Two men smiling at the camera. The man on the left is shorter, with a bald head and a wide smile. He is in his sixties, from Malaysia. He wears a patterned blue button-down shirt with blue bracess that have the Union Jack printed on them, a rainbow lanyard, and a rainbow-patterned pin. He is giving a thumbs-up with one hand. The man on the right, the Bishop of Bradford, is taller, with short brown hair and glasses. He wears a black blazer over a red clerical shirt with a white clerical collar and a large ornate silver cross pendant. He has his arm around the other man's shoulder. In the background, there is a pink fabric draped across the ceiling, with colorful bunting and blue balloons hanging from it. People can be seen in the background on either side of the two men.

7 YEARS AGO we hosted Stories Around An Open Table on reconciling gender identity, sexuality & faith. Bishop of Bradford Toby Howarth, on the CofE's #LivingInLoveAndFaith team, gave a blessing barefoot, saying he was standing on holy ground: bit.ly/TellServeGive2019 #LLF

An abstract illustration of overlapping, brightly coloured envelopes scattered across the image. Each envelope is labelled 'newsletter' in handwritten-style text, suggesting email communications, updates, or mailing lists. The colours include green, purple, blue, orange, yellow and pink, creating a lively, layered design.

OUT NOW: Our February e-news with an #LGBThistorymonth story from the #MethodistChurch, responses to the end of the #CofE #LivingInLoveAndFaith process, a trans priest on tour, and news from our network including a relaunch, a birthday celebration & a consultation. READ MORE: bit.ly/OTNenews0226

'The #LivingInLoveAndFaith process has been "concluded" but the work for justice has not.'
Nic Tall, National Co-ordinator of Together for the Church of England, reflects on a bruising #GeneralSynod and moving from lament to action:
🔗 viamedia.news/2026/02/13/leaving-in-love-and-faith

Official logo for the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process. A modern, abstract logo consisting of four overlapping, transparent heart shapes in vibrant colors: teal, orange, magenta, and lime green. Where the hearts intersect, new colors are formed, symbolizing the "growing together" and "discernment" of the project. To the right of the icon, the words "Living in Love and Faith" are written in a clean, charcoal-colored serif font.

A headshot of Fr Robert Thompson wearing a black clerical shirt standing in front of a church garden and noticeboard.

'I CANNOT any longer... preach liberation on Sunday and accept spiritual diminishment on Monday.'
Fr Robert Thompson reflects on the conclusion of the #ChurchOfEngland's #LivingInLoveAndFaith process on #identity, #sexuality, #relationships & #marriage bit.ly/MoralClarityLLF
#GeneralSynod #CofE #LLF

Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Friday 13th February 2026. Text content: "God of refuge and compassion, stronghold in times of trouble and shelter in every storm: draw near to those who are weary and burdened, and to all who tirelessly seek belonging and sanctuary. Be shade in their heat, safety in their searching, and comfort for their hearts. Bind up the brokenhearted; comfort those who mourn, feel lost, or hopeless, and free them to grow in trust and hope; that in your welcoming embrace they may find restoration, confidence, and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The prayer text is centered on a light, clean background featuring abstract, soft pastel waves in shades of orange, yellow, and blue. In the bottom right corner, the Open Table Network logo depicts a circle of eight stylized, rainbow-colored figures holding hands, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple capitalized text below.

Day 5 of #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod. As many carry weary hearts at the end of the #LivingInLoveAndFaith process on #identity, #sexuality, #relationships & Marriage, we pray that God’s welcoming embrace brings restoration, confidence, and joy to all who seek belonging. 🌈
#CofE #LLF

Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Thursday 12th February 2026. Text content: "God our shepherd, who gathers what has been scattered and sends us into the world in love: guard your Church from the temptation to honour unity above justice or to trade faithfulness for a peace without righteousness. Turn us from every idol that denies your all-embracing love. Knit us into one body in Christ, tender in mercy and steadfast in truth, that loving one another as Christ has loved us we may be a faithful sign of your kingdom; and the world may believe in the One you have sent, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The prayer text is centered on a clean, light background decorated with soft, flowing abstract pastel waves in shades of orange, pink, and blue. In the bottom right corner, the Open Table Network logo depicts a circle of eight stylized, rainbow-colored figures holding hands, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple capitalized text below.

DAY 4 of #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod: From 3pm #Synod will debate and vote on the #HouseOfBishops' motion to bring the #LivingInLoveAndFaith process to a close.
We pray for those feeling 'scattered' and ask for the courage to turn from idols that deny God’s all-embracing love. 🕯️✨
#CofE #LLF

Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Wednesday 11th February 2026. Text content: "God of inclusion, who in Christ has broken down dividing walls and made us one body beyond all separation: grant your Church wisdom and boldness to discern your will of boundless love. Draw near those once held far off; gather strangers and the marginalised into your household; and build us together in your Spirit as a dwelling-place of your love and grace; that, being one in Christ Jesus, we may live as a people reconciled and made whole; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The prayer text is centered on a light, clean background featuring abstract, soft pastel waves in shades of blue, pink, and yellow. In the bottom right corner, the Open Table Network logo features a circle of eight stylized, rainbow-colored figures holding hands, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple capitalized text below the icon.

DAY 3 of #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod. After a heavy debate on #LivingInLoveAndFaith, today the focus is on the global #AnglicanCommunion & #Safeguarding.
We pray for the courage to break down dividing walls and gather those held 'far off' into a dwelling-place of love and grace.🕯️🌈 #CofE #LLF

Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Tuesday 10th February 2026. Text content: "God of justice and mercy, who calls us to speak for those denied a voice and to defend the poor and the needy: renew your Church in courage to act justly, in generosity to love mercy, and in humility to walk with you. Shape its transforming that all may find more than welcome - a home of safety and belonging - where the vulnerable are safeguarded, and the diversity of humanity is celebrated; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The prayer text is centered on a clean, light background featuring soft, abstract pastel swirls in shades of pink, yellow, and blue. In the bottom right corner is the Open Table Network logo, which depicts a circular group of eight stylized figures in rainbow colors, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple text underneath.

Day 2 of #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod with a critical 5-hour presentation & questions on the end of #LivingInLoveAndFaith (LLF) at 2pm.
We pray for a Church with the courage to act justly, where the diversity of humanity is celebrated & all find a true home of safety & belonging. 🕯️🌈
#LLF #CofE

Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Monday 9th February 2026. Text content: "Almighty and compassionate God, who heals the broken-hearted and is near to those crushed in spirit: draw close to them in their pain; restore what has been wounded, give courage where there is fear, and plant hope where trust has been shaken. Let your justice guide the reshaping of what has failed, that dignity may be honoured and mercy and peace may take root; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The text is set against a soft background of abstract, pastel-colored shapes. In the bottom right corner is the Open Table Network logo, which features a circle of diverse figures in rainbow colors, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' printed clearly below them.

TODAY the #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod begins, marking the end of the #LivingInLoveAndFaith process on #identity, #sexuality #relationships and #marriage. We know many #LGBTQIA+ Christians feel anxious and hurt.
We're sharing daily prayers this week for justice, hope, and healing. 🕯️🌈
#LLF #CofE

Event poster titled “Reaching for the Hem.” Logos for St Martin-in-the-Fields and Together for the Church of England. Central artwork shows a woman on the ground reaching toward the hem of Jesus’ robe in a crowd. Text gives date, time, location, and livestream details.

TONIGHT 7.30pm: A Eucharist as #GeneralSynod considers #LivingInLoveAndFaith - a space to bring prayer, pain, hope and longing about the place of #LGBTQIA+ people in the Church of England.
📍 St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
🌍 Join online: youtube.com/@stmartin-in-the-fields1726

Bishops Bid Farewell to Living in Love and Faith - The Living Church The Church of England’s House of Bishops has taken blessings for same-sex couples as far as possible without a stronger supporting majority in the church’s General Synod.

The Church of England’s House of Bishops has taken blessings for same-sex couples as far as possible without a stronger supporting majority in the church’s General Synod.
#TheLivingChurch #COE #JustinWelby #LivinginLoveandFaith

Temperature rises ahead of Bishops’ formal vote to put the brakes on same-sex marriage ‘I believe God has called me to faithful, permanent, stability of life with another woman’ says Dean of Bristol

"Where, among our bishops, are those with the courage to act from love?” the Dean of Bristol, the Very Revd Mandy Ford, asked on Sunday, as the House of Bishops prepares to finalise decisions on the Living in Love and Faith process. #livinginloveandfaith #LLF #samesexblessings

Pressure grows for ‘genuine inclusion’ of LGBTQ+ people in Church of England More than 7000 people sign open letter calling on House of Bishops to rethink LLF plan

Pressure grows for ‘genuine inclusion’ of LGBTQ+ people in Church of England

More than 7000 people sign open letter calling on House of Bishops to rethink LLF plan

#inclusion #samesexblessings #samesexcouples #livinginloveandfaith #churchnews #churchtimes

Slide through for a simple breakdown of the latest LLF update.

🚨PLEASE SHARE - setbacks like this show that we need as many people pushing for inclusion as possible

#churchofengland #livinginloveandfaith #equalmarriage

Open Table Liverpool community facilitator Warren Hartley

THE POWER of story to challenge prejudice - Warren Hartley's reflection on the Church of England's #LivingInLoveAndFaith process, and a phrase in the debate which reveals a real problem, was the 10th most viewed post on our website in 2024: /bit.ly/LLFstory #2024review #LLF