Jane Charman (@janeeecharman.bsky.social)

@QcWynter Leaving aside the ideology for a moment if one can, organisations like the WI are under pressure everywhere because people no longer want to take on the volunteer roles necessary to run them. If some are now closing that’s almost certainly the real reason.

A "Trans-Claiming Men's Institute"? Inclusive and open to all? I am convinced it would be a roaring success. I have now planted the seed. Someone only has to water and nourish that seed, and watch the organisation, my baby, grow & flourish.

@RationalAlien @spectator Colman at her drivelling worst.

@spectator Burchill at her withering best.

‘By ‘othering’ herself, she becomes a crafty chameleon, indicating that she is not really a filthy rich, highly privileged member of the cultural ruling class – but a rebel.’ Subscribe from just £1 a month to read more.

Bluesky now has a draft function I thought you’d Iike to know that

@JohnApplebyLD @floboflo @LeeAndersonMP_ I see what you did there

@floboflo @LeeAndersonMP_ Reform MPs are the pits.

I didn't go to Harvard. I went down the pit with my dad. That's where I learnt what real people in the real world expect from their politicians. There you go, answered it for you.

This made me smile

@Woke_66 @henry_sister @jan_murray You’re behind the times. An inclusive facility that caters for all identities and preferences now requires four spaces: one for men, one mixed sex, one for women who want a women’s space that includes men and one for women who don’t.

@jan_murray Trans women have used that pond for decades with no issues until a bunch of self appointed busy bodies and grifters who don’t even use the pond decided to stick their oar in and ignoring the wishes of the near 90% of women who do use it and are happy with it being inclusive.

This Telegraph headline - and many others I’ve seen - is inaccurate. The court did *not* rule that trans women can use the ladies’ pond at Hampstead Heath Ladies’ Pond. It ruled that this particular legal challenge couldn’t be brought in the High Court by a charity. Instead, it would have to be brought in a county court and by an individual woman, not an organisation. In non-legal terms, it’s a bit like complaining to John Lewis head office about an issue you think affects lots of customers - and being told you can’t complain there at all. You have to go to your local store and only the person directly affected can do it. So while this is understandably frustrating for Sex Matters, who brought the case, it does not mean men now have a green light to use the women’s pond (even if they say they are women). All the judgment says is this: this wasn’t the right court or the right route to decide the issue. It is therefore extremely misleading - and irresponsible - to suggest otherwise.

@JohnApplebyLD @Young_Anglican For some reason I can only see the intro …

@janeeecharman @Young_Anglican I've just posted it on my website - see profile.

I have never heard a compelling argument that explains why the issue of women's ordination is an agree to disagree issue while same sex marriage is clearly not. Any good articles or books which make this case?

@JohnApplebyLD @Young_Anglican Yes, please. I’m always interested to see what people are saying about these things.

@janeeecharman @Young_Anglican I'm about to submit an article for our diocesan 'Link' entitled 'Not another committee!', encouraging people to stand this spring at their annual meeting. Do you want a copy?

@JohnApplebyLD @Young_Anglican Quite a lot of synod time was given to exploring different models at one point but no consensus was reached. The best form of leverage at the moment is, as you say, to get yourself onto Deanery Synod.

@janeeecharman @Young_Anglican OK, but you know well what I mean. If Deanery Synods have loads of vacancies, and those on them are less progressive than average, then that can affect the make-up of GS. It's the system we have, though it needs some proper discussion about a better one.

@JohnApplebyLD @Young_Anglican The representativeness of General Synod is something I did a lot of work on in the past. Starting with the question of whom it is meant to represent 🤔

@janeeecharman @Young_Anglican Most Christians are increasingly tolerant of same-sex relationships. If a 2/3 majority can be achieved (the 1992 vote had a wafer-thin majority), then some priests and churches will leave, but probably well below 10%, maybe only 2-3%. A fully-representative vote is needed in GS.

@2D0XPS Such was my understanding.

@janeeecharman They do; she's just no longer on the General Roman Calendar, but only the National Calendar for Ireland (where she ranks as a Feast)

What do we think about this, churchy Twitter? I’ll admit to being shocked when I first learned that the RC church no longer recognises St Bridget as a canonised saint. Not least because I’m responsible for two churches dedicated to her.

@MadsDavies @Youthscape Teenagers apart, I know adults, indeed I know church leaders, who have been conditioned to read scripture in this way.

Fascinating @Youthscape report documenting teenagers' reactions to Bible passages. It suggests they have been culturally conditioned to read the Bible for moral lessons—“abstract ‘shoulds’ that strip stories of their theological depth and emotional power" churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2026/…

@cath_cov Helpful advice for all RCs in fact. It’s nearly 500 years since our two churches separated but some just can’t seem to let go.

Helpful advice from the BBC for those former Anglicans who have crossed the Tiber but incessantly offer social media commentary on Anglicanism.

@liturgicalben @tc1415 So long as Cathedrals can reserve the right to stab any troublemakers with a verger’s wand 😆

@tc1415 @janeeecharman Would be rather boring otherwise. It is a real court after all (although much better dressed than most courts - even the bishops have made an effort)

An objection was made to Dame Sarah's election - and dismissed. You'll recall that I predicted there would be one back in that big explanatory thread last year.

@WalkerMarcus Not come across that, no 😳

I have been hearing that certain churches are refusing to give absolution - or allow any mention of forgiveness - during this new "Season of Safeguarding". Is that actually something that's happening?

@DavidMorton359 @speakoutsister Interesting, thanks.

@janeeecharman @speakoutsister The gay cake ruling was based on an oddity of Northern Irish specific law. The Good Friday agreement made political beliefs protected. It was designed to protect nationalists and unionists. But it was very broadly drawn and Supreme Court took it as drafted.

Will I get an answer?

@chinmj @grumpyesq @holysmoke @churchofengland Have there been any instances of this happening, do you know?

@janeeecharman @grumpyesq @holysmoke @churchofengland or, in the cases where we do, they're either valuable for development, or include a building with crippling start-up repair costs.

Absolutely. My Ordinariate priest friends would support this. But everyone in charge is so risk-averse.