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Clare Herbert has just started as Coordinator. Here's a bird's eye view from her:

First impressions are rarely accurate in detail, but they may provide a helpful overview of an organisation from a newcomer who has fresh eyes and is not yet immersed in day to day work. So forgive me, or argue with me, if I get this wrong, but this is what Inclusive Church looks like from where I sit!

This will be a wonderful opportunity to rediscover our identity and aims as an organisation which exists to celebrate Anglican depth and diversity of faith and belonging. But we need more people to come! Have you booked yet? Advertising has been fabulous so that a healthy conference of 150 looks likely to gather at Swanwick 21st - 23rd November. But can you target one other person to bring with you so that we cover our costs and spread the word of an inclusive gospel as widely as we can?

See the flyer and sign up, or give it to a friend or member of your congregation.

www.inclusivechurch.net [See Conferences&Events]

Inclusive Church has done a great job of recruiting members, holding conferences, lobbying bishops and this year increasing global communication and co-operation around the issues which most concern us. But now we have to ask ourselves what we offer to individuals and parishes seeking not a single issue group but a network proclaiming that the Gospel of Christ is inclusive of them and their neighbour? And how do we celebrate the way Anglicanism is, of its essential nature, broad based in its approach to worship, belonging, prayer and social justice? It is part of my role to think of study resources, events and "happenings” which will support and resource you in being Inclusive Church. Ideas and suggestions are welcome - click on "contact us" at www.inclusivechurch.net.

It was great to start last week with a super office and a grand colleague. Brenda Harrison and I worked together on a conference last year and I am very pleased to have her experience and efficiency in the office as our administrator for a day a week. It has also been thrilling to hear the news that our Chair, Giles Goddard, is to be made an Honorary Canon of Southwark in recognition of his work both at St Peter's but also in the wider Church. Congratulations Giles!

It is another part of my role to look towards

THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE

So far 5 houses for 30 people to stay in Canterbury and an exhibition stall in the "Market Place have both been booked, and a parish hall identified for our use, over the period 12th July - 2nd August. But many questions remain!

- How we work best with our partner organisations to support their work?

- How we do the above while maintaining our own clear identity and aims?

- How do we work with individuals and parishes to help them bear witness to the aims of Inclusive Church exactly where they are during the year of the Lambeth Conference?

This leads me to .....

This could sound confusing for those of you who know that I used to work at St Anne's Soho before I became the IC Coordinator! But the St Anne's Network has been using a room at St Anne's once a month for 6 months to start to prepare for working together at Canterbury. Representatives from partner groups meet with representatives of Inclusive Church to work out our common witness at Lambeth 2008. Our work there is demonstrating that it is not possible, or even desirable, for Inclusive Church to represent all our partner organisations with one stall in the Market Place at Lambeth. Understandably different groups are working towards their own strong representation, as well as with us. But in this situation how may we ensure that the St Anne's Network

- Better represents the issues which concern women?

- Includes the leaders of partner organisations, at least from time to time, so that we each know what the other is doing and how we may work well together and apart?

- Stands beside other minority groups while accepting that LGBT issues are key elements in present discussions about the nature of Anglican unity?

- Clearly and unapologetically represents the distinctive identity of Inclusive Church?

The excellent addresses by Bishop Idris and Dr Joe Cassidy are now on the website. They both very much repay reading.

www.inclusivechurch.net [See News Room]

Don't forget our need for funds continues... if you haven't donated yet, simply follow the links under "Donate to IC".  Thank you for your support - we have raised around £30k but still need more so that we can fulfil your hopes and enable the Church of England and the Communion to move towards full inclusion.

For any comments or thoughts for me - Clare Herbert - click on Contact Us or try phoning 020 7740 6838

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