Over the last few years, our church and, indeed, our nation, has been in a debate regarding the nature of marriage. To say the least, at times the conversation has been contentious if not shrill. What is behind all of the emotions regarding marriage is a question of what it means to give oneself to another for life, what it means to ask God's blessing on something -- particularly a union of two people, and how all of this relates across the boundaries of church and state. In a word, marriage is complicated.

The images of marriage are powerful and profound. A few months ago, I was in the Las Vegas airport and in the midst of slot machines and such, I spotted this ad:  "Shotgun Weddings by the Gun Store."  I found myself wondering, what message about marriage does this image send? Each image, and in reality, every marriage, bear witness to the presuppositions and values of the community gathered.

Our church now bears witness to marriage between two persons regardless of sexual orientation. Our witness is to living into agape love -- sacrificial love -- that is perfectly found between Christ and the church. Our witness is that love is the essential ingredient. And like human sexuality, love is a mystery that will never be fully understood.

Today, we live in a society in which lifelong commitments to love and fidelity through marriage are declining. I hear more frequently of individuals having children without the bonds of marriage. It is time for us to bear witness to the values of Christian marriage. This witness is all about faithfulness and love. It is all about fidelity. It is all about the way of Jesus. And it can never be reconciled with brides with shotguns and pistols. Let us bear witness to a love that bears all things, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Let us bear witness to union in Christ's eternal love.

Clergy Advent Quiet Day - Tomorrow

Elisabeth Koenig

All clergy are invited to attend a quiet day tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9 at St. John's, 434 N. Iowa St., Fallbrook. Dr. Elisabeth Koenig will lead us in Cultivating a Contemplative Ecology in Advent with three reflections interspersed with time for quiet contemplation. We will also share a Eucharist and lunch. Gathering begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9 a.m. with a 1 p.m. dismissal. Please RSVP to Keren Rodriguez today. $10 suggested donation. If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Joseph Dirbas.

The Office of the Bishop wishes you a happy Advent. Bishop Mathes will preach and preside at St. Paul's Cathedral on Christmas Eve at 10:30 p.m. and will preside on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. The office will be closed Dec. 24 - 26 for Christmas and will be open on Dec. 29 - 30. We will be closed Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 for New Year's and reopen on Jan. 2. Thank you and warm wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.  

Vestry Training

Bishop Mathes prioritizes training for your newly elected vestry and bishop's committee members. A half-day intensive workshop will take place on Saturday, January 31, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at St. Thomas of Canterbury, 44651 Avenida de Missiones, Temecula. The bishop, canon to the ordinary and the canon for finance and administration will present information on the proper care and management of an Episcopal church. All are welcome to attend. Stay tuned for registration information.

Come to Convention at St. John's, 760 First Ave., Chula Vista on Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14. All are welcome to attend the workshops, festive Eucharist and gala dinner. The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of Bethlehem and Northwestern Pennsylvania, and member of the task force for re-imagining the Episcopal Church, will be our keynote speaker. This will be our first convention at St. John's, Chula Vista; field trips are shaping up for Friday morning as we explore the churches in the South Bay. Three ordinations will take place on Saturday morning during the Eucharist. Stay up-to-date with the latest convention information and register online today: www.edsd.org/diocon2015.