Yes, this is a gentle nudge to review your giving! If you can set up a regular donation to Inclusive Church, we’d be so grateful. Every contribution, large or small, regular or occasional, genuinely makes a difference. But money isn’t the only thing we need. Your time, skills, creativity, and passion are invaluable too. We’re a small team with big dreams: to equip, connect and encourage churches across the country to become places of true inclusion. We can’t do it without you.

Gratitude, though, shouldn’t mean settling for less. We can give thanks for progress, for women’s ministry, for growing awareness of inclusion and diversity, while still recognising how far there is to go. We can celebrate, and still hunger for justice.

Again and again, I see those with the least give the most, in time, care, compassion and hospitality. Their generosity embodies the heart of the Gospel: abundance born of sharing.

To live thankfully isn’t to accept the status quo; it’s to believe that when we each offer what we can, something extraordinary grows. Together, we really can build a church, and a world, that looks more like God’s kingdom. We each have a role to play, each of us a valuable part of the whole, but it’s together that we make a difference. So let’s not try and struggle on alone, it isn’t required. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

We have a new Chair! We welcome Allie Kerr into this role, she's been an active member of the board over the last year and we're excited for the wisdom and experience she will be bringing to the role. Dan Barnes-Davies will serve as vice chair this year so we can download his IC information that is in his head before he steps back. 

Picture above is of Chantal (NatCo) Sarah Ball (IC comms lead and her very first Greenbelt) and Allie Kerr. Yes we are all wearing Butterfly antenna. Sarah and Allie are showcasing the IC T-shirts which will be available very soon...

There have been so many positive stories, gatherings, meetings and announcements recently and this newsletter is already a tad long... So here's a teeny snapshot of my personal top three:

Nomination of +Sarah Mullally to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury

Attending the consecration of +Leah Vasey-Saunders to be Bishop of Doncaster. Leah is the chair of On Fire Mission, who are a group that offer inclusive, charismatic, catholic worship and events.

Greenbelt festival - the whole thing, seeing so many members, hearing your powerful stories of how Inclusive Church(es) have changed your lives, sharing your excitement for the new logo, laughing, and singing, and daring to hope together. 

But it hasn't all been good and comfortable news:

I was also invited to take part in a Podcast on this topic with Alex Frost (God Cast), Luke Larner and Brenda Wallace. You can watch it here if you wish: GodCast Link

A few changes in our RA team, as we thank those stepping down for their contribution over the years, and welcome new folk. 

Heather Graber (County Durham) is stepping back to concentrate on more nature-based Spirituality, David Austin has retired and moved - though you might have still seen him at Greenbelt on the IC stall. 

Clive Watts is now available in and for Leicester and I have a number of people due to return paperwork to me soon. (HINT)

Over the last few months there's been a growth in church posts and appointments for work on Racial Justice and also LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Which is great to see. There is a growing interest and engagement across the denominations too on engaging and understanding the neurodiverse experience. The Methodist church have supported the funding and development of some work with Recovery Church, providing safe and brave spaces for those who struggle with a range of addictions. This is being pilotted in the North-East but they hope it will grow further - so watch this space.

Salisbury diocese (CofE) are wanting to explore how they can encourage and support their churches into being more inclusive and accessible at a wider level than purely individual churches.

Eastern Synod (URC) are meeting this month and will also be exploring with us how to embrace a broader praxis of inclusion and diversity.

I genuinely can't tell if there is more going on to be excited and encouraged by, or if I'm simply hearing more about stuff. What's your experience where you are?

Danny Brierley and Chester Road Baptist Church would love to hear from you!

They would like to appoint a new member of the team to focus on building up their engagement further with children and young people. The specifics of focus, hours, job title etc are all open for discussion as they are open to discerning the detail through conversation. But there is further info on their website. You'd be joining an active, lively and growing community, committed to being inclusive.

Please get in touch with them if this is the nudge you've been looking for!

Further details

Chine McDonald: 'When God looks like us: a Black History Month exploration of imagery, justice, and inclusion'

 As part of PCN Britain's 2025 series of talks about God, and Black History Month, Chine will reflect on the impact of reimagining God.

How we picture God shapes who feels welcome in faith spaces. For centuries, Western Christianity has centred images of a white, male God; reinforcing exclusion and marginalisation. Yet throughout history, other images have flourished and drawn people towards them. Like the Black Madonna, who embodies resilience, justice and belonging for those pushed to the edges.

Drawing on themes from her books God Is Not a White Man: And Other Revelations, and Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood, as well as her BBC World Service documentary Black Madonnas, this Black History Month event with Chine McDonald will explore how sacred imagery intersects with racial justice and inclusion. What happens when God looks like the people who have been told they don’t belong? And how might expanding our imagination of the divine transform our communities today?

There is no charge to attend the event but donations are invited. Places can be booked at the PCN Britain website https://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/events/detail/chine-mcdonald-is-god-a-white-man 

Queer & Christian is a compelling work offering interpretation of key biblical texts, as well as an inspiring testament to the resilience and faith of queer Christians.

The event will include:
- A talk on being LGBT+ and Christian
- Audience Q&A
- Book signing
- Music from Northern Proud Voices choir, North East’s largest and longest-running LGBTQIA + choir.

In partnership with Newcastle Cathedral.

About the author:

The Revd Brandan Robertson is a noted author, pastor and public theologian, working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social renewal. He is the author of ten books, including the best-seller True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace. Affectionately known as the ‘TikTok Pastor’, his inclusive theological content reaches over 300,000 followers online. Beyond the digital pulpit, he speaks across the country on spirituality, justice, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. He currently serves as Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is pursuing a Ph.D. in New Testament at Drew University.

Another bumper crop this time around, we're still ironing out some aspects of the new system and are very grateful for your continued patience with us! Very soon we will have a 'members' section added to the website where we'll be able to share specific resources for our member churches. In the meantime, let's welcome:

All Saints' Anglican Church              allsaintstenerife.org  

Very clear website, perhaps a field trip is in order?!

All Saints Church, Nether Silton https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19416/

Listed building. ACNY and Google can’t agree on Silton or Stilton…

All Saints' Parish Church, Windsor www.windsorchurches.org.uk

Multi-church parish, using an edited IC statement

All Saints', Goxhill https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/14892/              

Having their first pets service on October 12th - prayers welcome!

Altrincham Baptist Church              https://www.altrinchambaptist.org/

Their pastor has recently published book on their process to discuss LGBT+ inclusion

Claremount Methodist Church, Wallasey claremountmethodist.wordpress.com

Licensed for same-sex weddings

Holy Trinity, Barrow-upon-Humber https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/14879/

Linden Church           www.lindenchurch.com              

Northstowe Church Network              www.northstowe.church       Rated themselves with the SCM Honest Church toolkit as 4.5 for Women and 4 for LGBTQ+ inclusion (posted on web site)

Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Windsor          www.windsorchurches.org.uk

Multi-church parish using an edited IC statement

St Andrew's Kildwick            kcb.church

Part of multi-church parish with St John's Cononley

St James with Holy Trinity Scarborough https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/19237/

"St. James' is a friendly congregation of an open evangelical persuasion". Toilets are in the Church Hall next to the church but both have level entry to buildings. They have an Iona-inspired morning worship in the week.

St Lawrence's, Hilmarton              www.achurchnearyou.com

Already published in the directory and declare membership on their ACNY entry

St Mary the Virgin, Leake              https://leakechurch.org.uk 

Norman church but has an accessible toilet and a ramp listed on its profile.

St Matthews, Oxhey, Herts www.stmatthewsoxhey.org.uk         

Mentions inclusive table re: eucharist.

St Stephen & St Agnes, Windsor              www.windsorchurches.org.uk         

Multi-church parish seems inclusive but has edited IC statement

St. Mary Magdalene Church. Alsager              https://www.stmarysalsager.org     

Website is offline, but state inclusive on ACNY

Ware, St Mary the Virgin                  

On ACNY as St Mary's Ware but their logo says St Mary the Virgin, Ware. Confusing! So check the postcode on the IC directory before visiting as there are multiple St Mary’s in the area.

The Pilsdon Community https://www.pilsdon.org.uk/

They say “Since 1958, the Pilsdon Community has been offering a refuge to people in crisis, welcoming those from all backgrounds and from many different walks of life – whether young or old, rich or poor. Pilsdon is a community that shares a common life of prayer, hospitality and work, providing an environment of acceptance and friendship where people can begin to rebuild their lives. We are a radically inclusive community and hold our love of people, social justice, our care for the environment in a woven way that respects the need for a minimum of rules to support and protect us all.” Definitely worth a look!