Prayers of Love and Faith/Living in Love and Faith
Since 2017, the Church of England has been journeying together exploring some of these questions by means of a suite of Living in Love and Faith resources that were published in November 2020. The bishops of the Church of England invited church communities from across the country to use the resources to learn together, to listen to one another and to God. Everyone who took part was encouraged to share their insights, stories and reflections in order to contribute to the bishops’ discernment about matters of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
Moving Forward captures the six-year Living in Love and Faith journey and the reflections of people who have been involved. The film was made during January 2023 and focuses on the work of LLF as well as the deliberations of the College of Bishops. It reflects the bishops’ discernment about the way forward which bishops brought to Synod for members to contribute to, reflect on and debate. Synod voted in favour of this way forward with an amended motion on 9 February 2023.
Find out more about LLF on the Church of England website, including accessing the Prayers of Love and Faith.
What this means in our Diocese
The House of Bishops commended the Prayers of Love and Faith for use in regular public worship from Sunday 17 December 2024. More information and pastoral guidance are available on the Church of England website. The prayers are offered as pastoral provision for those clergy and parishes who want to make use of them.
“In each Deanery, in each Episcopal Area, and in my own staff team we model unity in diversity – great diversity. That is a distinctive hallmark of Southwark which, as you know, I encourage us all to see as God’s gift and blessing. I anticipate that a good number of parishes, under the leadership of their incumbents, will use the Prayers of Love and Faith with joy. Others will take time to make a decision, and some will be clear in their convictions from the outset that they do not wish to use them.
“Be assured that, whatever your theological perspectives or personal concerns, I am committed to each one of you, to respecting your conscience and honouring your convictions. In addition, I ask that we continue to speak well of each other as befits our incorporation into the Body of Christ.”
The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun
Living in Love and Faith Pastoral Letter (October 2023)
Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod (November 2023)
