In November 2020 the Church of England published a landmark set of resources drawing together the Bible, theology, science and history with powerful real-life stories as it embarked on a new process of discernment and decision-making on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
Christians in Hereford Diocese can “listen and learn together” using the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith resources, which explore these big questions.
Andrew's Testimony Leominster
To access all the resources please visit the Living in Love and Faith website. There are some printed publications available to purchase via Church House Publishing
If you decide to run the course in your church or group. The resources remain available for people to use.
If you would like to get in touch with The Bishop of Hereford you can email or phone his office directly. However it should be noted that the official period of consultaiton for LLF has now ended.
The official period of consultation closed on 30 April 2022. Following this a period of discernment. it is hoped that a decision on implementation will be reached during the General Synod meeting in February 2026.
Despite big differences over the best approach to take, the Church agrees it needs to better include and support LGBTQI+ people.
In July 2024, General Synod asked the House of Bishops to undertake further work on two aspects of the LLF process:
- The Prayers of Love and Faith, specifically on how to use these in so-called ‘bespoke’ services and what pastoral reassurance might be needed for this.
- A timetable for consideration of the question on removing restrictions for clergy entering same-sex civil marriages.
The House of Bishops has asked the Faith and Order Commission (FAOC), and the Episcopal Reference Group (the episcopal members of FAOC), together with the LLF team and the LLF Working Groups for advice and to draft proposals. The draft proposals remain flexible, and both consultations and further theological advice will help the House of Bishops refine them, before deciding if and how to take them forward, including bringing them back General Synod to be discussed and voted on in February 2026.
The House of Bishops shared a letter to the wider church in January 2026 ahead of General Synod in February 2026.