This year the Methodist Church in Britain has shared a prayer for this month by Pam Gold, coordinator of the Methodist LGBT+ Solidarity Circle. Pam was the former Co-Convenor of the Evangelical Fellowship of Lesbian & Gay Christians and founder of two Open Table communities.
‘This is my story’ is an occasional series of short devotions, based around the Bible, the experiences of Open Table members, reflection and prayer. This month we hear from OTN Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs, on what it means to be truly authentic with God.
IT'S THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY. We recall how Jesus prayed for all who believe in him: 'May they all be one' [John 17:21]. We thank God he didn't say 'one and the same'! We're called to unity not uniformity, so we celebrate our diversity. OTN Trustee Neil Rees reflects on why he believes what he believes.
BISHOPS are like buses: we wait ages for one then two come at once! On Sunday 21st January two Open Table communities are hosting their local Church of England leaders.
THANKS to 46 generous donors our Advent & Christmas Crowdfunder appeal raised more than £2,000! This was almost 82% of our £2,500 target. With these gifts, OTN can offer the #PromiseOfJoy to even more LGBTQIA+ people in 2024.
CHRISTMAS can be a difficult time for LGBTQ+ folk, let alone queer Christians. This Christmas Eve, PinkNews has shared ‘a special queer-inclusive Christmas message for LGBTQ+ people’ from Revd Sarah Jones, vicar at St John The Baptist church in Cardiff, the first person transgender person to be ordained in the Church of England.
AT A CAROL SERVICE hosted by the Open Table Salford community, Kieran the OTN Director shared this reflection inspired by the Open To All exhibition, which Sacred Trinity Church, Salford, is hosting throughout December 2023. In particular, he focused on the largest painting in the collection by Revd Elizabeth Gray King, called Nativity.
WHAT DO YOU DO when you can’t find a suitable poem for an Open Table carol service? Why not write one? That’s what Jo Miller, leader of our new Open Table Colchester community did, with her wife Georgina.
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND House of Bishops has approved the trial of a selection of readings and prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and asking for God's blessing for same-sex couples this week. The resources, known as Prayers of Love and Faith [PLF], can now be used in Church of England services for the first time from Sunday 17th December 2023.
For me, Open Table has been like the good soil [...]
Charitable Incorporated Organisation [CIO] no. 1193868 in England & Wales.
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