Today our friends IT and her wife BP will celebrate their blessing ceremony in church. BP and IT were married in the window of opportunity when California law allowed for same-sex marriages. The law was later reversed in the infamous Proposition 8, but the marriages of the couples during the time when the law was in force are still valid.
I pray for IT and BP a lovely and joyous day.
Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life. By the power of the Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon IT and BP. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads.
Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast forever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
The prayer is taken from the blessing ceremony of Susan Russell and Louise Brooks on February 18, 2006. I hope Louise and Susan don't mind my borrowing.
The banner at the head of the post is the work of my good friend Paul the BB, who blogs at Byzigenous Buddhapalian.
Amen
ReplyDeleteAmen from me too, and I hope IT and BP have a wonderful and wonderfully happy day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for IT and BP forevermore.
ReplyDeleteWish I could have been there in person. Instead I am with them in prayer and spirit.
ReplyDeleteI thought seriously about attending, but tomorrow our new bishop will make his first official visit to St John's, and our rector wanted as many of us present as possible to welcome him. Since we are a small congregation, I thought my incarnational presence was important. As you say, Elizabeth, I'm with IT and BP in prayer and spirit.
ReplyDeletePrayers and Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh Thank you MImi and everyone!
ReplyDeleteIT! How lovely to hear from you. Much love and many good wishes to you and BP.
ReplyDeleteHow very, very wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. All blessings to our IT and BP. Long life and great happiness to you both.
Mazel Tov! :-D
ReplyDeleteHappiness, health, and joy to IT and BP. Thanks, Mimi, for inviting us to celebrate with thenm.
ReplyDeletePaul, your banner is splendid. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI thought you were praying for BP (as in oil) but perhaps they need it!!
ReplyDeleteHi Georgianne. BP is Beloved Partner amongst friends, but the other BP surely need prayers as the powers there seem to be reneging on their promises. Surprise!
ReplyDelete