Living in Love and Faith
Living in Love and Faith is the Church of England’s discernment process about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
At its February 2023 meeting, the Church of England’s General Synod, voted in favour of proposals from the bishops which would enable same-sex couples who have marked a significant stage of their relationship such as a civil marriage or civil partnership to come to church to give thanks, offer prayers of dedication to God and to receive God’s blessing.
The Prayers of Love and Faith have been commended to be used from Sunday 17 December 203. The final texts of Prayers of Love and Faith are commended for use in regular public worship or private prayer have been published, along with pastoral guidance which outlines how they could be used.
The Prayers can be used in regular scheduled services, such as a Sunday Eucharist or Evensong.
It is up to individual Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) to decide if they will offer the prayers or not.
Click here to read the Prayers of Love and Faith.
Click here to read the Living in Love and Faith Pastoral Guidance.
Click here to download our Q&A guide for clergy, LLMs and parishes
The House of Bishops will also be asking General Synod to authorise special standalone services from Prayers of Love and Faith, under Canon Law B2. That process is likely to take about two years, will involve consultation with diocese and would require two-thirds majorities in General Synod.
However, following an amendment brought by the Bishop of Oxford at the November meeting of General Synod, there is also the possibility that special standalone services could be available on a trial basis before that, using Canon B5A.
Click here to see the latest timeline
Living in Love and Faith Conversations
Living in Love and Faith Conversations is a new resource we have created to enable churches, mission communities and deaneries to have constructive conversations about the Prayers of Love and Faith. It has been designed as a 90-minute one-off facilitated group discussion. It has carefully been structured to enable people to share their reflections about the prayers in a safe and supportive way. You can run it independently or request a diocesan facilitator if you would like to. Download a copy of LLF Conversations here.
You can find the latest information about Living in Love and Faith here.
Even though the churchwide engagement phase has now ended, the LLF book, study guides, podcasts and real-life personal story films are still a very helpful resource for churches and individuals around the subjects of sexuality, gender, identity, relationships and marriage.
To access everything you need please visit the Living in Love and Faith website.
Here is a guide to some useful background reading.
Contact
If you would like a pastoral conversation in confidence about Living in Love and Faith and the Prayers of Love and Faith please email once of our volunteer LLF Chaplains.
Bishop Jackie has written this prayer for the LLF Process, which you are welcome to download and use.
