Welcome! No, really!
Knock, knock!
No corny joke to follow! Just a door opening, then a voice that greets you in the entrance. What do you hope happens next? Which of the following words would you prefer to hear? asks OTN Secretary Neil Rees.
We Have Voices: Praying together for peace, justice and change
OTN Patron Revd Dr Barbara Glasson has edited a new book of prayers to empower church communities to focus more fully and publicly on matters of justice. These original prayers commissioned specifically for public worship were contributed by a diverse range of people including two from a founding member of the first Open Table community.
Census: Christians less likely to be LGB+ than general population
THE 2021 CENSUS was the first time residents aged 16 and over in England and Wales had been asked voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity. A report from the BBC this week analysed data from the Office for National Statistics [ONS] which shows that while 3.2% of the general population identified as Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual or another minority sexual orientation (LGB+), only 1.7% of Christians identified as LGB+.
The power of story to challenge prejudice
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND’s Living in Love and Faith process on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage has stirred up a lot for many LGBTQIA+ people in the last few years. Warren Hartley reflects on his experience of the process, and a phrase in the debate which reveals a real problem.
Meet our new trustees from across & beyond the Open Table Network
AT OUR AGM on Tuesday 12th March 2024 we welcomed FOUR new trustees to our board for the next three years. Our trustees are responsible for thinking through and putting into practice plans which will develop the Open Table Network (OTN).
Prayers of Love & Faith – An update from the CofE’s General Synod
AT GENERAL SYNOD, the Church of England's governing body, last month up to eight hours was timetabled for debate on Living in Love and Faith (LLF), its long running project looking at identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.. Gill Ball, a member of the House of Laity from the Diocese of Chelmsford, explains what happened next and where we are now.
Rector of Liverpool accuses CofE of institutional prejudice – OTN Director responds
THE RECTOR of Liverpool Parish Church, one of the most significant civic roles in the Church of England, announced on Sunday that he could no longer, ‘in good conscience’ represent the Church which ‘perpetuates bias and discrimination against sections of society on the grounds of sexuality, race and gender’.
‘This Is My Story’ ranked in Top Five Queer Bible Podcasts
REFLECTIONS from Open Table members and friends have come third in the FeedSpot 5 Best Queer Bible Podcasts ‘ranked by traffic, social media followers and freshness’. Do you have a story to share?
The table and the hearts are open – Open Table Bradford’s first birthday
ON SUNDAY 3rd March, Bishop of Bradford Rt Revd Toby Howarth led a special celebration of Communion to mark the first birthday of the Open Table Bradford community, the first to meet outside a church as no suitable church venue could be found.
Open to All: an art exhibition of God’s wide-ranging love
Peter, one of our trustees, recently visited the ‘Open to All’ art exhibition by Elizabeth Gray-King. The exhibition, in association with the Open Table Network, is on a national tour of cathedrals and city centre churches in England and Wales until 21st July 2024.
