The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of North Carolina, has issued revised guidelines for blessing same-sex couples in churches of the diocese.
A new opening address and a new pronouncement ground the ceremony in state law:
We have gathered together today
to witness N. N. and N. N. [publicly] committing themselves to one another
in marriage according to the laws of the state of North Carolina,
and, in the name of the Church, to bless their union:
a relationship of mutual fidelity and steadfast love,
forsaking all others,
holding one another in tenderness and respect,
in strength and bravery,
as long as they live.
… I now pronounce that they are bound to one another
in a holy covenant,
as long as they both shall live
and united in marriage according to the laws of the state of North Carolina. Amen.
In a similar development, the Bishop of Wyoming offered brief direction in response to same-sex marriage becoming legal in that state:
With this change in the legal definition of marriage, the process I established for performing the blessing of a same gendered union is no longer necessary. In the interest of the unity of our churches, I ask that our clergy and lay leadership work together to determine how their congregation will respond to this law. Additionally, I will be issuing a pastoral letter to be read in place of the sermon at all of our congregations on Sunday, Nov. 9th.
