Brian McHenry will help choose next Archbishop

Brian McHenry, one of Southwark's General Synod representatives, will be a member of the committee which will choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

If you would like to comment on the qualities the new Archbishop will need or suggest a name for consideration by the Crown Appointments Commission you can write to the Archbishops' Appointments Secretary, Mr Anthony Sadler, at Cowley House, Little College Street, London SWIP 3SH, to reach him by Friday 15 February.

We have always been here...

Over 100 people gathered at St John's, Waterloo, on Wednesday 7 November for the launch of the Lesbian and Gay Support Network 'Statement of Integrity'. Keynote speakers were Canon Eric James, and Angela Mason, Executive Director of 'Stonewall'.

Steph Blackwell, Urban Projects Adviser, reminded those present that the group had come into being at the Caister Conference nine years ago. It now has 120 members. She said that two key images for the group have been a commitment to dialogue, and the living out of members' lives with integrity.

David Page, Vicar of St Barnabas, Clapham Common said the Statement celebrates how far the Network has come, with growing confidence among lesbian and gay Church members to proclaim who they are. Canon Eric James spoke - with a considerable degree of humour - of his time as a young priest in an era when coming out was dangerous. Angela Mason said that the Statement of Integrity sends a terribly important message to the Church, concerning the role of lesbian, gay and bi-sexual people.

The event itself was designed to be a celebration of the Statement's belief that, in all aspects of Church life lesbian and gay people 'are here, have always been here, and will continue to be here'.