Two of IC's Patrons - the Archbishop of Mexico and Bishop Idris Jones, former Primus of Scotland outside Manchester Cathedral in September 2007 |
About Inclusive Church
InclusiveChurch.net was born on 11th August 2003 at a Eucharist in Putney. following deep unease within the Church of England regarding the resignation of Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading. The initial Eucharist at Rev. Giles Fraser's church, St Mary's Putney was attended by over 400 people.
An on-line Petition was set up requesting assent to the following Declaration of Belief
We affirm that the Church's mission, in obedience to Holy Scripture, is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every generation.
We acknowledge that this is Good News for people regardless of their sex, race or sexual orientation.
We believe that, in order to strengthen the Gospel's proclamation of justice to the world, and for the greater glory of God, the Church's own common life must be justly ordered.
To that end, we call on our Church to live out the promise of the Gospel; to celebrate the diverse gifts of all members of the body of Christ; and in the ordering of our common life to open the ministries of deacon, priest and bishop to those so called to serve by God, regardless of their sex, race or sexual orientation
The response was immense and we soon reached nearly 10,000 signatories. On 15th September a small group of supporters met to consider this overwhelming response, and concluded that Inclusive Church was here to stay.
Over time this group has met and developed. We are now "...a network of individuals and organisations whose make-up reflects the breadth and scope of the Church of England and beyond. We come from differing traditions and differing locations but we are united in one aim: To celebrate and maintain the traditional inclusivity and diversity of the Anglican Communion" We work closely with a large number of organisations. The partnership work which has emerged over the past few years is very valuable - we work with, among others, the Association of Black Clergy, Women and the Church, the Group for the Rescinding of the Act of Synod, Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, Changing Attitude, Affirming Catholicism, the Society of Catholic Priests, Accepting Evangelicals, Courage, the Modern Churchpeople's Union, Progresssive Christianity Network and Integrity (US). We are also developing links with Greenbelt and welcome other partnerships. Here is more information about our partners. If you would like to work with Inclusive Church please contact us
This website is in development - please take time to look through the site - there are news items of interest, articles, sermons and resources. If you have any comments or suggestions then please contact us by clicking on the email button at the left of most pages.
Our President is the Revd. Dr. Giles Fraser, Vicar of St Mary's Putney
The Board of Trustees consists of:
Giles Goddard Chair, St John's Waterloo and Hon Canon of Southwark Cathedral
Erica Wooff Secretary, Curate, St Bartholemew's Sidenham
Gareth "Pog" Morgan Treasurer
Committee members representing other organisations:
David Page for Changing Attitude
John Plant for Modern Churchpersons' Union
Christina Rees for WATCH
Jenny Thomas for Association of Black Clergy
Savi Hensman for Anglican Matters (LGCM)
Jonathan Clark for Affirming Catholicism
Elected Committee members:
Philip Chester, Vicar, St Matthew's Westminster
April Alexander
Dianna Gwilliams, Vicar, St Barnabas Dulwich
Sally Barnes
Rogers Govender, Dean, Manchester Cathedral
Clive Larsen, All Saints, Stockport, Manchester
Brian Lewis
Charles Walmsley
We are a Registered Charity no 1102676
Clare Herbert is our Programme Director. As well as working with and supporting the Board of Trustees, she is responsible for our programme of events, Living Christianity courses and much, much more...
![]() Nomfundo Walaza |
We have four Patrons - the Most Revd Carlos Touche-Porter, Archbishop of Mexico; The Most Revd. Dr Idris Jones, formerly Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway and Primus of Scotland; Dr Jenny Te Paa, Principal of St John's Seminary, New Zealand and Dr Nomfundo Walaza, Chief Executive of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation
![]() Clare Herbert, our Programme Director, celebrating the Eucharist at our first residential conference, Drenched in Grace |
Dr Jenny Te Paa addressing Drenched in Grace
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