Sacramento Community Theater 1:00 PM, January 16, 1999
'HOLY UNION' -- Jeanne Barnett (left) and Ellie Charlton are blessed by a laying on of hands during a ceremony of 'holy union' at the Sacramento (California) Convention Center. The service, lead by the Rev. Don Fado of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Sacramento, challenged the denomination's policy against its clergy performing same-sex union ceremonies. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
PRELUDE
Duets: Jane Howard and Jim Parr
"Now Sing We Joyfully" G. Young, arr. O. Young
"Close to Thee" S. J. Vail, arr. O Young
"Nearer Still Nearer" C. H. Morris, arr. O. Young
"Rise Up Ye Saints of God" W. Walter, arr. O. Young
DIVA (Diverse Individuals Vocalizing Affirmatively) Mixed Chorus of
Yolo and Sacramento Counties, directed by Jim Parr, Jr. and Jane Howard, accompanied by Dan Stern, and joined by members of local United Methodist Church choirs
"Siyahamba" South African, arr. Nyberg
"This Is the Day of New Beginning" Brian Wren, Carlton Young
"In This Very Room" Ron & Carol Harris
SOLO: Jane Howard "The Lord's Prayer" Malotte
DIVA Chorus: "Within Christ's Light" Jim Parr, Jr., arr. Dan Stern
SONG: "Part of the Family" Jim Manley
Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the fam'ly.
We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the fam'ly....
[remainder of song omitted, due to copyright concerns]
GREETING ONE ANOTHER:
Song: "The Spirit in Me" Strathdee
The spirit in me greets the spirit in you, Alleluia
God's in us and we're in God, Alleluia.
INVOCATION: Don Fado, Host Pastor
Recognition of gay and lesbian partnerships
THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES: Sacred Dancers, St. Mark's UMC, Sacramento
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
THE PROCESSION OF THE CO-OFFICIANTS
Names co-officiants are listed here.
Right aisle:
FORMER CLERGY WHO HAVE SURRENDERED
THEIR ORDERS DUE TO THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION
CLERGY OF THE CALIFORNIA-NEVADA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Left aisle:
CLERGY FROM OTHER UNITED METHODIST
ANNUAL CONFERENCES
CLERGY FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS
LAY REPRESENTATIVES FROM RECONCILING CONGREGATIONS
IN THE CALIFORNIA-NEVADA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
UNISON AFFIRMATION: Written by Barbara Troxell, led by Rev. Ronna Case, a special friend
We are unique human beings linked with all of creation and gathered from diverse places
to share a ministry faithfully,
to raise questions hopefully,
to work for justice lovingly . . .
We believe in the church, community of faith and caring, covenant and promise,
which nurtures our pilgrimage and
through which we are called to be witness to
God's truth, love and justice
We believe our believing affects
our daily walking and talking,
our doubting and struggling,
our decisions and choice-making,
our responses to persons and systems.
We intend in this community in these days
to raise questions hopefully,
to work for justice lovingly,
to share a ministry faithfully,
and, by God's grace, passionately!
POEM: "A New Covenant"
written and read by Rev. Dr. Jeanne Knepper
Director of Shalom Ministries, Portland, Oregon
DUET: "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera
Jeanne Ann Howard (Jeanne's niece) and Michael Dearth (Jeanne's cousin)
PRESENTATION: Wanda Charlton (Ellie's daughter-in-law) and Bobbie Charlton (granddaughter)
DUET: "The Ballad of Ellie and Jeanne"
written and sung by Jean and Jim Strathdee
SCRIPTURE AND WITNESS TO THE WORD: 1 John 4:13-5:4 Randy Miller
Randy felt called by God to ministry in the church, felt discouraged in ministry by the church
SONG: "People Like You" Si Kahn
THE WORDS OF LOVE AND COMMITMENT: Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton
THE BLESSINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENT: All co-officiants
O God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, we bow before you to ask
your blessing upon Ellie and Jeanne, whom we now bless in your name.
Their commitment to one another grows out of their commitment to you,
whose love is revealed through Jesus Christ. We pray for you to guide
and strengthen them, that they remain open to your spirit and continue
to grow in love. We thank you for Jeanne and Ellie's love and faith
which they so readily share with us. We recognize in this service the
place of family, friends, church and the entire human family; we are
able to love because you first loved us. O God, our maker, we gladly
proclaim to the world that Jeanne and Ellie are loving partners together for life. Amen.
HYMN: "Walls Mark Our Boundaries" Duck/Strathdee
So build us a table and tear down the wall!
Christ is our host. There is room for us all!
[chorus only printed on web, due to copyright concerns]
A RAINBOW CONNECTION
BENEDICTION Don Fado
Thanks to:
Songleaders: Jean, Jim and Michael Strathdee
Piano: Dorothy McKibben ASL Interpreter: Polly Wagner
St. Mark's Brass Group: Steven David, Rick Eaton, Tom Roehr, Erik
Schmucker, Darrel Schmucker
St. Mark's Sacred Dancers: Andrea Bunch, Samantha DeVol, Jennifer
Frazier, Ashley Hart, Emily Jaske, Emilie Nichols, Deanna Reese, Jenna
Ricks, Kelly Stockton, Christy Stoughton, Rachel Strathdee
DIVA: For information about joining our chorus or having our group sing for your event, call DIVA (Diverse Individuals Vocalizing Affirmatively), LGBT and Friends Mixed Chorus
Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who made this event possible, including
Special thanks to Barb Chandler and members of Episcopal Integrity of Northern California for preparing and providing lunch for the clergy co-officiants who have been here since early this morning.
And to The Reverend Elisabeth Seeger and St. Paul's Episcopal Church for providing an oasis the entire day for participants in the service and the circle of love.
CORNET, a program of Affirmation, is a grassroots network that seeks to continue the tradition of hosting worship services that celebrate and witness to same-gender covenant relationships in United Methodist churches and resists actions that try to withdraw this means of grace from same-gender persons. Sermons, poetry, news releases from other sources, personal statements, and other resources represent the individual's or group's view point and do not necessarily represent official postiion Affirmation or CORNET.