Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…. until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.’ (Ephesians 4:3 & 13)

 

Dear sisters and brothers,

Thank you for your prayers and concern for us as the College of Bishops has continued our journey of discernment around the important issues dealt with in the work of ‘Living in Love and Faith’.

We have both just come back from the latest meeting of the College. It’s important to say that the work of the College goes on in between our physical meetings and we are committed to maintaining appropriate confidentiality between those meetings. But we can certainly say that the meeting was conducted in a very warm spirit (despite the cold!). In particular the two commitments we see in the words from Ephesians above – to remain united in the Spirit and in the faith – were very much at the heart of our considerations, and will remain so.

When we heard from members of the Reference Group (people from a wide range of perspectives who have been advising us) who addressed us at the College, we heard very clearly their call for us to be clear and honest in our decision making, and to be kind in the way those decisions are communicated, and we are both deeply committed to both those things. And we are deeply aware too of our responsibility to be pastors to the whole people of God, in all our wonderful diversity, both in Truro and the wider Church of England.

The College will meet again in January to finalise what will be offered to General Synod. Please continue to pray for us as this journey continues, that the outcome will be pleasing to God and serve the advancement of his Kingdom, for his glory.

+Philip & +Hugh