Church&Society

On the interface between the Church in Wales and the rest of the world. (Mostly) original Tweets Revd Canon Carol Wardman, Church & Society Adviser.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Know anyone who can volunteer to help with activities for Afghan youngsters being looked after by the Urdd in Cardiff? Welsh speakers especially welcome! Contact [email protected] #refugeeswelcome #Afghanistan

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

The motion to permit #SameSexBlessings @ChurchinWales passes at #Govbody with 2/3 majority in laity, 2/3 majority in clergy, 4 (all Bishops present) in favour. We progress to Cymun Bendigaid.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

+Andy thanks contributors for robust but unfailingly respectful and loving #govbody debate on #SameSexBlessings. +Gregory rises for "the most difficult thing I have ever done" in his whole Anglican career: summing up, after 8 attempts to draft his conclusions! @ChurchinWales

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Brave and moving speech from Canon Stephen Kirk, in #SameSexBlessings debate. Leaving #GovBody without a dry eye in the house, Canon Stephen requests we be allowed some "crying time" as he rings bells with us all on the blessings of lifelong partnerships. Diolch a fo i Dduw!

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Diolch yn fawr, #GovBody, for your blessings for the future and affirmation of my work, as I prepare to move into retirement. I can't mention in one Tweet all who have responded individually, but I am enormously moved by your love and support. Pob bendith i chi gyd - ac ymlaen!

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

The amendment is lost by a very substantial majority, and the major debate continues after lunch. #GovBody @ChurchinWales

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Revd Dr Matthew Hill raises seemingly heavy-(theological)-duty concept of epistemology. We may move gradually to recognising things: eg God was Trinity before it became doctrine; relations treated as #SameSexMarriage may be determined as such in time. (=simple version!) #GovBody

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

"It is always more expensive to pay later" Revd Mones Farah warns #GovBody over delay in @ChurchinWales acceptance of #SameSexBlessings and hesitancy on #SameSexMarriage.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Revd Phil Bettison points out with passion that @ChurchinWales has been debating #SameSexBlessings and #SameSexMarriage for at least 10yrs and there is plenty of theology out there. He has lost friends to suicide because of perceived rejection.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

After a couple of amendment supporters (from both sides of the #SameSexMarriage argument) Revd Naomi Starkey urges @ChurchinWales #GovBody to accept a step-by-step approach, as with previous major changes such as the ordination or consecration of women.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

@cherry_vann (+Cherry) opens the response by urging @ChurchinWales not to kick the question into the long grass again and lose (another?) generation. #GovBody accepted 3yrs ago that #SameSexBlessings are a pastoral necessity.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Revd Dr Jonathan Wright presents #GovBody with a respectful defence of his amendment, hinging on the idea that #SameSexBlessings effectively accept #Same-SexMarriage, which @ChurchinWales has not agreed on.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

HisHon Judge Keyser (#GovBody chair) explains why RevdDr J Wright's amendment (postpone #SameSexBlessings until theological justification of #SameSexMarriage is finalised) is borderline inadmissable. Cttee Stage should clarify text, not debate or undermine fundamental principle.

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

With both of us masked and whispering, in thanking my learned colleague from the Liturgical Advisory Cttee for emailing me the additional #GovBody papers on #SameSexBlessings, I must resist the temptation to raise my thumb too high, lest it be mistaken for voting! 👍

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Something many @ChurchinWales and #GovBody members will be holding on to, today!

[Canterbury Cathedral @CburyCathedral]

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13

#MondayMotivation

📸 canterburyconnoisseur

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Now embarking on today's big ticket item: @ChurchinWales blessing of same-sex partnerships. As a legal Bill, we start #GovBody Committee Stage by ironing out typos and agreeing textual clarifications drawn to drafters' attention by numerous amendments.

[Ruth Eleri Rowan @EleriRuth]

It was my honour to be invited to speak to @BBCRadioWales this morning about the @ChurchinWales Governing Body meeting today and the proposal to offer church blessings to couples in same sex partnerships, starting at around 36 minutes. #faithfullyLGBT
https://t.co/9IZGJMsNJF

[Church&Society @CinWSociety]

Once again, good to meet friends old and new at #GovBody. Strange and yet familiar to be back in person after 2 whole years! We open (after prayers and Presidential Address) with an upbeat presentation on Life Events by CofE's Sandra Miller.

[The Church in Wales | Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru @ChurchinWales]

The Electoral College meeting has come to an end with no result. The decision about the next Bishop of @Swanbrec will now be made by the Bench of Bishops in due course.