Send a card to your bishop(s)
Equal is asking our Supporters, and all who want the Church to treat LGBTQIA+ people fairly and equally, to take part now in this simple Campaign Action.
Why now?
Very soon now, from 18 September, all the bishops serving in the Church of England are meeting to discuss how to progress the decisions of the February General Synod – the prayers of blessing and new pastoral guidance. We want to encourage the bishops to press on despite all the long letters they’ve had from conservatives demanding they turn back on what Synod has agreed.
What we want you to do
So we want people, lots of people, to send the bishops a greetings card encouraging them to keep going for positive, inclusive change. We don’t need more long letters, a simple card with an encouraging handwritten message is all that’s needed.
Here’s what we’re asking you to do:
- Buy or make an appropriate card (rainbows optional)
- Write a short encouraging message, for example something like:
— “We’re looking forward to using the Prayers of Love and Faith in our church, we hope that our bishops will commend them soon.”
— “We will be praying for you and the College of Bishops as you meet, we want to encourage you to keep going with positive change for LGBTQIA+ people through Living in Love and Faith.”
— “Looking forward to celebrating our marriage in church soon, we will be praying for the College of Bishops and General Synod to help the church be more inclusive.”
— “We know that Living in Love and Faith has been difficult for many, but we want to assure you that we are fully supportive of the positive changes welcomed by General Synod in February. Keep going!”
- Sign the card, and encourage others to sign it as well.
- Post it to your bishop(s) to reach them before Friday 15 September. You should be able to find their postal addresses on the diocesan website.
Thank you! Please encourage others (clergy and laity, churches and individuals) to do the same – share this document with them to explain what needs doing.
Finally, do pray for our bishops and the General Synod. They will have some big decisions to make in the next few months and it’s important to hold them all in prayer so that they can discern the most loving and faithful path.