Ceremonies and Liturgies
to celebrate Same-Sex Relationships
and / or Civil
Partnerships
On this page you will find three ceremonies or liturgies which you are free to use and to adapt.
The first, titled Celebrating a Relationship, was written for a same-sex couple a few years ago – before the legislation was introduced to create Civil Partnerships. The short service took place in the countryside – though not outdoors. It is not particularly original and phrases and paragraphs were culled from various resources. The couple were given a selection of vows, readings and prayers to read and make a selection from which they did. There was a small gathering of friends present to share in the service.
The second, Blessing of a Civil Partnership, was created with much input from the couple concerned: the theme of a covenant, the words of their vows and the movement of the congregation to form a circle and then to lay hands on them both. This last feature caused the celebrant some concern about how it would work but it was very powerful. This liturgy appears here with their permission and also with that of Jim Cotter, words-smith and Anglican Priest, whose words have been used. This ceremony took place in the premises of a very good restaurant immediately after the registrar had conducted the legal bit - and before a good meal.
The third ceremony is called Swedish Rite of Blessing and comes from the Swedish Lutheran Church. It is more formal and is shaped by a traditional marriage service. It does, however, have a simplicity and dignity which is appealing. It is significant that a Church has produced such a service for use by its clergy and members: in time many more churches will follow suit.