may not apply to Christians today, many of the principles those punishments were intended to correct do still apply. (ten commandments, etc.) While you can disagree with using the Bible as authority, those wishing to make a biblical argument for supporting homosexuality as a lifestyle cannot do so.

Posted by: G Location: C'ville on Oct 7, 2011 at 08:45 AM

Also, don't eat shrimp.

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