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The General Synod has recently backed a regional trial to offer Church of England weddings free of all statutory fees. The decision followed a debate brought by Blackburn Diocesan Synod. The Archbishops’ Council has been asked to report on the impact of the trial on the number of weddings conducted, the pastoral and missional contacts...

The General Synod has recently backed the parish as key to the spreading of the message of the Christian faith, in a debate where the local church was described as ‘at the very heart’ of God’s mission. Members were told that the parish system is central to the Church of England’s Vision for growth, in...

The Church of England’s General Synod has recently called for renewed action from the Church and Government to tackle the impact and causes of climate change. A motion brought by the Diocese of Oxford called on all parts of the Church to review policies and procedures in order to give due priority to creation care. ...

A new comprehensive policy on safeguarding practice reviews has been approved by General Synod. This was the first safeguarding code of practice to come to General Synod since the new Code of Practice Measure was approved in 2021. Introducing the new policy, Bishop Joanne Grenfell, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop, said: “The vital, underlying...

General Synod has recently approved the recommendations of the National Church Governance Project Board. The Governance Project Board’s recommendations include reducing the number of National Church Institutions (NCIs) from seven to four trustee bodies, and the creation of a new NCI, Church of England National Services (CENS). CENS would, through a transitional process, replace the...

Concentrated drafting work to prepare new pastoral guidance and other material needed for the Prayers of Love and Faith to come into use, is now underway. General Synod members recently spent time scrutinising the work which has taken place since the landmark debate in February that welcomed proposals to enable same-sex couples to come to...

The General Synod has backed a call for churches to join partnerships working to help resettle and rehabilitate people leaving prison. The Probation Service is already working with churches, bishops and Diocesan Safeguarding Panels to help support people leaving prison. Yet even so, many ex-prisoners are currently unable to find a welcoming faith community in which...

Church of England sets out hopes for Flourishing Schools System Lead bishop for housing backs Prince of Wales homelessness project Church Commissioners and C of E  Pensions Board announce fossil fuel disinvestment  Church Commissioners for England to exclude oil and gas companies< Church of England Pensions Board disinvests from Shell and remaining oil and gas...

The Church of England has launched a new publication outlining its hopes for students, teachers and educators to flourish across the schools system. Underpinned by the Church’s 2016 Vision for Education, the new document, entitled ‘Our Hope for a Flourishing Schools System’ makes recommendations including a once-in-a-generation re-imagination of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding, provision,...

The Church of England’s lead bishop for housing Dr Guli Francis-Deqhani, has welcomed the launch of the five-year Homewards project by the Prince of Wales to end long term homelessness. “The leadership of the Prince of Wales will undoubtedly have a tangible impact; his determination to address this crisis will be welcomed by churches up and down...

The Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board have announced that they will independently disinvest from fossil fuels. The Church Commissioners and Church of England Pensions Board have recently each announced they will independently disinvest from fossil fuels this year. The announcement came as the Church of England’s National Investing Bodies (NIBs) reported...

The Church Commissioners for England, which manages the Church of England’s £10.3bn endowment fund, has decided to exclude all remaining oil and gas majors from its portfolio, and will exclude all other companies primarily engaged in the exploration, production and refining of oil or gas, unless they are in genuine alignment with a 1.5°C pathway, by...