Two autumnal maple leaves held together to recognise differences in the church that we hope and pray will look for unity rather than division through the shedding of Christ’s blood.

My focus as an ally of LGBTQ+ fellow Christians and those of other faiths and none, was honed by several woefully inadequate letters of apology by the bishops and leaders of the Church of England over the last few years. Through prayer, study and listening, I have concluded that there is no reason, apart from historical conservative dogma, that I cannot afford to offer the same love and blessings to all who seek to celebrate that love within the church. However, I am currently prevented from doing so.

Slow progress has been made, and the Living in Love & Faith (LLF) process has given hope that things would change and that, whilst a singular marriage service for all couples was not yet available, there was the opportunity to offer a service of blessing using the Prayers of Love and Faith resources. Despite this, the House of Bishops have recently announced that further developments would be ‘subject to further synodical processes’. Without wishing to question the wisdom and faith that brought about this decision, like others, I recognised that this was no pastoral letter, as it appears God and his people did not get a mention.

Some have indicated this sounds the death knell to any chance of same sex marriages within the Church of England, but I do believe that God moves in mysterious ways and that their is always hope that His love will overcome.

Holy Saviour,
Agape instigator,
Sentinel of justice
and of peace.
You offered a sacrifice
so costly, we cannot repay.

Whose unconditional love
is poured out
like a mighty flood;
saturating each and every soul,
to overflow to others
regardless of attitude.

Flowing to those who believe,
and those still blind.
Poured equally on those
whose prayer is grace and mercy,
and those whose words
become a shibboleth
of division and disunity.

Showered down alike
on those who live your Word
each and every day,
and those who seek to
misinterpret and subvert
with hidden agendas.

Still that love is offered,
justly on those who witness
to the ends of the earth.
and to those who speak
only of process not people,
in pharisaical fashion.

Encompassing all,
this love is offered.
To be shared not denied,
to be lived not theorised.
to be available not withheld.
Regardless of cost.

This is a boundless love,
yet some would tarnish its name,
and constrict its power,
masking it as truth,
constructed of meanness and hate,
of abuse and wounding.

Let it be not so,
for the rock on which
your church was built is firm,
this present stumbling block
will be removed,
and love will conquer in the end.

If you want to see and hear what affect these decision have on people then the Dean of Southwark Cathedral recently gave an incredibly moving sermon based on his experiences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLM_J8YH8Fk

The Inclusive Church network, of which my church is a member, is also asking Church of England members to sign an Open Letter to express our sadness and disappointment at the recent decisions taken by the House of Bishops. If you feel able, please do so here. No voice will go unheard https://www.inclusive-church.org/llf-open-letter/