Meet our Patrons: Bishop Cherry Vann in conversation with Sarah Hobbs
THE OPEN TABLE NETWORK (OTN) is becoming a charity. So we have asked several notable Christians who identify as LGBTQIA+, or as allies, to become our patrons.
They will be advocates for OTN, speaking about us and supporting us in the public eye. We are proud that these individuals believe in what we’re doing and want to have their names associated with us.
In the third of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons, on Thursday 21st January 2021, Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth, the first lesbian bishop in the Church in Wales, and in a civil partnership, was in conversation with Open Table Network Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs.
If you missed our Q&A webinar with Cherry Vann, or want to watch it again, now you can catch up below or on our YouTube channel (54 mins).
The Right Revd Cherry Vann was among the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1994. When she became Bishop of Monmouth in south Wales on 2nd February 2020, media attention focussed on the fact that she was the first lesbian bishop in the Church in Wales, and that she has a civil partner. As Archdeacon of Rochdale for 11 years before that, she celebrated with Open Table communities in Liverpool and Manchester, and supported a community consultation which led to forming the Open Table community in Derby.
Bishop Cherry was in conversation with Sarah Hobbs, Co-Chair of the Open Table Network. Sarah works as the Managing Director of a consultancy which supports large organisations to identify and release the talents of their employees. She is an experienced conference speaker and Zoom webinar host with a passion for helping people to realise their potential. In 2017, she publicly came out as a transgender woman and began her transition process.
Bishop Cherry answered a wide range of questions, including:
How did you become a Christian?
Did you stick with the Church as you grew up?
Was there a moment when you made a choice to stay with your faith?
When did you realise your sexuality was at odds with your experience of church?
Was there a point when you 'came out' or was it more gradual?
In your visit to [the consultation that led to starting Open Table in] Derby you made a public declaration. What led you to make yourself vulnerable during that day?
How did the Church of England College of Bishops respond when you came out in your role on the Pastoral Advisory Group?
What was the reaction when your appointment as Bishop of Monmouth was announced?
Do you think you would ever have been appointed as a bishop in England?
What was it like to consider vocation in the Church of England before women were allowed to be ordained as priests?
How did you feel about being ordained as a deacon but unable to become a priest?
How did you deal with negative reactions to the ordination of women?
There are parallels with those who oppose LGBT people in ministry. How do you remain gracious with such opposition?
Can the Living In Love And Faith process on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage in the Church of England create safe enough spaces to enable people to be honest and share their stories?
Has it got easier to be a woman in the priesthood?
Is there hope for other under-represented people who feel called to priesthood?
You said in a local newspaper that the church is struggling to be relevant in people’s lives, whereas who you are is sharply relevant to most people outside the church, they might see you as a role model. Is there pressure to hide what could actually be a missional asset?
How do you feel about being a role model in the church?
How do you manage the challenge of campaigning on sexuality issues when others profoundly disagree?
What is the potential same-sex marriage to become possible for the Church In Wales?
What could the Church of England's Living In Love And Faith process learn from where the Church In Wales is on these issues?
How do we remain open and gracious while holding the tension in dialogue with those who disagree with us?
Why does Open Table matter to you personally?
The Open Table Network is built around two principles: Communion and community. Do you think these have a particular importance for LGBT+ Christians?
If you could choose to sit around a table with anyone, who would it be?
What are your hopes for the year – for the Church? And for yourself?
Why can't other bishops be as courageous, open and honest as you?
How did you cope with the media attention when you were appointed as Bishop?
Has the media attention passed or has it continued?
What part do courage and imagination play in pursuing a vocation?
Is there a point at which we admit that church may be a barrier to LGBT people in ministry, or is there hope?