The Liverpool Diocese has recently been consulting members in the wake of its own Theology of Friendship Report, and both the publication of More Issues in Human Sexuality and the Windsor report. A number of discussion workshops were arranged, five in all, although poor take-up meant that only three were held. The format incorporated two group leaders outlining the progress made, and an hour or so was given over to discussion. Changing Attitude supporters were present at each of the workshops.

Our feeling was that in many ways, they were something of a disappointment. The attendance was not high – the total number would not have exceeded 100 people – and most of those were people who had already made up their minds – on both sides of the argument. We also felt that the format did not really encourage any more considered or reflective work on the issue. Members recalled, at the CA meeting we held in the wake of the event, how they had experienced many ‘ordinary church-goers’ as being reluctant to go and discuss this issue. The next stage will emerge after a debriefing to which the group leaders and remaining members of the Theology of Friendship group will be invited. Changing Attitude supporters are amongst their number.

Our future plans are: at our next Meeting, we will be telling some of our own stories – where we reached where we are today, and why. And in the wake of the meeting we held where we invited open evangelical clergy to come and meet us and discuss some of the issues, we felt that a series of events where Biblical analysis and examination was the focus should be made available via Changing Attitude. Again, these will be aimed in particular at evangelical clergy, with Liverpool being a strongly evangelical diocese, although there are a number of evangelicals who have made clear their support. We are looking to see these happen in the Autumn of this year. The initial get-together with evangelical clergy led to three signing up to support the local group, and a fourth inviting one of the convenors to come to the PCC and talk about Changing Attitude and some of the issues involved.