I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing - Marriage Liturgy - Revised and Expanded Edition 2015

Sep 4, 2026

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Liturgical Resources 1 presents the revised and expanded marriage liturgy “I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing,” authorized by the 78th General Convention in 2015. It includes a certificate of conformity, introductions to the revised and first editions, and theological reflection on blessing same-sex relationships through faith, hope, and love. The volume also offers pastoral resources for preparing couples, liturgical orders for covenant and marriage, a structured discussion guide, and appendices covering the marriage canon and legal terminology.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages158

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Revised and Expanded Edition

Introduction to the First Edition (2012)

Faith, Hope, and Love: Theological Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships

Hearing, Seeing, and Declaring New Things: Pastoral Resources for Preparing Couples for a Liturgy of Blessing or Marriage

Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships

Discussion Guide to “I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing” (Revised and Expanded Edition)

Appendices

Liturgical Resources 1 “I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing” Revised and Expanded Edition As authorized by the 78th General Convention, 2015 Certificate I certify that this edition of the “Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” conforms to the version approved for use by the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in 2015. I further certify that this edition of “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage” and “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2,” from “Liturgical Resources I: I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing, Revised and Expanded 2015”” conforms to the version approved for trial use by the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in 2015. Juan Oliver Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer Advent 2015 Table of Contents I. Introduction to the Revised and Expanded Edition II. Introduction to the First Edition (2012) III. Faith, Hope, and Love: Theological Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships Preface Overview: Theological Reflection on Same-Sex Relationships 1. The Church’s Call: A Focus on Mission 2. The Church’s Joy: A Theology of Blessing 3. The Church’s Life: Covenantal Relationship 4. The Church’s Challenge: Christian Unity and Biblical Interpretation Responses to “Faith, Hope, and Love” a. Thomas E. Breidenthal b. John E. Goldingay c. Deirdre Good d. Dora Rudo Mbuwayesango e. George R. Sumner f. Fredrica Harris Thompsett IV. Hearing, Seeing, and Declaring New Things: Pastoral Resources for Preparing Couples for a Liturgy of Blessing or Marriage Overview: Pastoral Care for Gender and Sexual Minority Couples 1. Available Resources: Materials for Pastoral Preparation 2. Particular Issues Affecting Gender and Sexual Minority Couples 3. Presenters 4. Outline of Pre-Blessing/Marriage Preparation for Gender and Sexual Minority Couples Handouts 1. Theological Reflection on Covenantal Relationship: Spiritual Practice for Gender and Sexual Minority Couples 2. Declaration of Intention for Marriage 3. Declaration of Intention for Lifelong Covenant 4. About Presenters—For the Couple 5. Information for Presenters 6. Model Congregational Guidelines V. Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships 1. The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant (revised) 2. The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage 3. The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage (2) a. The Blessing of a Civil Marriage b. An Order for Marriage VI. Discussion Guide to “I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing”(revised and expanded edition) Introduction to the Discussion Guide 1. Study Area One: History 2. Study Area Two: Theology and the Bible 3. Study Area Three: Liturgy 4. Study Area Four: Civil and Canon Law 5. Study Area Five: Mission Handouts A. Covenant for Discussion B. Understanding the History C. An Introduction to General Convention D. Relationships and Blessing: Reflection Questions E. Theological Reflection on Same-Sex Relationships: A Summary of “Faith, Hope, and Love” F. Principles for Evaluating Liturgical Materials VII. Appendices 1. A History of the Marriage Canon 2. Marriage Canons 3. A Review of General Convention Legislation 4. Consultation on Same-Sex Marriage: Executive Summary of Evaluations 5. Glossary of Legal and Canonical Terms I. Introduction to the Revised and Expanded Edition In 2012, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church commended “Liturgical Resources 1: I Will Bless You, and You Will Be a Blessing” for study and use throughout The Episcopal Church. In the 2013-2015 triennium, the materials were widely used in a number of dioceses, and the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) invited responses through several avenues. This new volume is the result of this process. Responses to Liturgical Resources 1 In January 2013, the SCLM asked bishops of The Episcopal Church to report whether they had authorized the litur

FAQs

What does the 2015 certificate in the document certify?

It certifies that this edition conforms to the version approved for use by the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in 2015, and that related editions conform to the version approved for trial use in 2015.

How did the revised and expanded volume come about?

It resulted from a multi-stage response process between 2012 and 2015, including reports from dioceses, an online survey, and an international ecumenical consultation hosted in 2014.

What themes and resources are included for blessing same-sex relationships?

The document provides theological reflection focused on covenantal relationship, pastoral resources for preparing couples, liturgical orders for witnessing and blessing, and a discussion guide plus evaluation principles and supporting appendices.

Sep 4, 2026

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