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THIS SONG was recorded recently by PhD researcher Peter Jones, whose research features stories of Open Table members. Peter is a queer, trans person within the discernment process for ministry in the Church of England.

ON SUNDAY 15th January, the Archdeacon of Liverpool, Ven Mike McGurk, came to Open Table Liverpool. Mike reflected on the account in the Gospel [John 1:29-42] of Jesus being baptised by John, and his response to John’s followers to came to follow him.

THANKS to 86 generous donors our Advent & Christmas Crowdfunder appeal raised more than £3,000! This was almost two-thirds (65%) of our £5,000 target.

MORE THAN 170 LGBT+ affirming organisations have signed a statement in support of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill which the UK Government is attempting to block. OTN is one of the signatories urging the PM to treat trans people with respect.

AS AN LGBT+ affirming Christian charity, we welcome the news that the Irish government intends to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ which attempts to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. We have worked in partnership with others to call on the UK Government to do the same, and will continue to do so.

THIS CHRISTMAS, for the first time, the Open Table Network worked in partnership with other LGBT+-inclusive organisations and churches to bring Big Queer Carols to four cities across England and Wales.

THIS YEAR, for the first time, the annual Big Queer Carols event hosted by OneBodyOneFaith in London went on tour across England and Wales, to three more churches, in Cardiff, Salford and Sheffield. OTN trustee Augustine Tanner-Ihm offered this reflection on the Christmas story.

THIS WEEK our first Open Table community in Liverpool once again hosted the carol service for the parish where they meet. This year, LGBTQIA+ ministry facilitator Warren Hartley offered this reflection.

THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS, which includes all serving bishops in the Church of England, held its second three-day meeting this week to continue discerning a way forward on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. They were joined by members of the Living In Love & Faith Reference Group, including OTN Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs.

THIS WEEK the Church of England’s College of Bishops meets to continue its reflections on how to respond to feedback from across the Church on its Living In Love And Faith process on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Warren Hartley, co-facilitator of the Open Table Liverpool community offers four insights.