Dear all,

Twelfth Night has passed, and cheese supplies may be dwindling, but fear not, said (s)he, — Christmas isn't over yet! I'm one of those people who stretches festive attire, foil streamers, and fairy lights all the way to Candlemas on February 2nd*. Back in my previous parish, this habit made our house stand out as everyone else packed up by New Year — if not by Boxing Day! But it’s a tradition we hold dear, and it’s sparked some fascinating conversations over the years.

Another tradition I cherish is chalking the door at Epiphany. Marking a blessing for hope, strength, and protection for the year ahead is such a visible, meaningful act. Yet, I know both these practices can feel “too Catholic” for some. Personally, I think it’s up to each of us to make of them what we will.

And that, in essence, has been at the heart of my reflections these past weeks. So much of what we do—and who we are—gets defined by others and the boxes they think we should fit into. But God isn’t box-shaped. God meets us in our need, often in the most unexpected and surprising ways. I’ve heard so many encouraging, positive stories from folk where conversations that had been expected to be messy and difficult have instead been incredibly uplifting. Sometimes the cost we are prepared to pay, is not actually demanded.

God’s heart constantly shows us that there is always more: more grace, more possibility, more room at the inn. Yet, I also understand the weariness that comes with striving for inclusion, accessibility, and diversity—the knocking at the door, daring to hope, only to find we’re still not there, we’re still not valued or truly welcome. This is when and where we see the pricelessness of having allies.

The truth lies somewhere between these extremes. Our challenge is to hold both, the joy of progress and the pain of rejection. So, friends, take a moment to pause and look back at how far we’ve already come. In doing so, may we find reason to dance again, knowing we are never as alone as we might think.

My thanks, once again, to all those who have contributed to this edition of the newsletter in various ways. Hearing your stories is such a joy! And do watch this space for the opportunity to stock up on some reduced price Inclusive Church resources in time for Lent to further support you on your inclusive journeys…

With every blessing,

(*this is another great opportunity for me to remind you that our Make Room at the Inn resources are available and might be helpful in aiding conversations with your church leadership teams and community.)

We want members of IC to have the opportunity to share joyful stories and encouraging signs of progress with each other. There is always more to celebrate than we realise!

Here's a round-up of reflections on recent events and happenings.

We'd love to celebrate with you, so do send us your stories.

NatCo note: I requested this next piece to offer a perspective we often overlook, but is perhaps helpful and hopeful to consider. Note, a 'society parish' refers to a CofE church that has elected to be under alternative episcopal oversight and does not affirm the ordained ministry of women. 

How is it that I, the incumbent of a Society parish, come to be writing for the IC newsletter? A bigger question: how did I, who stood for General Synod to work towards greater inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people, who was chaplain to one of the first female diocesan bishops, who as DDO worked gladly with candidates from a range of church traditions and backgrounds, and with diverse sexualities, come to be incumbent of a Society parish?

The answer on one level is simple, God – a strong sense of calling to minister here in this place with these people. I felt very strongly at the altar here during the vacancy that God wanted me to be in this place. But as I have pondered that call more, I have come to see that part of my calling here might be to stand in an indeterminate place, to keep the conversation going, to open channels of communication when the temptation in the Church is so often to retreat into our respective groupings.

Yes, there’s a cost to this: potential mistrust (‘has he changed his views?’), suspicion (‘what are his motives?’), sadness (at not being able to ask some of the clergy in the Diocese to preside here). And - perhaps partly because of the wounds inflicted by others – some of us won’t be willing or able to inhabit this indeterminate space, holding the tensions, having the difficult conversations within and outside our congregations. But maybe some of us do have to do it.

These past years have taught me that underneath apparent uniformity is often diversity (a range of overlapping views here on the various categories of inclusion); that as well as challenge there is grace aplenty to be found in the indeterminate or marginal space; that, as the theologian Jonathan Cheng puts it, ‘Christian theology […] challenges and deconstructs […] all kinds of binary categories that on the surface seem fixed and unchangeable.’

And through and in all that, I have discovered a greater sense of the ties that bind us together in Christ. Indeterminate spaces and borderlands can be lonely places, but they can also be places
teeming with life and potential. That is part of the reason I am glad to be here, on the ground, loving God’s people in all their diversity.

Ian Flintoft is an incumbent in Newcastle Diocese and member of General Synod

I have watched Wicked in the cinema twice now. I have cried in the cinema twice now.

I have been so struck by the parallels between Elphaba (the ostracised green witch) being ‘othered’ at Shiz University (the magic school she attends) and my experience of coming out in the evangelical church. This film depicts ‘othering’ and allyship far beyond the queer experience but it has really connected with me and my experience.

During a dance scene in the ‘Oz Dust Ballroom’; Elphaba isn’t dressed like the others, doesn’t look like the others and doesn’t dance like the others.

Elphaba dances alone.

They stop playing music when she arrives. Mocking her and backing away in fear when she dances in silence near them.

It is hard not to feel the grief of that moment of silence as you dance alone; awaiting those you expected to join you on the dance floor.

It hurts when those you thought would meet you there, take a step back in fear.

It is all the more powerful when those you least expect, step forward to take their place.

The moment where Galinda (the popular ‘good witch’) comes forward, she learns Elphaba’s dance and eventually others join, the music starts again.

At first Galinda’s friends try to stop her. Insisting not to lower herself to dancing with Elphaba. It reminds me of the powerful allyship that I have been blessed to experience. Those who will join you on the dance floor when everyone else backs away and tells others to do the same.

Those that come into your life in a moment of divine solidarity despite the personal cost.

Thank you for your allyship.

Image below from Universal Pictures.

Features Elphaba, green-skinned and dressed all in black standing alone in the centre of a circle formed by her (more colourfully dressed) classmates staring at her.

The song For Good from Wicked says:

"whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend."

Never underestimate the importance of your allyship and willingness to hold space so someone else's story can be told and in time, shine. It matters so much. 

February 8th 2025, Church House, Westminster

A one-day conference that will see churches and civil society organisations explore solutions to challenge hate and violence.

For more info and to book please see:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/race-religion-rhetoric-and-far-right-extremism-a-response-tickets-1045401041657?aff=Networks

When: Saturday 22nd March, 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: St John’s Church, Waterloo, London, SE1 8TY

Cost: £33/£12 concessions. Includes refreshments and lunch.

For people travelling to London and wanting very local, budget accommodation, overnight camping in St John’s Crypt will be available - £10. Support towards travel costs is also available.

Generous Faith – Our Wound is our Word – will

Keynote speakers:

Rabbi Elisheva Salamo, York Liberal Jewish Synagogue. With a background in biology and experience within the Jewish community as a teacher, programme developer, and spiritual counsellor, Elisheva creates meaningful ritual, restorative prayer services, hands-on education opportunities, and far-reaching Tikkun Olam (repair of the world – social action).

Revd Azariah France-Williams, Rector of Ascension Church in Hulme Manchester. Azaraiah is a founder of the In-Solidarity Network, a fledgling alliance of local partners working for the common good based in Hulme, South Manchester. Azariah is a thinker and speaker on issues of peace and justice, race and reconciliation, and storytelling and play. Azariah is also known as a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought, and BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service. Azariah is author of Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England (2020).

Revd Chris Howson, Chaplain to the University of Sunderland. Chris grew up on a council estate near Staines. He became a social worker after serving as President of the Students Union in Bradford, where he had responsibility for founding fresh expressions of Church for young people in and around the centre of the city. He ran a hostel for those coming out of prison whilst setting up and living in a Radical Routes Housing Co-op in the riot-afflicted area of Manningham Lane. He was recently awarded the British Empire Medal for services to higher education.

There are a number of creative, practitioner-led workshops also planned where stories, tips and examples will be shared. Please see the Eventbrite page for more details. More info

The conference has been inspired by/coordinated by Rev Giles Goddard, whose book Generous Faith includes the story of St John's Waterloo where the conference is taking place. St John's offers a welcome to many people on the edge of society, whether LGBTQI+, people who have experience of racial or sexual discrimination, people from post-colonial nations, disabled people, homeless people and those who are prophetically active in campaigns for greater social justice.

To book or find out more visit: 

NatCo note: our recent IC survey suggested that many of you feel lacking in confidence or knowledge around issues of poverty, economic variance and class - this HeartEdge conference might therefore be of particular interest to you. 

Music has been an integral part of Christian faith and worship from the beginning, offering a unique way to express ourselves—individually and collectively. Our preferences around music often shape our identity in faith communities, sometimes enriching our shared experience and other times creating barriers.

Music, like faith, is a living, evolving tradition. Rewriting lyrics, borrowing tunes, updating metaphors, and translating language are all ways it continues to speak to each generation. This dynamic process mirrors how faith grows and adapts over time.

These changes aren’t about erasure; they’re about extending a broader, more compassionate welcome that is characterised by grace, love and mercy.

As churches we are called to meet others in their need and offer ways to articulate faith and theology that can increase the understanding and relationship we have with God.

Click through to the blog post on this with some examples of reimagined and reworked versions of familiar songs and texts that you might like to use, reflect on, or simply consider. May they help inspire an inclusive boldness as we continue singing new and old songs alike.

• New Magnificat - Rev Caroline Beckett, Vicar, Colchester known for Goth Eucharist, Greenbelt.
• Mary’s Lullaby (Away in a Manger) - Rock musician, Biker, Heavy Metal Lover and Vicar of Holy Trinity, Mixenden and Illingworth, Halifax, Robb Sutherland writes and performs music with Ruth Sutherland, for use in church, pubs, clubs and festivals. Regulars at Greenbelt and known for developing ‘Rock Mass’.
• See also the service sheet from Carols with Pride, Truro Cathedral, 18^th December 2024 https://www.trurocathedral.org.uk/whats-on/carols-with-pride-wed-18-dec-2024-07-30-pm  I was particularly taken by A million miles from Palestine (to the tune of O Little Town in Bethlehem) and God Rest You Merry Gentlethem.

From Stewart Rapley, Autism Lead at Church for Everyone, St James and St Emmanuel, Didsbury, Manchester.

October Webinar

We had nearly 200 registrations for the initial webinar held in October, which was really encouraging. The content and flow of speakers seemed to work well, and we have had really positive feedback – thank you. The recording of the webinar is available to watch if you want to revisit it or share it.

Related material: CAT podcast

Aberdeen University’s Centre for Autism and Theology (CAT), our partners in putting on the webinar, produce a regular podcast on faith and autism.

Some next steps

• For those of you who are, or feel you may be, on the autistic spectrum 
  We have a discussion group which typically meets once a month for an hour on a Saturday morning. We explore issues that link our faith and our autism, and you are welcome to join in. More details can be found on the Church for Everyone website, and if you think you might be interested, please email me.

• For those of you who are part of other churches  
  If you are working with your church to improve in the area of inclusion and belonging, I have set up a number of dates for feedback and discussion. We would look at how to provide some on-going engagement, support or educational input. You can register your interest for an appropriate date or email me if none of the dates offered works for you.

Details of the post are available here: https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/vacancies/lgbtq-chaplain-full-time

Deadline January 19th

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The content of the newsletter is drawn from a number of sources including individuals and partner organisations. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect a 'formal viewpoint' of the Inclusive Church trustees, individual members of Inclusive Church or registered inclusive churches.

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