Click here to see our response to the Living in Love and Faith course undertaken by the Bible Study Group, and members of the PCC.

February 2023 Update – before attending General Synod in February 2023 for the debate on the House of Bishop’s Report on Living in Love and Faith Canon Rachel shared this update with the church community.

Post Synod Update February 2023 At the February 2023 General Synod, following votes requiring a two thirds majorities in the House of Bishops, House of Clergy and House of Laity of the General Synod, it was agreed that the Church of England would move forward to introduce prayers of blessing for same gender relationships. This will require new prayers (a draft was published for this February Synod – Prayers of Love and Faith), pastoral guidance about how it will work when church communities want to use these prayers, or if they do not wish to use them.

Post Synod Update July 2023 At the July 2023 there was an update from the working groups who are working on the prayers themselves, on the technicalities required to introduce such a change in a Church which is embedded in the legal frameworks of the nation, and on the pastoral guidance for clergy, church communities and all God’s people on how, when and where the prayers will be used. The summary of the report from the working groups, the livestream of the session and the summary can be found here.

October 2023 Update – the PCC are currently drafting a letter to our Diocesan Bishop, +Nick, affirming our support for equal marriage and our desire for the church to move forward with the prayers of blessing proposed.

December 2023 Update – “Prayers of Love and Faith” have now been commended by the House of Bishops. This is a selection of readings and prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples which can be used in Church of England services for the first time from Sunday 17th December 2023. These can be used in regular worship – which for us at HPC means as part of any of our regular Sunday morning services, at Evensong, Holy Ground, Wednesday Eucharist or Rainbow Eucharist. The PCC made a resolution at their meeting in January 2024 to support the use of the prayers at HPC, at the discretion of the Vicar and in line with their commended use. It was noted at the meeting how disappointed the PCC were that greater progress had not been made towards equal marriage.

Spring 2024 Update – https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/living-love-and-faith-work-goes-bishop-martyn-tells-synod