The head of Changing Attitude England, a group of Anglican Christians working for an inclusive church, has exposed a "shocking" act of anti-gay violence in Nigeria and called on the Church there to condemn it unequivocally.

The surprise appointment of Evangelical Alliance UK head the Rev Dr Joel Edwards to the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has already caused some controversy, especially among campaigners for lesbian and gay rights.

Anglicans in Canada and the United States are pushing ahead with local procedures for blessing lesbian and gay people in the church. The US Episcopal Diocese of California has authorised the use of three trial rites for same-sex unions.

The response of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church USA to the gay dispute within the Anglican church "gives encouragement to members of Changing Attitude and our brothers and sisters in many parts of our Communion", says the UK group, pledging to continue the struggle for inclusion.

In a move that will reclaim some of the ground that is typically occupied by conservative Christians, Gay Catholics are to focus on the idea of 'family'.

Deirdre Good and Julian Sheffield urge Episcopalians to embrace grace not fear