What it Means to be Inclusive 

St Mark’s is proud to call itself an inclusive church. We are members of Inclusive Church and sign up to their statement: 

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

And yet, we are not free from the reality of inequality and discrimination.  We aim to be honest about the fact that all are welcome here and yet we are not allowed to marry same sex couples – because these are the rules of the Church of England.  It’s not fair and it’s not equal. 



A small but significant step forward was taken in February 2023 when General Synod approved the production of liturgies to celebrate and bless couples in same-sex relationships. The PCC have agreed the use of prayers of love and faith, and have agreed to conduct stand alone services, once these have been approved by General Synod. Watch Sue and Beth discuss these changes.

We try to be the kind of community where everyone can play a full part. Yet we are predominantly white and well-educated, so we know that some people don’t feel that they fit in here. We have a lot still to learn.