Blessings

The Metropolitan Community Church in Newcastle upon Tyne (MCC Newcastle) performs blessings of relationships.

What is the blessing of a relationship?

MCC Newcastle has a special ministry towards people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT). We can offer Christian services of blessing for same-sex relationships in which you make promises to each other before your friends and family, and before God. We ask God's blessing on the promises and on your relationship as you publicly commit yourselves to each other.

New laws introducing Civil Partnership contracts for same-sex couples came into force recently. They are not compulsory, but you might want to consider following this civil ceremony with an MCC blessing.

For more information about Civil Partnerships Click here

What does a blessing involve?

You can include other items in the service, such as songs (sung or played, contemporary or Christian), biblical or other readings (prose or poetry), the exchange of gifts or rings. Some couples include a candle-lighting ceremony to symbolise the joining of their two lives in partnership. At the end, we will invite you to sign the MCC Newcastle register.

Couples often choose the words of vows, promises and prayers from existing material written for the needs of same sex relationships. But we can help you to choose appropriate words and music for the whole service. If you wish, you can write your own vows and promises.

First Steps

When you have both decided you want a blessing, contact the Church's worship team (see contact details below). We will arrange to meet you as soon as possible to discuss your all-important day.

We usually arrange to meet couples informally at Church on a Sunday evening, so that you can meet our community and the Church.

Meeting the Service-Leader

The person who is to lead your blessing will ask you for a few basic details about yourselves, such as your full names, address(es), ages and how long you have been together. We will expect you to have been together as a couple for at least six months, (although this doesn't necessarily mean you've been living together). We will then decide if we can offer a blessing.

We will also ask you to talk a bit about your relationship together so far and why you want a blessing. We believe God's blessing is very important, so we seek reassurances from every couple that the commitment and love between you is strong and lasting. If either of you has previously been in a committed relationship (whether straight or gay), we'll want to know that this is formally over.

We'll want to discuss words and music for the blessing and will agree a provisional date for the service.

The Date and Venue

The date depends on when you want the blessing to happen, and whether the leader and the venue are available. St James URC is available to us for a fee (see below). If you want a smaller service, you may prefer to arrange a smaller venue yourselves, such as a hired room, or even use your own home.

The Cost

The fee for a blessing is reasonable. This money does not go to the service-leader, but to the work of MCC Newcastle. If you have difficulty finding this sum, we can negotiate the blessing fee with you, especially if you're unemployed or on a low joint income. There may also be some travel expenses, and we'll make this clear at the time of booking a blessing.

St James' United Reformed Church is usually available to us for a fee.

Finally...

Although this may all seem overpowering now, don't let this put you off. Services of blessing are one of the most special days in the life of a couple, and we hope you will remember the day for a lifetime. We will give you a certificate of the blessing that you can take away as a reminder.

Our Church and service-leaders are very friendly and approachable, and will always encourage couples to be truthful with each other, and with us.

God bless you.

Further information ring us on 07770 543407