Anglican Church of Canada Launches Trial Liturgies for Gender Transitions
The last General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved a liturgy for any name transition that could be used by those making a gender transition, or any other change of name. The Canadian Church has now launched a more specific trial liturgy for those making a gender transition. Trial use will give the church time to make revisions in the liturgy that come from actual use. It is the first liturgy in the Anglican Communion to directly address the transgender community. More about the new liturgy and its use is found in the story in Canada's Anglican Journal.
Survey Reveals Change of Attitude in England on Same Sex Marriage.
The Ozanne Foundation has done a repeat survey among residents of England who identify as Anglicans. The survey was first given in 2013, repeated in 2016 and most recently administered in 2020. The results show swift change of attitudes among those polled. Only 38% of those surveyed in 2013 approved of same sex marriage. The latest poll puts the number at 55% overall, with 72% of those under 50 agreeing that it is "right." Disapproval of same sex marriage, needless to say, dropped from 47% to 29%. The official Church of England stance is now out of sync with its members. ThinkingAnglicans.org has links to the full survey and foundation press release.
Continuing Stories
Long Island Diocese Begins Reparation Scholarships
As part of the efforts of the Episcopal Church to heal the racial divide and address past direct participation in slavery and segregation several church institutions have begun reparations programs. Update has reported on these including that at Virginia Theological Seminary, and the Diocese of Maryland. The latest diocese to offer a form of reparations is the Diocese of Long Island. It has created a fund to provide grants to scholars pursuing further education. The Barbara C. Harris Scholarship Program is open to the descendants of enslaved people living in 4 counties: Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. The residency applies to the applicant, not to the place where the ancestor was enslaved. It is open to those who are high school senior or enrolled in an accredited institution for post secondary education (vocational or academic). The grants are for up to $5000 per semester.
New Caucus to Take Up LGBTQ Advocacy
Following General Convention 2018, the pioneer LGBTQ organization in the Episcopal Church fell apart in very public ways. Now a new group advocating for full inclusion and welcome with the Episcopal Church has formed as an interest group within General Convention. The LGBTQ Caucus of the House of Deputies has over 100 members already working in small groups on issues and legislation where they feel the perspective of LGBTQ people is needed. Members of the House of Deputies have formed a number of different caucus groups. Caucuses are not official parts of the House of Deputies, and those working at this convention are not at this time envisioning a permanent organization. The Episcopal News Service has more on the group.