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AS A PARTNERSHIP of inclusive Christian organisations, we welcome the publication of Together in Love and Faith by the Bishop of Oxford and acknowledge the step forward that it represents in the journey towards full inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ+ people in the Church of England.

A story of self-acceptance from Jonny Masters, Diocesan Youth, Children and Families’ Adviser in the Church of England Diocese of Chester, and a founding member of our new Open Table community in Nantwich, Cheshire.

It’s not easy being a Christian woman who loves another woman - Wendy Young shares her story of teen love, ‘prayer ministry’ to free her from this ‘lifestyle’, and a marriage proposal which rocked her world.

THE TITLE of this article came from one of the 18 community consultations we’ve hosted since October 2021 with churches exploring the need for an Open Table community in their area. During these meetings we ask what are the qualities of the experience they would want to share with others if they host an Open Table community.

A YEAR AGO on National Coming Out Day, we launched a six-week crowdfunding campaign to raise £10,000 to bridge the gap between our budget as a new small charity and the growing demand for our support. This year, we’ve never been busier - please share about, and consider giving to, or fundraising for, OTN if you are able. Thank you!

SUNDAY WORSHIP on BBC Radio 4 this week was recorded at the annual HeartEdge Conference, which hosted the final of the 2022 Theology Slam, a competition that invites young people to reflect on contemporary issues through theology, scripture and tradition. The service incorporated the talks from all three finalists including OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young.

TODAY, 7th October, is the feast day of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, who are among the earliest authenticated and most celebrated Christian martyrs. Their story includes one of the earliest known references to ‘brother-making’ - a celebration of a loving, life-long, Christian relationship between two men, ‘not by the bond of nature but by faith and the spirit’.

THIS OCTOBER, St Bride’s Church in Liverpool is celebrating the contribution of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) communities past and present. Celebrations kick off with a special communion service on Sunday 16th October at 6.30pm led by the Revd Dr Ash Barker.

TODAY marks the second anniversary of the Coordinator of the Open Table Network taking on the role full-time, thanks to the success of our first major funding bid. Here we review highlights of our last 12 months, thanks to your support.

THE final of Theology Slam 2022 - a competition to find engaging young voices who think theologically about the contemporary world - featured a talk on the body by Revd Alex Clare-Young, OTN Co-Chair and pioneer minister in the United Reformed Church.