News, articles and events about the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith project, including the book, the video-based course, and other resources available online
LLF NEWSLLF ARTICLESLLF EVENTS
LLF-related news
November Synod – a welcome decision 18 November 2023 On Wednesday 15 November, General Synod voted to approve the Prayers of Love and Faith and a ‘standalone service of prayers for same-sex couples’. This is one small but welcome step towards what will always be our ultimate goal – equal marriage for everyone. As you may remember, the motion… ... Read more
Living in love, despite the Bishops’ arguments 30 October 2023 Last Friday's Church Times (27 October 2023) had an excellent leader comment, pointing out that "As the row intensifies over how the Church of England acknowledges such [same-sex] relationships, it is easy to overlook that it is about ordinary, unremarkable couples, living and ministering with the minimum of fuss." It is… ... Read more
A present with nothing in the box 27 October 2023 In February 2023 General Synod voted to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and for the odious Issues in Human Sexuality to be given the boot and replaced by new, more progressive, Pastoral Guidance – see https://cofe-equal-marriage.org.uk/b/1Ae for full details. Since then we have been waiting expectantly to hear news… ... Read more
Jayne Ozanne’s letter to the Bishop of London 22 March 2023 On 20 March Jayne Ozanne sent a letter to the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, who is Chair of the LLF Next Steps Group. The next day Jayne publicly tweeted a summary of the letter and a scanned image of it. The Equal… ... Read more
Evangelical opinion on the bishops’ LLF proposals 4 March 2023 The following letter from eighteen evangelicals was published in a recent issue of the Church Times (3 March 2023 – https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-march/comment/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor). The Equal Campaign approves. For far too long conservative evangelical organizations such as CEEC and the Church Society have claimed that only those who subscribe to their package of… ... Read more
General Synod – watch the best speeches 15 February 2023 Here are some of the best speeches at General Synod last week by progressive and inclusive speakers. They are all about 3 minutes long, as that was the limit throughout the debate. Enjoy! If you think we have missed out a good inclusive speech, which might well have happened inadvertently,… ... Read more
General Synod votes to allow the blessing of same-sex couples 9 February 2023 The General Synod of the Church of England has today voted, after a lengthy debate, to allow the blessing of same-sex couples in its churches, and has issued draft ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ to be used by willing clergy when the prayers have been finalized and commended. All three… ... Read more
An Online LLF Update with Helen King 26 January 2023 This event, on Thursday 26 January 2023 from 7.30 to 9.00 pm, was a free, conversational talk broadcast on YouTube, hosted by Modern Church. It is still available to view at https://youtu.be/I0SKFj1RCI4. ... Read more
House of Commons Urgent Question from Ben Bradshaw mp 24 January 2023 24 January 2023 “To ask the Second Church Estates Commissioner if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of Church of England bishops on equal marriage in the Church of England” The Commissioner, Andrew Selous mp, replied by summarizing the bishops’ statement as he understands it.… ... Read more
Equal and Inclusive Church issue joint statement 21 January 2023 On 20 January the Church of England published their proposals to allow the church blessing of same-sex couples, together with draft liturgies for such services. Alas, same-sex marriage is not included. These documents will be considered by General Synod in February. They can be downloaded by clicking the links below:… ... Read more
LLF-related articles
A present with nothing in the box 27 October 2023 In February 2023 General Synod voted to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and for the odious Issues in Human Sexuality to be given the boot and replaced by new, more progressive, Pastoral Guidance – see https://cofe-equal-marriage.org.uk/b/1Ae for full details. Since then we have been waiting expectantly to hear news… ... Read more
A Sum Total of Nothing 24 October 2023 by Charlie Bell The Revd Dr Charlie Bell is a Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge, assistant curate at St John the Divine, Kennington, and a consultant to the LLF Implementation Pastoral Guidance Working Group. In this article, first published in ViaMedia.news, he concludes: "We have had enough. We have been… ... Read more
Playing the Victim 15 June 2023 by Charlie Bell The Revd Dr Charlie Bell is a Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge, assistant curate at St John the Divine, Kennington, and a consultant to the LLF Implementation Pastoral Guidance Working Group. In this article, first published in ViaMedia.news, he concludes: "It’s time – in fact, it’s well… ... Read more
Evangelical opinion on the bishops’ LLF proposals 4 March 2023 The following letter from eighteen evangelicals was published in a recent issue of the Church Times (3 March 2023 – https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/3-march/comment/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor). The Equal Campaign approves. For far too long conservative evangelical organizations such as CEEC and the Church Society have claimed that only those who subscribe to their package of… ... Read more
General Synod – watch the best speeches 15 February 2023 Here are some of the best speeches at General Synod last week by progressive and inclusive speakers. They are all about 3 minutes long, as that was the limit throughout the debate. Enjoy! If you think we have missed out a good inclusive speech, which might well have happened inadvertently,… ... Read more
Some reflections on General Synod 12 February 2023 by Nic Tall Some reflections on General Synod, from someone who was there at the heart of the action: From outside the church this will look like a tiny step, a begrudging tokenistic shift which still falls far short of the rights enjoyed by LGBTQIA+ people in British society. But… ... Read more
The Church of England and the mists of time 12 February 2023 by Andrew Foreshew-Cain The Revd Andrew Foreshew-Cain married his partner of 14 years, Steve Foreshew, in 2014. One of the founders of the Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England, he is currently Chaplain at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. Back in 1993 John Major, sometime Conservative Prime Minister,… ... Read more
All About Power: General Synod and the LLF Debate 12 February 2023 by Charlie Bell The Revd Dr Charlie Bell is a Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge and curate at St John the Divine, Kennington. In this article, first published in ViaMedia.news, he concludes: "This Synod, as divisive and tiresome as some of the debate was, has done what no Synod previously… ... Read more
No More Delay: A Call to General Synod 4 February 2023 by Charlie Bell The Revd Dr Charlie Bell is a Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge and curate at St John the Divine, Kennington. In this article, first published in ViaMedia.news, he concludes: "Synod reps, I urge you to get this done. Say no to delay, and drag the Church of England… ... Read more
LLF: Praying for our bishops 7 September 2022 Earlier today the message below was sent to all our Campaign Supporters. But there is no reason why others shouldn't pray for the bishops as they gather, confer and pray about the future direction of the Church of England in the light of the results of the LLF consultation. In… ... Read more
LLF-related events
An Online LLF Update with Helen King 26 January 2023 This event, on Thursday 26 January 2023 from 7.30 to 9.00 pm, was a free, conversational talk broadcast on YouTube, hosted by Modern Church. It is still available to view at https://youtu.be/I0SKFj1RCI4. ... Read more
Modern Church Conference:
Living in Faith, Hope, and Love 6 March 2022 Modern Church has announced details of its 2022 Conference, which looks extremely worthwhile! The conference is open to all – not just Modern Church members. The theme, Living in Faith, Hope, and Love, partially mirrors the title of the 'Living in Love and Faith' (LLF) project of the Church of… ... Read more
Living in Faith, Hope, and Love 6 March 2022 Modern Church has announced details of its 2022 Conference, which looks extremely worthwhile! The conference is open to all – not just Modern Church members. The theme, Living in Faith, Hope, and Love, partially mirrors the title of the 'Living in Love and Faith' (LLF) project of the Church of… ... Read more
Repeating Workshop:
An Inclusive Introduction to Living in Love and Faith 5 April 2021 A workshop to explore the content of the LLF resources from an inclusive perspective NB As there is now less demand for the workshops we have decided not to offer any more for the time being. If you would like to come to a workshop if we decide to restart them,… ... Read more
An Inclusive Introduction to Living in Love and Faith 5 April 2021 A workshop to explore the content of the LLF resources from an inclusive perspective NB As there is now less demand for the workshops we have decided not to offer any more for the time being. If you would like to come to a workshop if we decide to restart them,… ... Read more