Together for the Church of England is a new organisation formed in early 2024, bringing together members of General Synod, a wider network of Church of England members, and working with other partner organisations.
We encourage participation in the governance of the Church of England at all levels to promote positive change regarding inclusion and encourage democratic engagement in church life.
We are registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO – registered charity number 1209277) and our charitable objects are:
“The advancement of the Christian faith by promoting greater inclusion and equal opportunity to participate in the life of the Church of England for all, regardless of ethnicity, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexuality, mental health, neurodiversity, marital status, socio-economic background or economic power. This object may be supported by:
a) encouraging broad and diverse participation within the governance structures of the Church of England;
b) working for equity within the Church of England and counteracting discrimination;
and c) supporting and encouraging an inclusive, public facing and affirming expression of the Christian faith within the Church of England.”
Our Principles
As Christians we are united in Christ. All we do together is founded on his life, teaching, death and resurrection as set out in the Creeds. We are drawn together through the God we all worship; the richness of our different styles of worship together glorifies God.
Our response to the love of God is shaped through the five marks of mission. We are all called to different ministries. Together we fulfil God’s call to proclaim the good news in word and deed, by loving one another, growing together, and serving God’s broken world through healing and justice.
Through the Church of England we are committed to a Christian presence in every place, rooted in parish, deanery, diocese and nation. The Church’s ministry extends to all people in those places. We respect the diversity of human experience before God regardless of ethnicity, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexuality, mental health, neurodiversity, marital status, socio-economic background or economic power.
We believe that our diversity is part of God’s creative plan for humanity and a cause for affirmation and celebration. It leads to authentic diversity in the interpretation of Scripture and the development of church life. We repent of our intentions, actions and those times when we have sought to divide people according to who they are, and have favoured some above others. We affirm that all are made in the image of God and all are deeply, profoundly loved by God.
We commit to supporting one another and working with all who are called to serve God within the collective life and structures of the Church of England. We commit ourselves to working positively within the governance of the Church so that all can fully belong and grow in the love of God.
Work Programme
In pursuing our aim of a Church free from discrimination, we have defined a current work programme based on the work of the current General Synod. This programme will be kept under review and updated to be in line with the national agenda under debate at General Synod. At present this means there is a significant focus on work around Living in Love and Faith, working to ensure the greatest possible affirmation of LGBTQIA+ people within the life of the Church of England.
Within our broad objectives we have identified a set of Quinquennial Goals for the current General Synod (which runs until July 2026):
a) To ensure fulfilment of the decisions of the House of Bishops, endorsed by General Synod, to formally approve services of blessing for same-sex couples, and to replace Issues in Human Sexuality with guidance which allows ordinands and clergy to enter same-sex marriage without restriction.
b) To encourage widening support for legislation to allow same-sex marriage in the Church of England in those parishes which wish to celebrate it.
c) To support the work of the Racial Justice Unit within General Synod.
d) To keep a watching brief on all General Synod business to ensure that equality is considered at all points, including the effect of Synod decisions with regard to disability justice
e) Campaign on behalf of all affected by discrimination in the Church today in other areas, including gender and gender identity, in partnership with other groups.
We will also maintain a focus on governance within the Church, working with partner organisations and diocesan networks regarding synodical elections.
Who we are
Together has been formed by members of General Synod who are aware of the need to organise for greater equality and inclusion in the life of the Church. This has been in consultation with organisations such as MoSAIC (Movement of Supportive Anglicans for an Inclusive Church), Inclusive Church, WATCH (Women and the Church) and The Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England. We are drawn from different traditions within the Church, but all share a belief that God calls us as we are to sit at his table. MoSAIC have decided to become a part of the new Together structures, helping us with our setup and diocesan contacts.
“Together for the Church of England” acts as the umbrella body for the wider “Together” network, including “Together on General Synod (TOGS)”, and the “Together in” networks across the dioceses.
Trustees
Revd Canon Neil Patterson (Chair)
Revd Dr Charlie Bell
Dr Felicity Cooke
Kat D’Arcy-Cumber
The Very Revd Joe Hawes
Revd Steve Hollinghurst
Professor Helen King
Fiona MacMillan
Paul Ronson (Treasurer)
Revd Rachel Wakefield
Revd Trevor Wyatt
National Co-ordinator: Nic Tall
Partners
Together for the Church of England works closely with a range of partner organisations who share our aims of removing discrimination from the Church. All of our partner organisations have different roles, whether they are specifically focussed on the Church of England or have a wider ecumenical brief, whether they focus solely on campaigning or have a wider remit, and whether they focus on a particular area such as sexuality or work across a range of issues. We recognise that we are stronger when we work together and benefit from each others gifts.
Organisations working in partnership with Together include:
- Inclusive Church
- The Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England
- Open Table
- Student Christian Movement (SCM)
- Via Media Blog
- WATCH (Women and the Church)
We are steadily building our network of partner organisations. If you lead an organisation which shares our aims and would like to work with us please contact the National Co-ordinator.