Since I arrived in May, I have regularly shared my belief that the church is here for everyone. God granted us the church as a gift to steward and care for. This is a task that should recognise the diversity of humanity and the truth that we are all created in the image of God.
In January of 2023, the Church of England issued an apology for their treatment of LGBTQI+ people. It says: ‘We want to apologise for the ways in which the Church of England has treated LGBTQI+ people – both those who worship in our churches and those who do not. For the times we have rejected or excluded you, and those you love, we are deeply sorry. The occasions on which you have received a hostile and homophobic response in our churches are shameful and for this, we repent. As we have listened, we have been told time and time again how we have failed LGBTQI+ people. We have not loved you as God loves you, and that is profoundly wrong. We affirm, publicly and unequivocally, that LGBTQI+ people are welcome and valued: we are all children of God.’
Rich diversity of humanity
As a Headteacher for nearly 14 years, I tried my very best to give every child who came to the school a school place, no matter what their needs. My life and work in the Church of England echoes my time as a teacher and I am committed to creating an inclusive church, one in which we learn from difference and that through conversations we all grow in faith, love and hope. There is always work to be done in how we respond to the rich diversity of our humanity in a manner which is authentic and welcoming. This work is ongoing.
Increasingly, I see a world where diversity and difference are viewed as something to be suspicious of and something that is dangerous. My belief is that we are all created in the image of God, that we are called to be kind and generous and that diversity and difference is a gift.
Liverpool Pride
This coming weekend is Liverpool Pride which includes a service in Liverpool Cathedral. In a world where people are being pitched against people, celebrating the rich diversity of our God given humanity is, in my opinion, a very good thing. I therefore support Liverpool Pride fully as an expression of our God given humanity and in recognition that there is still much work to be done so that all feel welcomed, safe and loved. I will continue to play my part in this. My fervent prayer is that we can all commit to building cohesive communities of kindness and unrelenting generosity towards those who we naturally warm to and feel most comfortable with and towards those who we do not.
As Mother Theresa said: ‘We have not peace because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.’ I pray for a world where we truly and unequivocally know that we belong to each other, whoever we are, however we are and whatever is in our hearts.
Please join us in Liverpool cathedral on Sunday > https://liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/events/pride-service/
