Holy Trinity Church, Smethwick. Parish of the Resurrection

Medieval Torture or Jesus

A momentous General Synod of the Church of England approaches this weekend as legislation for women to be bishops is considered. The news is full of our Archbishop and his blocking of a man to the episcopate because he is gay. In Iran a women appears spared of a sentence of stoning for adultery, only possibly to be hung instead.

The opportunnity for The Church of England appears to be between saying an end to the medieval torture of women and gay people and with that saying good bye to those who in the name of bible texts would support that. We have the gospel opportunity then for the opening up of a new era for the church where all people are welcomed regardless of race, gender, culture, sexuality and any medieval distinction is ended.

Like Jesus when faced with a women about to be stoned, we could then stand together as evidence of God's amazing love and welcome to all who will welcome His love. Will General Synod have such courage? Will our Bishops and Archbishops dare to have such courage? Perhaps it is only when we follow the example of the courage of Jesus going to the cross for love of us all that we discover the courage to follow His example in this country at this time.

I vote for the Jesus way, for a welcome for all. An end to the torture and stoning of gay people and women in the church. As Vicar of Holy Trinity Smethwick that is where I stand, by the grace of God.

Mothering Sunday Service 14th March 2010 10am All Welcome

Each week in Lent 2010 we shall be considering our vision as a church, our aspirations for the future and where we are now! At the 10am service the subjects will be introduced each week by the team planning the services. In the evening at 6pm we will share drinks and cake, well it is Lent!, and then conclude our conversation on the subject for the day with Compline/Night Prayer.