Representatives from the advocacy groups Integrity and Claiming the Blessing intend to make their presence known during the 75th General Convention. The steering committee for Claiming the Blessing announced March 25 a series of General Convention objectives at the conclusion of a joint meeting with the board of Integrity at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.

The 13-point platform includes calls for the Episcopal Church to:

• Clarify its theology of marriage, family and human sexuality, and study the role of clergy as civil magistrates in marriage;

• Reaffirm the sacredness of long-term, committed relationships as defined in Resolution D039 of the 73rd General Convention;

• Authorize the development of liturgical rites of blessings where civil marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships are a reality, and elsewhere;

• Engage the international community in a listening process which includes the active voices and full presence of lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual (LGBT) persons;

• Reaffirm that all orders of ministry are open to all the baptized who are otherwise qualified; and

• Establish as church policy the commitment not to meet in those places where justice and liberation for all God’s children, including LGBT people, are absent in state law or local ordinance.

For its part, Integrity stated it wants to “keep the momentum it has gained through 30 years of respected, successful advocacy and witness.” The organization said it will send more than 30 committed and well-trained volunteers to help “coordinate and prepare the testimony of witnesses at important public hearings, track legislation, monitor the work of committees, maintain a visible presence in the exhibit hall, and work cooperatively and strategically with others to advance a gospel agenda of justice and inclusion.”

To find more news, feature articles, and commentary not available online, we invite you to subscribe to The Living Church magazine. To learn more, click here.