Ascension Church is 'Ready and Excited' to Serve All those Seeking Marriage

The state’s oldest Episcopal congregation, Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Stillwater, is rejoicing following the signing of legislation that will make Minnesota the 12th state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage.

“From its very origins, the Episcopal Church in Minnesota has always stood with the marginalized,” Rev. Brian Prior, Ninth Bishop of the Church in Minnesota said. “Race, ethnicity, gender, gender orientation or immigrant; we have embraced both the Gospel mandate of love of neighbor and the Baptismal Covenant imperative to respect the dignity of every human being.”

For more than 30 years, the Episcopal Church nationally has discerned and discussed LGBT issues in the life of the church, Rev. Buff Grace of Ascension said. Consistently it has opened more and more to its own LBGT members in such actions as ordaining clergy and bishops in committed same-sex relationships and developing liturgies for blessing same sex couples.

Since the anti-marriage amendment, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension has been an active advocate for marriage equality, and has partnered with Minnesotans United.

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“We are so happy for all the same-sex couples who have been in committed relationships and now have the ability to celebrate those commitments as the marriages they are,” Grace said. “A lifelong commitment to another person is the most adventurous and loving action most of us ever take in our lives.  We all need the support of a faith and a caring community to live out our vows of marriage.”

Ascension Church is ready and excited to serve all those seeking marriage, Grace said.