Inclusive Church

“We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.”

Inclusive Church Newsletter June 25

There is a huge variety of worship expressions, resources and contexts amongst these churches, demonstrating that diversity really is at the core of who we are, and a shared commitment to being inclusive. We’ve Baptist, Methodists, LEPs and CofE churches in this set…

All Saints Tooting – Racially diverse, lots of mid-week activity
All Saints Kesgrave – Silver strand of activities for ‘seniors’
Chester Road Baptist Church, Have an under 5s worker
Christ Church Lewes
Emmanuel Church, Walton-on-the-Naze
Holy Trinity Hotwells, Bristol – evangelical, incorporate Makaton in worship, excellent page on their website about what a PCC is and info on roles.
Holy Trinity, Bracknell
Holy Trinity, Cuckfield – Lots of stuff for families, proactively welcome baptism families, varied worship styles and music.
Immanuel Church Highters Heath, Birmingham Under 5s need to be accompanied by an adult.
Magdalene Community Church. An outdoor church, with 50:50 adults to under 18s, very neurodivergent friendly. Beautiful quote on website: “God is not disappointed in who you are”.
Parish of Pangbourne: St James the Less Pangbourne, St Laurence Tidmarsh, St Nicholas Sulham – details on their website about how they discussed joining Inclusive Church and embracing an inclusive theology and outlook. Good public transport links.
St Alban’s Church, Offerton – Racially diverse, breastfeeding friendly, gardening club.
St Benet’s Cambridge – Excellent at considering how to include and welcome single people.
St German’s Church, Cardiff – anglo-catholic, high church. Website a work in progress!
St Giles, Marfleet – low church, main service is on a Tuesday morning. Gentle and interactive, opportunity to discuss.
St Helen’s Witton, Northwich, good public transport links. Offering Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples. AKA Northwich Parish Church
St Hilda’s Greatfield, Marfleet, small congregation, but space for creative response. Accessible building.
St Hilda’s Jesmond, Newcastle. Possibly the funniest email address I’ve seen for Hall bookings… Very good for public transport.
St James Alderholt – have a prayer labyrinth, alcohol free
St John Baptist Church, Claines, Worcester – rural. Varied music, lots of community photos on website. Developing their provision for children and young people.
St John’s Church, Stansted Mountfitchet – really good explanation about baptism, offers dance and physical expressions/responses in worship.
St John’s the Apostle, Whetstone – racially diverse leadership, eucharistically centred but offer includes non-alcoholic wine, lots of children and young people attend
St Matthew’s Church, High Brooms
St Philip’s Bilton Grange, Marfleet – estates church, accessible building, diverse leadership.
St Stephen’s, Bristol – excellent ‘I am new’ page, worth emulating! Lunchtime eucharists available and a bike rack. Accessible building, variety of services offered.
Tewkesbury Abbey – stunning building, super grand but in a very urban context. High church, with smells and bells! Have a children’s choir and other provision CYP provision
Windsor Baptist Church – very thorough approach to joining IC. Lot of intergenerational interation and provision. Creative, evangelical and dynamic community. (When can I visit?!)

Paul Church becomes an Inclusive Church

Update 8th October 2023

Paul Church has just been accepted as an official INCLUSIVE church. We are pleased and proud to be the first Anglican Church in Cornwall to receive this accreditation. The only other church recognised by Inclusive Church across Cornwall is Truro Methodists.

The Inclusive Church statement of belief is below…. But this is far from being just getting the certificate and permission to use the Inclusive Church logo. We are very aware that we need to keep challenging ourselves to look for ways so that everyone really feels both welcomed and included in our worship AND in all our activities.

If you are a visitor or a regular PLEASE challenge us in areas we can be even better!

We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”