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.

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.

‘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, Alan Harbottle reflects on his search for Christian perfection and how he has learned to trust that he is good enough.

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.

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.

DO YOU ever feel not good enough for what you feel called and gifted to do?

This month, Richard Bibby-Brooke, an Open Table Wirral member, reflects powerfully on how God called him to serve, to love and be loved, despite Richard feeling he wasn’t good enough.

ON SUNDAY 4th February 2024, Open Table Cambridge hosted a celebratory service to mark the start of LGBT+ History Month. OTN Patron Ven Dr Rachel Mann, Archdeacon of Bolton and Salford in the Church of England Diocese of Manchester shared this powerful message inspired by Mark 1:29-39.

LAST MONTH the Open Table community in Blackheath, south London celebrated six years and met for the last time. Revd Anne Bennett, vicar of the church which hosted the community, and Open Table Network trustee, shares her reflection on the journey.

‘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.

ON SUNDAY 21st January 2024 Right Reverend Doctor John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool led a celebration of communion at the first Open Table community in the city. He reflected on the story of the first reported miracle of Jesus in John’s gospel [John 2:1-11]

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.

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.

GENERAL SYNOD, the Church of England's governing body, met for an extraordinary meeting last month, which largely focused on Living in Love and Faith (LLF), its long running project looking at identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Nic Tall, a founding member of our Open Table Taunton community, explains what this means, especially for same-sex couples.

What does it mean to be a prophet? What image does that word conjure up for you?  At a celebration of the first birthday of our Open Table Nantwich community on Sunday 26th November, Warren Hartley from Open Table Liverpool asked these questions, inspired by the story of John the Baptist [John 1:6-8, 1:19-28] which we hear during the season of Advent.

Obviously this photo is a little humorous, not particularly serious, but it is important. Why? Because I am sick and tired of people telling me that it is not ok to be trans because ‘the body is a temple’, writes OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young.

‘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 trustee Neil Rees, on revisiting Scripture to find its message of radical inclusion.

LAST MONTH, the Open Table Bradford community hosted an away day addressing challenges that people face about ‘what the Bible says…’ about LGBT+ people. Dr Diana Tremayne, a member of the Church of England’s governing body General Synod, shares how this day helped her prepare for this month’s extraordinary meeting in London to debate blessings of same-gender relationships.

‘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 trustee Peter Jones, on the barriers we face, and how we can come together to make a difference.

TODAY, 11th October, is marked around the world as ‘Coming Out Day’. On Sunday 8th October, Warren Hartley from Open Table Liverpool preached at the Open Table Warrington community on the theme of ‘coming out’, inspired by the song of Mary, known as the Magnificat [Luke 1:46-55].