THE recent press and TV reporting of the debate by the General Synod of the Church of England on marriage and same sex relationships revealed to the public that the C of E seems to be a homophobic institution. 
Bishops confirmed this in a meaningless statement of repentance for the hurt the church has caused to those who are gay. While the bishops’ report to the Synod to perpetuate the denial of marriage to gay couples was defeated, the default situation remains, whereby the church will bless mice and hamsters at a pet service but not the committed loving relationship between two human beings of the same sex. If people of colour or race were treated in the same way there would be an outcry from the pews.
There has been a reluctance for clergy to preach and for congregations to openly talk about this issue. Bishops have now failed to offer any acceptable leadership. 
Is it possible that churches across North Wiltshire can begin to lead the way to try to resolve this shameful issue? To spend time in the coming months to openly talk about this matter so that every congregation knows where it stands and can convey their position upwards? In doing so each should realise we might have been born with a different sexuality than the one we possess. Also, that Christ never mentioned, let alone condemned, gay people, but did say we should love our neighbour in the same way we seek to be loved.
If your church does reject a homophobic stance and in unconditional love can fully and unreservedly welcome gay folk into your fellowship perhaps it might register as a “Visible Congregation” on the “OneBodyOneFaith” Gay Christian Movement website to indicate all are welcomed by you. Currently not one church in Wiltshire appears on that list.
ALAN SCOTFORD
Chippenham