Same sex couples are welcome at St Nicholas’. At present no Church of England church is legally permitted to marry people of the same sex, and the House of Bishops of the Church of England has declined to authorise a service of blessing for a Civil Partnership. The bishops’ statement says, ‘Where clergy are approached by people asking for prayer in relation to entering into a civil partnership they should respond pastorally and sensitively in the light of the circumstances of each case’ (para 18).

In most cases we would expect approaches from worshipping members of the congregation or members of the Electoral Roll. After a conversation with the parish priest, couples entering a Civil Partnership are welcome to attend any service at St Nicholas’, with friends and family, to hear the scriptures, pray, and, where appropriate, receive the Eucharist. Normally this would occur as near as possible to the civil registration of the Partnership.