New guidance approved by the House of Bishops

Today, 11 December 2018, the Church of England issued the Press Release Guidance for gender transition services, a copy of which is reproduced below. In addition to linking to the text of the service and the pastoral guidance, it includes links to: the General Synod motion in July 2017; the House of Bishops update in January 2018 and background paper from the House of Bishops setting out the theological thinking.

The pastoral guidance will be incorporated into Common Worship, and encourages clergy to be “creative and sensitive” in using liturgy to enable people to mark a major transition in their lives. It formally commends the incorporation of the existing rite for the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith into services which mark gender transition.
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