InclusiveChurch.net was born on 11th August 2003 at a Eucharist in Putney following deep unease within the Church of England regarding the resignation of Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading. The initial Eucharist at Rev. Giles Fraser's church, St Mary's Putney was attended by over 400 people.
A petition (which the PCC of St Matthew's Westminster voted unanimously to sign) was set up requesting assent to the following Declaration of Belief
We affirm that the Church's mission, in obedience to Holy Scripture, is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every generation.
We acknowledge that this is Good News for people regardless of their sex, race or sexual orientation.
We believe that, in order to strengthen the Gospel's proclamation of justice to the world, and for the greater glory of God, the Church's own common life must be justly ordered.
To that end, we call on our Church to live out the promise of the Gospel; to celebrate the diverse gifts of all members of the body of Christ; and in the ordering of our common life to open the ministries of deacon, priest and bishop to those so called to serve by God, regardless of their sex, race or sexual orientation
The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey John Dean of St. Albans
Background
The circumstances surrounding the appointment and resignation of Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading can be read here.
