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Inclusive Church Group
A warm welcome to all
St Paul's Church is a member of Inclusive Church and has an active inclusive church group that meets to discuss theology, access, diversity, and more.
Following a consultation with the whole congregation and inline with our belief that God welcomes all, St Paul's has joined the Inclusive Church network. In doing so we stand with Inclusive Church in stating:
"We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.
We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.
We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”
St Paul's has set up an Inclusive Church Group within the church in order to engage actively with Inclusive Church and on issues of inclusivity. This group will:
- Facilitate discussions and activities with the congregation and the St Paul’s community about inclusivity, with a diverse and inclusive programme.
- Actively create space to listen to members of the congregation, St Paul’s community and others to help inform the activities of the Group. We will endeavour to pay particular attention to those groups that may have historically been marginalised by churches and communities.
- Respond to questions and issues raised by members of the congregation, the St Paul’s community and others about inclusivity.
At St Paul's we passionately believe that God welcomes all and we are eager to do the same. Everyone is welcome to join us at any of our services or activities, we look forward to meeting you there. New members of the Inclusive Church Group are also very welcome.
Please get in touch: icg-contact@stpaulscambridge.org.uk
Inclusive Theology...
looking at things a little bit differently.
We were very pleased to be able to host a variety of speakers over five Sunday evening talks from April to June 2024. Organised by our Inclusive Church Group, the series reflects our commitment to hearing a variety of voices on a range of theological issues. Not all views expressed are those of St Paul's Church or the Church of England but we have created a space where ideas can be explored.
All these talks are now available on our inclusive theology youtube playlist.
Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) for same-sex couples.
Same-sex couples who would like to discuss use of the prayers within an existing service are warmly encouraged to contact Rev'd Imogen Nay: vicar@stpaulscambridge.org.uk
St Paul’s Church and the ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’
Parochial Church Council Statement, May 2024
In November 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England approved the use of a new set of prayers – ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ – intended for those in committed same-sex relationships. Here is one example: Gracious God, who taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: give grace to your servants N and N, that they may be companions in joy and comfort in times of trouble; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
• These prayers are ‘commended by the House of Bishops as resources in praying with and for two people who love one another and who wish to give thanks for and mark that love in faith before God’. The prayers may be used within a normal service in a parish church upon request, at the discretion of the Vicar.
• Prayers of Love and Faith are the first decision emerging from a six-year consultation process, called Living in Love and Faith (LLF), intended to help the Church of England come to a better understanding of the very different views held by its members and leaders on the legitimacy of committed same-sex relationships.
• The LLF process also hoped to chart a way forward that would respect those different views while maintaining the unity of the Church. It has been and continues to be demanding, difficult and divisive, and it is unfinished.
• St Paul’s church has long been committed to an ‘inclusive’ stance towards LGBTQ+ people. This means it seeks greater inclusion for LGBTQ+ people in same-sex relationships within the life of the church generally, and in fulfilling all its various roles and offices. It does not imply that those opposing such moves seek to be ‘exclusive’ or hostile towards LGBTQ+ people.
• In 2021, the PCC decided to join a national group committed to many kinds of inclusion, called Inclusive Church. When Prayers of Love and Faith were issued, our own Inclusive Church Group supported them as an opportunity to ‘make more visible our welcome to the LGBTQ+ community, and to reach out further to them’.
• In January 2024, the St Paul’s PCC offered its support to the Vicar, the Rev’d Imogen Nay, in using Prayers of Love and Faith.
• The PCC also reaffirmed that St Paul’s should remain a place where those who cannot support Prayers of Love and Faith are equally welcomed members of the church. It respects that there are different legitimate views of what the Bible, the traditions of the church, and contemporary experience, can support. St Paul’s PCC (May 2024). A longer paper fully explaining the above is available here
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St Paul's,
Hills Road,
Cambridge, CB2 1JP
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We are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims/perpetrators of Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adults.
The PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found in our Safeguarding Policy and on the Church of England’s website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding. Our specific policy is here. If you have any non-urgent questions or concerns please contact our Safeguarding Officer on safeguarding@stpaulscambridge.org.uk
Safe Spaces
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service foranyone who has experienced abuse in relation to the Church of England, the Church in Wales, or the Catholic Church of England and Wales. This could be abuse by someone who holds any role in the church or is linked to participating in a church-led activity or group. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have need to have told the police or the church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent, unless you or someone else is in immediate danger. Safe Spaces can provide a range of help, including advocating with authorities and other agencies, giving emotional support, providing information (including information on church and police procedures), understanding your needs and working together on individual support plans. Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times) safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk. LiveChat - via the Safe Spaces website - https://www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/.
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