Implementation of Delaware’s Civil Union Act
An Open Dialogue/Conversation Day on Delaware’s Civil Union Act will be held from 9:00am to 12 noon on Saturday, January, 28, 2012, at St. James Mill Creek, 2106 St. James Church Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. Clergy, vestries and members of any interested congregation are invited to hear the legal aspects of the Act as well as stories from some of the churches in Delaware that have chosen to become a “blessing parish” and what that has meant to the life and ministry of their congregations.
The day is being organized by the rectors of St. Thomas’ (Newark), Christ Church (Greenville), and St. James Mill Creek (Wilmington) as a follow-up to the June 2011 conversation offered by the Diocese at Trinity Church after the passage of the Civil Union Act by the Delaware Legislature.
While the final agenda is still being formulated, Lisa Goodman, attorney and president of the group Equality Delaware which drafted the civil-union bill, has graciously agreed to be a part of the program. Also to be covered are the new pastoral standards that became effective on January 1, 2012, for services to bless same gender unions. These standards were reviewed by the Standing Committee of the Diocese and issued by Bishop Wright for use by congregations that discern and voluntarily embrace the blessing of civil unions as a part of their congregational ministry.
There is no cost to attend the Dialogue/Conversation on January 28th, although RSVP’s are requested to help assure adequate arrangements and set-up. Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 25th, to (302) 994-1584, or send an email to office@stjamesmillcreek.comcastbiz.net.