Church of England to Start a New Congregation for LGBT Christians

Church of England
[Photo: Sergio Calleja/Flickr/CC] Service at London Westminster Abbey, Church of England.

Church of England
[Photo: Sergio Calleja/Flickr/CC] Service at London Westminster Abbey, Church of England.
[Photo: Sergio Calleja/Flickr/CC] Service at London Westminster Abbey, Church of England.

The Church of England will be starting a new congregation for the LGBT community this summer, which is named as True North, according to Christian Today.

The first gathering will take place in August in St. Matthew's Walsall in the Diocese of Lichfield.

A majority of the leadership in the diocese oppose same-sex marriage, but they were willing to serve the gay members so that they could be brought into the community of Christ.

"While I and many of the leadership of St Matthews hold a traditional view on human sexuality, LGBT Christians are first and foremost children of God and made in his image," said Rev. Jim Trood, vicar of St. Matthew's Walsall.

"Our intention with True North is to supplement and support LGBTI Christians to go out and serve the Lord in their own parishes and communities, knowing they are loved by God. We do not see this as a stand-alone event but one that is truly part of the body of Christ within Lichfield Diocese," said Reverend Monica Arnold, associate minister at St Matthew's, who will lead the congregation.

Next month, the Church of England will meet in York for General Synod, where 550 representatives of CofE from different parts of the world will come together to discuss the issue of homosexuality. The members will split into small groups of 20 each and have discussions on the subject.

The bishops, and other clergy members will hold talks on the issue for three straight days, but the event will be barred from media and public. The meeting is expected to unify Anglicans despite their differing views on homosexuality, by achieving a dialog rather than an agreement on their disparate perspectives.

"The difference between our societies and cultures, as well as the speed of cultural change in much of the global north, tempts us to divide as Christians: when the command of Scripture, the prayer of Jesus, the tradition of the Church and our theological understanding urges unity," said Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury. "A 21st century Anglican family must have space for deep disagreement, and even mutual criticism, so long as we are faithful to the revelation of Jesus Christ, together."

A 14-page booklet "Grace and Dialogue" was released for the members ahead of the meeting to brief them up on how to talk about disagreements gracefully.

The booklet contains advise on attitudes and mannerisms, including body language and facial expressions, that participants have to watch out for to not offend the opposing party.

"Open conversations with a prayer for honesty, mutual respect and for listening with love. Finish conversations with thanks for people's participation, for new insights and for mutual care despite disagreement," the guide says.

"Allow people to express themselves badly. They may say things you find offensive, and you may say things they find offensive. When this happens, use neutral language to point out when something seems inappropriate, and ask the speaker to have another go. Refuse to give up on anyone, no matter how unpleasant, opinionated or difficult you find them," it said.