2 Peter 2
2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

http://www.prnewswire.com:80/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-20-2007/0004686215&EDATE=
 
Same Gender Blessings Backed by Episcopal Diocese of California
 
 

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Elected
representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of California today approved use
of rites for the blessing of same gender couples by an overwhelming margin.
The action opens the way for Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus to allow these
services to be used on a trial basis by Episcopal churches across the Bay
Area.
    Clergy and lay delegates also approved by a broad majority a resolution
countering recent opinions voiced by the Episcopal House of Bishops in New
Orleans. Drafted by the Rev. John Kirkley, the resolution both affirmed
"the unanimous decision of the (Diocesan) Standing Committee to refuse to
discriminate against partnered gay and lesbian bishops-elect" and deplored
"the lack of access to adequate pastoral and ritual care for gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender people in large parts of the Episcopal Church and
the refusal of the majority of our bishops to make provision for it.
    "Today we took two important steps toward full inclusion of LGBT people
and their families into the Episcopal Church," Oasis California President
Thomas C. Jackson said. Oasis is the LGBT ministry of the Episcopal Diocese
of California. "With broad support from our straight allies, we placed LGBT
couples on an equal footing with heterosexual couples when they ask the
church to bless their relationship. Our elected representatives also made
clear our collective commitment to including LGBT people as full members of
the Episcopal Church."
    Approved by a lopsided voice vote in the Diocesans annual convention at
Grace Cathedral, the action asks Bishop Andrus to approve rites for
blessing same gender couples on a trial basis. "Trial use of a new liturgy
is a standard step in development of new liturgical rites by the Episcopal
Church," Jackson added. "This is another step toward LGBT equality on the
road to the church's national 2009 General Convention in Anaheim, CA."
    Developed by the Diocesan Commission on Marriage & Blessing, the
convention endorsed three alternative rites for blessing same gender
couples, along with Biblical texts for use with these rites. One rite is
based on the marriage liturgy from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and
another on one in the New Zealand Prayer Book while a third reflects "A
Rite for the Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Covenants" from the Diocese of
New Westminster. "We especially appreciate the work of this Commission and
its chair people, the Rev. Joseph Lane and the Rev. Lynette Morlan,"
Jackson added.
    The San Francisco vote marks the third time in recent weeks an Anglican
diocese has moved to establish rites for blessing same gender couples.
Earlier this fall, synods of the Anglican Church serving Ottawa and
Montreal in Canada also called on their bishops to approved rites for
blessing same gender couples.
    Links used in this release:

    -- Text of Response to the House of Bishops' Statement:
       http://revkirkley.blogspot.com/2007/10/158th.html

    -- Commission on Marriage & Blessings:
       http://marriageandblessing.org/

    -- Three rites for blessing same gender couples:
       http://marriageandblessing.org/endorsed_rites.htm

    -- Lectionary for use with these rites:
       http://marriageandblessing.org/PDFS/CMB%20Lectionary%207-23-07.pdf

    -- Oasis California: http://www.oasiscalifornia.org/