1. Name and Status
a. We are Light’s Hope (“the Church”).
b. We are a Christian denomination, rooted in the Anglican tradition and enriched by the wider life of the Church. We honour the faith journeys of others, and we work alongside people of every tradition and background.
c. We are a not-for-profit body. All income and resources are used to serve our purpose. Nothing is taken for private gain.
2. Interpretation
a. In this Constitution:
- “The Church” means the whole denomination.
- “Church” means a local congregation recognised as part of the denomination.
- “Church Family” means the people who belong to a local Church.
- “Trustees” means the Governing Body of the denomination.
b. Words in the singular include the plural, and vice versa, where the context allows.
c. Any question of interpretation shall be decided by the Trustees, subject always to the law.
3. Vision, Mission, and Theory of Change
Our Vision
We are a community of churches rooted in welcome. For those who are LGBTQIA2+, on a different path, neurodivergent, spiritually curious, deconstructed, wounded, hopeful, or uncertain of belief. Here, faith isn’t a requirement and doubt isn’t a barrier. We grow together, ask hard questions together, and make room for difference — not as a problem to fix, but as something to honour. Whoever you are, however you come, you are welcome.
Our Mission
We are Light’s Hope, a community of churches rooted in welcome. Across every gathering, our doors are open to the LGBTQIA2+ community, the neurodivergent, the deconstructed, the wounded, the hopeful, and those who have never believed before. Faith is never required, and doubt is never a barrier. We gather to worship, break bread, pray, and learn together — rooted in Anglican tradition yet shaped by the lives and voices of our communities. We are committed to care that is practical as well as spiritual, planting new churches wherever welcome is needed, and supporting those called to serve with ordination and training. Above all, we follow Jesus, who welcomed everyone without exception.
Our Theory of Change
- The Problem / Need
Many people feel excluded, unsafe, or unwelcome in traditional church settings, especially LGBTQIA2+, neurodivergent, disabled, or those who have deconstructed or left faith. Communities need spaces of belonging, compassion, and justice — rooted in faith but not bound by gatekeeping. - Our Inputs
• Committed leaders, ministers, and volunteers
• Inclusive theology rooted in Anglican tradition but open to all
• Safeguarding, governance, and policies for safe practice
• Training and ordination pathways
• Church Families offering worship, care, and community - Our Activities
• Gather Churches for worship, communion, prayer, and learning
• Provide pastoral care and practical support
• Train and ordain ministers and leaders
• Plant and support new Churches where welcome is needed
• Promote equality, inclusion, and safeguarding
• Engage in advocacy for compassion and justice in wider society - Our Outcomes (short–medium term)
• People of every background find belonging in Church Families
• Ministers and leaders serve with confidence and authenticity
• Safeguarding standards are upheld across all Churches
• Communities experience care that is both spiritual and practical - Our Impact (long term)
• A growing network of inclusive Churches where everyone is welcome
• A safer, more compassionate church culture across the UK
• Transformation of lives through faith, belonging, and justice
• A sustainable denomination with leaders equipped for the future
4. Our Purpose
Light’s Hope exists:
- To share the Christian faith in the United Kingdom and beyond, shaped by Anglican tradition and lived out through openness, welcome, and inclusion.
- To create communities where all people — including LGBTQIA2+, neurodivergent, interfaith, spiritually curious, deconstructed, hopeful, or wounded — can belong without condition.
- To provide worship, sacraments, and teaching that draw from Christian tradition, while honouring the dignity, wisdom, and lived realities of all people today.
- To offer pastoral care and practical support to anyone in need, regardless of faith or belief.
- To train, ordain, and support leaders to serve with confidence, depth, and freedom to be fully themselves.
- To plant and sustain congregations that carry the vision of hope, welcome, and belonging wherever they are needed.
- To promote compassion, justice, peace, and equality in Church life and in the wider world, following the example of Jesus Christ, who welcomed everyone without exception.
5. How We Work
The Church may:
- Gather for worship, sacraments, prayer, learning, and care.
- Raise and receive funds, always in line with the law and our not-for-profit nature.
- Own, rent, or use property and resources needed for our life and work.
- Employ staff and welcome volunteers.
- Train, ordain, and support ministers and leaders.
- Plant and support congregations.
- Work with people of other churches, faiths, and worldviews wherever there is common cause.
- Do anything else lawful that helps us live out our purpose.
6. Membership
a. Membership includes:
- Local Churches recognised by the Trustees.
- Clergy and ministers licensed or ordained by the Church.
- All individuals who belong to a Church Family of a recognised congregation.
b. A new Church becomes part of the denomination when recognised by the Trustees.
c. Belonging to a Church Family is enough to be a member. No conditions of belief or conformity are required.
d. A Church may only be removed after a fair process if it acts in serious breach of this Constitution or brings the denomination into disrepute.
7. Trustees
a. The denomination is overseen by Trustees, who act as its Governing Body.
b. Trustees are responsible for:
- Ensuring the Church’s purpose is carried out.
- Offering oversight and support to Churches and ministers.
- Safeguarding the assets, integrity, and reputation of the denomination.
- Recognising new Churches.
- Setting and reviewing policies in safeguarding, finance, training, and inclusion.
c. Trustees number not fewer than three.
d. Trustees are appointed according to denominational procedures, normally for [three years], and may be re-appointed.
e. Trustees must not be disqualified under law and must affirm the purposes of the Church.
f. Trustees may be removed if they resign, become ineligible, or after fair process if they seriously breach this Constitution.
8. Meetings of Trustees
- Trustees meet as often as needed, at least [three] times a year.
- Meetings may be called by the Chair or by any [two] Trustees with notice.
- Quorum is [one third], never fewer than three.
- Decisions are by simple majority, with the Chair holding a casting vote if needed.
- Meetings may be in person or by electronic means.
- Minutes are kept for every meeting.
9. General Meetings
- An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held each year, with [21] days’ notice.
- Business includes reports, accounts, trustee appointments, and resolutions.
- Quorum is representatives from at least [one third] of recognised Churches.
- Decisions are by majority, except constitutional amendments which need [two-thirds].
- Extraordinary General Meetings may be called by Trustees or by [one quarter] of Churches.
10. Finance
- Funds and resources are used only for the Church’s purpose.
- No income or property is taken for private profit.
- Proper accounts are kept, examined as required by law, and presented at the AGM.
- Bank accounts are held in the Church’s name.
- Trustees are not personally liable when acting honestly and reasonably.
11. Safeguarding
- The Church is committed to the care and protection of children, young people, and adults at risk.
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, across every Church Family.
- Each Church appoints a Safeguarding Officer.
- All relevant people (clergy, trustees, volunteers) undergo checks, training, and supervision.
- Concerns are always taken seriously and acted on promptly.
- Failure to comply with safeguarding is grounds for removal.
12. Indemnity and Insurance
- Trustees ensure proper insurance is in place (public liability, safeguarding, property, etc.).
- Indemnity insurance may be arranged for office holders, except for fraud or misconduct.
- No Trustee, minister, or officer is personally liable for losses when acting in good faith.
13. Amendments
- This Constitution may be amended at a General Meeting with [21] days’ notice and a two-thirds majority.
- No amendment may undermine the not-for-profit nature or core purposes of the Church.
14. Dissolution
- The Church may be dissolved by a three-quarters majority at a General Meeting, with [28] days’ notice.
- Trustees remain in office to wind up affairs.
- Remaining assets are given to organisations with similar purposes, or to other charitable purposes close to our vision.