Uncategorized

FOLLOWING the success of our Q&As with our Patrons in 2020-21 (still available on our YouTube channel), OTN Co-Chairs Revd Andrew Howorth and Dr Carol Joyner were in conversation in the last of our new webinar series.

OTN is calling on supporters to sign an open letter in response to UK government policies that threaten the safety, dignity, and rights of trans, non-binary, and intersex people. The letter was created by Revd Sam Mackie, formerly part of the leadership team of the Open Table community in Derby, now an LGBTQ+ Chaplain in Essex.

THIS SATURDAY, 17th May, is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia [IDAHOBIT]. This year’s theme is ‘The power of communities’. How are you planning to mark the day this year?

A COMMITMENT to inclusive language often has a weakness when it comes to the language we use when we speak about God. Sadly, this is especially true of the scriptures we use, explains Michael Hampson, a published author devoting his early-retirement from parish ministry to producing practical resources for busy clergy and lay-led congregations, beginning with the weekly lectionary resource Sunday Scriptures for Reading Aloud: ssra.uk.

A MOVING and thought-provoking play in Liverpool last month invited us to imagine Jesus coming back to Earth now as a trans woman. Here playwright and performer Jo Clifford reflects on the impact of her return to Liverpool and her Queen Jesus performance.

FOLLOWING the success of our Q&As with our Patrons in 2020-21 (still available on our YouTube channel), former Open Table Network Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs was in conversation with OTN Director Kieran Bohan in the third of a new series of webinars.

MORE THAN 80 LGBT+ affirming organisations, including the Open Table Network, have signed a statement in response to judges at the UK Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law.

ON PALM SUNDAY, 13th April, Craig Bailey was baptised and confirmed as a Christian at Open Table Chester. Craig says the Open Table communities in Chester and Nantwich ‘have inspired me on my spiritual journey, through challenging homophobia, championing inclusivity and promoting the word of the Lord and embodying the ethos of “come as you are, all are welcome”. Here is Craig’s testimony from his baptism service:

A MOVING and thought-provoking play coming to Liverpool this month invites us to imagine Jesus coming back to Earth now as a trans woman. The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is a unique and emotive one-woman theatrical performance that ‘leaves everyone feeling blessed’ as it seeks to end trans discrimination.

FOUR YEARS after the Open Table Network became a charity, on Saturday 15th March we hosted an event for our Patrons and recorded a conversation between them with questions from our members.