Church of England congregation numbers rise in Devon; David Cameron warns Church of ‘repeating Tory mistakes’ with LGBT community; Statement from Reform in response to Prime Minister’s statement on “gay” marriage; Scotland to bring in gay marriage; Scottish Episcopal Church response; Church concern over high street gambling; Church of England publishes discussion document on women bishops’ legislation
Church of England congregation numbers rise in Devon
BBC – The number of people regularly attending church in Devon has increased, according to the Church of England. Figures from the Diocese of Exeter showed a rise in numbers from an average weekly attendance of 26800 in 2009 to 27200 in 2010.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-18984687
David Cameron warns Church of ‘repeating Tory mistakes’ with LGBT community
Prime Minister David Cameron has “gently” warned the Church of England not to repeat mistakes he said his party had made by alienating gay people in its opposition to marriage equality for gay couples.
Speaking in Downing Street, he said,“I just wanted to say three things to you tonight. First of all, this party is really a celebration of the immense contribution that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people make in every part of our country, in the arts, in media, in sport, in business, in finance – that’s what tonight is about and I want to thank you for the immense contribution that you make to our country.
“The second thing I wanted to say – there are a number of anniversaries – it’s the 40th anniversary of the first Pride march in London, the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group… and I think it’s worth remembering the journey that politics has been on in terms of gay equality over the last forty years – the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the lowering of the age of consent to 18, the equalisation of the age of consent that the Blair government achieved, the introduction of civil partnerships – backed by my party and I just want to say I am absolutely determined that this Coalition government will follow in that tradition by legislating for gay marriage in this parliament.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/07/25/david-cameron-warns-church-of-repeating-tory-mistakes-with-lgbt-community/
Statement from Reform in response to Prime Minister’s statement on “gay” marriage
It is reported today that the Prime Minister David Cameron has compared the advance of the cause of gay marriage within the Conservative party to the same cause within the Church of England, saying that opponents of the redefinition of marriage within the church are “locking out people who are gay, or are bisexual or are transgender from being full members of that Church.”
In response, the Rev’d Rod Thomas, the Chairman of Reform, the conservative evangelical network within the Church of England, said: “it is very regrettable that the Prime Minister has spoken in such terms. To suggest that the church is ‘locking out’ any section in the community is a misinterpretation of the church’s position.
“As Christians we advocate and show pastoral care and love to all in the community, following Christ’s command to love our neighbour as ourselves. However the church’s mission is to bring God’s word to God’s world. God designed marriage to be the union of one man and one woman, reflecting the union of Christ as bridegroom and his church his bride. That purpose will never change.
“God is not a person with whom even UK prime ministers can negotiate a more congenial set of commands.
“We utterly deny that by supporting the Biblical definition of marriage anyone is being ‘locked out’ from meeting God through Jesus Christ and experiencing his transforming love.”
Scotland to bring in gay marriage
Scotland could become the first part of the UK to introduce gay marriage after the SNP government announces plans to make the change.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18981287
Response to Government announcement on same sex marriage
The Scottish Episcopal Church notes the Scottish Government’s announcement today of its intention to legislate for same sex marriage. We will engage with the Government’s consultation process on the draft Bill when it is published and expect to respond through the Faith and Order Board of our General Synod.
http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/response_to_government_announcement_on_same_sex_marriage/#When:15:10:07Z
Church concern over high street gambling
Churches are concerned that more gaming machines on the high street will lead to a surge in problem gambling
Church of England publishes discussion document on women bishops’ legislation
A discussion document (GS Misc 1033) has been issued to all members of the General Synod today. It explores possible ways of resolving the issue which led to the adjournment of the final approval debate of the women bishops’ legislation…
http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005615.html