We are deeply saddened that two ECUSA bishops have defied this primatial plea for restraint. Bishop Jon Bruno, Diocese of Los Angeles, recently presided over the same sex ceremony of the Rev. Canon Malcolm Boyd, poet laureate of LA, and his long-time “partner”. Bishop John Chane has announced plans to preside at the same sex blessing of former President of Integrity Michael Hopkins and his “partner” June 12, 2004.

They also resolved that in the light of such a blatant disregard for the pastoral concerns expressed in their Rector's letters to the bishop, the could not- in good conscience- receive communion from Bp. Bennison when he came. In that same letter to the congregation, the vestry offered the congregation the option of attending services other than the one at which the bishop was presiding.

Spencer said in a letter this week to church parishioners that the ritual did not include the use of the Book of Common Prayer, a formal liturgy or vestments.

She said Thursday that she wanted to explain the matter to parishioners before they read it in the newspaper.

"I did not intend to deceive or hurt anyone," Spencer wrote in the letter.

Compare this with A134’s companion, Resolution A135, prepared by the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee, which would authorize “resources for the church to use in addressing issues relating to human sexuality, including the blessing of same sex unions and the changing definition of marriage in society”. Resolution A135 states the matter with a greater candor: the discussion about blessing gay couples is related to a “changing definition of marriage in society”.