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AT our national gathering in Cambridge on Saturday 10th June, our guest speaker was Revd Dr Jonathan Tallon, author of Affirmative: Why You Can Say Yes to the Bible and Yes to People Who Are LGBTQI+ and the website bibleandhomosexuality.org. He spoke about the understanding of ‘pride’ in the New Testament, with reference to Acts 4:1-31.

‘The phrase ‘Come as you are’ resonates loudly in our monthly worship. I needed to hear it and experience it for myself.’

LAST YEAR OTN saw a large rise in requests for support from around the world, particularly from Uganda, where the President passed a harsh Anti-Homosexuality Act last month. In the closing communion service at our national gathering on Saturday 10th June, OTN trustee Neil Rees shared prayers of solidarity and a call to action for our LGBTQIA+ siblings.

TWO PATRONS of the Open Table Network (OTN) sent messages of support, encouragement and hope for the charity’s national gathering on Saturday 10th June.

JUNE 1st-7th is Volunteers’ Week - a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you. The Open Table Network wouldn’t - and couldn’t - exist without the volunteers who give energy, time and talents.

AN ARTIST who creates images inspired by theological and social issues is working in partnership with the Open Table Network to host an exhibition touring cathedrals and town centre churches.

‘As soon as the service ended, I was surrounded by happy, welcoming faces, and warm hearts, wonderful people who shared so many similar experiences.’

AS WE PREPARE to celebrate the 15th birthday of the first Open Table community in Liverpool, Warren Hartley, one of its founding members, shares how the words we use in worship reflect the diversity of this community.

The Open Table Network’s 2023 national gathering is called ‘More than Equal’. OTN trustee Roo Stewart explains more about what we mean by that.

WE HAVE MOVED to a new office this month, thanks to support from the United Reformed Church.