One of the questions we are often asked is ‘How can we make the words we use in church more inclusive for everyone?’

Speaking & singing to God

So we’ve gathered here some beautiful prayers, services, poems and songs (which some churches call ‘liturgy’) – our Open Table communities have found these to be inclusive and affirming.

Some of these resources have been created with LGBTQIA+ people very much in mind – while some is even more widely accepting and welcoming. We find it encouraging and affirming that there is so much to choose from.

Please browse here to find pieces that give you personal strength and encouragement. Or pick and choose what you want to use as you plan for services where two or more are gathered together.

Watch this space:

If you have found other resources you would recommend to others, please contact us and we’ll look at adding them to this page.

This hymn inspired one of our founders and still inspires us to model this in the hospitality we offer in our communities. ‘Come As You Are’ is our invitation to belong in our growing network.

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Inclusive worship resources:

“Using the language that individuals use for themselves shows that we care as a Church and that we affirm them as a child of God.”

— Methodist Inclusive Language Guide

LGBTQIA+ focus

“Using non-traditional language for God in worship can take many different forms. Some churches choose to use ‘inclusive’ language for God – not using genders, gendered pronouns, or specifically gendered metaphors for God. Others choose to use multiple images and metaphors for God, including understandings of God as both male and female. This is often called ‘expansive’ language. Language that expands beyond God as a single gender is also sometimes called ‘gender-neutral’ or ‘genderless.’”

— How do we talk about God in worship? queergrace.com