The Granite State is the fifth state to allow same-sex couples to marry, joining Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Iowa.

Ms. ["Betsy"] Hess, who holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Montana at Missoula, maintains a private practice in Berlin, and the Rev. ["Ellie"] McLaughlin, who earned a Ph.D. in medieval history at Harvard University, is the retired rector of St. Barnabas and a parishioner at St. Paul's, Lancaster.

They described his role as an "unspeakable honor — a thrill."

Bishop Robinson welcomed a congregation of well over 100 people — parishioners, the couple's family members, Randolph neighbors, friends, and other clergy — to St. Barnabas and the City of Berlin. He recalled that when now-retired Bishop Douglas Theuner met with the parish in 2001 to tell them that he had found them a priest who was prepared to fill its vacant pulpit, he had alerted them to the fact that the Rev. McLaughlin had a life partner — another woman.

"You took a chance on her and loved both of them," Bishop Robinson marveled. "You learned that God believes in love.

"I'm so proud," the Bishop said, noting that the Berlin parish had blown away all preconceptions.

Read the whole article from the Winnisquam Echo.

I will take comments on this submitted by email only to at KSHarmon[at]mindspring[dot]com.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • TEC Conflicts • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * Culture-Watch • Law & Legal Issues • Marriage & Family • Sexuality • --Civil Unions & Partnerships

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