SCM is joining with The Campaign for Equal Marriage in asking our members, and all who want the Church to treat LGBTQIA+ people fairly and equally, to write to your bishop ASAP!
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 are aware that the bishops are receiving a lot of letters from our conversative siblings who are demanding they turn back on what Synod has already agreed. We want to counter this by encouraging the bishops 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.
- Grab or make a card (rainbow themes encouraged!)
- Write a simple message of encouragement.
- Find your bishop's address on your diocesan website (and find your diocese on A Church Near You)
- Post the card ASAP before 18th September!
Here's a suggested message. You can find more on the Campaign for Equal Marriage's website.
Dear bishop [name]I’m desperately hoping and praying the prayers of blessing are approved, and the guidance that synod is considering is as generous to LGBTQ+ people as it can be.
I’m a progressive Christian, and I believe that God’s covenant encompasses LGBTQ+ people in unconditional love. I ultimately want to see more inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ+ people in the Church of England, but I know how hard won this progress is. I want to thank you for your part in it and to encourage you that people like me are out here, hoping and praying for a more loving church.
- Share our More Beautiful Stories videos to show the beauty of God's covenant with LGBTQ+ people.
- Pray for the bishops as they meet next week, and for General Synod this November.
- If you attend a CofE church, encourage your clergy that you want to see the prayers of blessing for same sex marriage used in your church.
- Sign up to the Campaign for Equal Marriage.
Thank you!