Following the decision at July General Synod to develop proposals to introduce standalone services including Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) alongside pastoral reassurance, there will be continued input from four working groups into this process. The group membership includes bishops and members of General Synod, drawn from a wide range of backgrounds. Some of the members were part of the working groups that began their work in March 2024, while others have joined since the July Synod.
Meanwhile, a new video on the process, together with a leaflet providing information and updates, have been published.
There are four working groups in total, each with a different remit, looking at specific questions connected to:
- Prayers of Love and Faith – Guidance for registration and use including arrangements for use of the PLF in Standalone Services.
- Pastoral Reassurance – Code of Practice for Delegated Episcopal Ministry.
- Bishops’ Statement – Drafting group for an overarching rationale for a settlement around current and future practice for implementing the objectives of LLF.
- Ministry and Vocations Guidance – Development of guidance as part of the work to replace Issues in Human Sexuality (in parallel with decisions on a timetable to address questions around clergy in same sex marriage).
Members of these working groups recently gathered in Leicester for a residential event to develop these parallel strands of work and explore their integration. Whilst differences remain in crucial areas these conversations were positive and constructive, with progress made on each strand.
The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, the Lead Bishop for the LLF process, said: “I am deeply thankful to all the members of the working groups, for their continued support in this process. This work is costly to many, both in terms of the time and energy it takes, but also because of the personal impact it can have. I hope and pray their work will continue to be fruitful, helping us build relationships, bringing a variety of perspectives, and further advance the work on PLF.”
The groups serve as advisory bodies feeding into the LLF Programme Board, helping to shape recommendations to be presented for consideration at the House and College of Bishops ahead of bringing outline proposals to the next meetings of General Synod.
The Terms of Reference for the working groups is now available.
The group membership, which includes bishops and members of the General Synod, is as follows:
PLF Registration and Guidance (inc. use of PLF in standalone services)
- +Ruth Worsley (Chair)
- Adam Gaunt
- David Hermitt
- Jonathan Macy
- Julie Withers
- Malcolm Chamberlain
- Mike Tufnell
- Neill Burgess
- Nick Land
- +Paul Davies
- Rachel Firth
- Sammi Tooze
Pastoral Reassurance
- +Martyn Snow (Chair)
- +Gavin Collins
- Joe Hawes
- John Dunnett
- Julie Dziegiel
- Martin Poole
- Tom Middleton
- Sally Gaze
- Sean Doherty
- Rosemary Wilson
- Felicity Cooke
Consultative Group for Bishops’ Statement
- +Martyn Snow (Chair)
- +Jonathan Frost
- +Jonathan Gibbs
- +Jill Duff
- +Pete Wilcox
- +Ruth Worsley
- +Sam Corley
- +Tricia Hillas
- +Will Hazlewood
Vocations and Ministry Guidance
- +Sam Corley (Chair)
- Jo Winn-Smith
- Rachel Mann
- Kenson Li
- Neil Patterson
- Mark Miller
- Kat Alldread
- Paul Benfield
- Lis Goddard
