Lifted by hope - OTN Co-Chair shares reflection for Advent and Christmas
“However you are feeling today and maybe the dread that you have of the season ahead, our hearts can be lifted by hope.”
OTN Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs.
WATCH: Sarah’s intro video [2.5 mns]
IN THIS final week of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s year when we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas, Open Table Network Co-Chair Sarah Hobbs has shared a reflection for our partner organisation OneBodyOneFaith.
Following the success of its daily series of reflections for Advent in 2020, this year the charity, formerly known as the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, has been sharing weekly reflections exclusively for members.
Exploring the theme ‘Raw and Godly: Prophetic Truth in Advent’, this year’s series began with Revd. Jarel Robinson-Brown, Vice-Chair of OneBodyOneFaith, Revd. Andy Fitchet, a trustee of Affirm - Baptists Together for LGBT+ Inclusion, and Udoka Emmanuel-Odiachi, Deacon at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church.
In the last reflection for Advent 2021, Sarah says:
‘The beauty of the words of Isaiah, in this passage specifically is that the pages can be filled with something different. Despite the slightly melancholic reminder that time is fleeting, he offers joy and hope. In the book of Isaiah, this chapter is a turning point. The previous 39 chapters have predominantly dealt with the judgement of Judah, Israel and some of the other surrounding nations. Here he begins to layout what a future walking alongside God might look like. However you are feeling today and maybe the dread that you have of the season ahead, our hearts can be lifted by hope.’
All four reflections are available as text and video in the new OneBodyOneFaith members’ portal. Why not check it out today! And if you’re not a member, you can find out ways to join throughout Advent at a special rate. You’ll also receive exclusive access this year to the daily Advent reflections from 2020.
OneBodyOneFaith has worked in partnership with the first Open Table community in Liverpool since 2015, and supported the growing Network to host a national gathering in Coventry in October 2017 to support emerging communities across the country. We have also worked closely together with OneBodyOneFaith and other partners to support online events during the Covid pandemic, including SpaceToBe reflections, and a World AIDS DAY vigils. Together we are also founding contributors to this statement on the Power of Partnership, developed in response to conversations following some divisive and harmful responses to the Church of England’s Living In Love & Faith resources on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. We also worked together with Inclusive Church on a survey about experiences of online church.
Across December, OneBodyOneFaith is offering two discounts for new members: you can gift a membership for a Christmas present or recommend a friend during Advent - both come with discounts off the membership rate for the following year, and gift packs for the Christmas present membership.
There’s also an opportunity to sign your church up as a regular giver to OneBodyOneFaith and gain access to our resources that can be used in services, in addition to the offer of a guest speaker from OneBodyOneFaith in 2022.
