GINA RADFORD INSTITUTED AS TEAM RECTOR (Posted 5th November 2023)

Gina Radford was instituted as Team Rector in a warm and inspiring service at St Luke’s Church, Buckfastleigh, on 5th November. She is already of course well-known to us in her role as team vicar, and is thoroughly immersed in the work of all our churches. She has in effect been acting team rector for the last two years, but has now officially stepped into that role. She will continue living in South Brent, and will still serve on a half-time basis. There is a video of the service here and a photo here.

Meanwhile Laura McAdam will continue to live in Buckfastleigh and serve as our curate, and as curate for the whole mission community.

BISHOPS’ PROPOSALS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES (Posted 19th January 2023, latest update 18th November)

The Church of England bishops issued proposals for allowing prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and blessing for same-sex couples in partnerships and marriages, but not allowing churches to conduct same-sex marriages, and not making any changes in the Church’s doctrine of marriage. These proposals were put before the General Synod in early February, and were approved.

This is clearly a compromise position, and much further work is needed. In the meantime as churches we are committed to welcoming all.

Update 3rd August Work on pastoral guidelines, suggested prayers, etc., is continuing, and there was a further debate at the July General Synod.

Update 18th November There was further long debate at the November General Synod. This included proposals for blessing services for same-sex couples. A motion was passed saying “….encourage this House [of Bishops] to consider whether some standalone services for same-sex couples could be made available for use, possibly on a trial basis, on the timescale envisaged by the motion passed by the Synod in February 2023.”