‘Every single one of us is a delight to God’ - Sharing our More Than Welcome message

The open table for our communion service led by OTN Patrons Revd Dr John Bradbury and Revd Dr Rachel Mann

OTN Patron Revd Dr John Bradbury led our celebration of communion

OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young led our musical celebrations

OTN Patron Revd Dr Rachel Mann gave a reflection on the reading ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own’ [Matthew 6].

PhD student Mel Jones presented creative efforts from their ‘Sacred Space Mapping’ breakout group

CELEBRATIONS for the 14th birthday of the first Open Table community in Liverpool, and seven years since we became a network, reached their peak last weekend, at our national gathering on the theme ‘More Than Welcome’.

50 people, both old friends and new, attended the free event on Saturday 18th June to share:

• experiences with, and get inspiration from, members of our Network communities across England & Wales.

• our achievements in our first year as a charity (registered 19th March 2021) and plans for 2022 and beyond.

Highlights included:

• ‘Fire-starter’ questions from the Appreciating Church More Than Welcome resource, including: ‘What helps you get to know new people?’

• Sharing our first annual report, which shows how we’re growing, and so is the need for our communities.

• A moving meditation led by OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young, with songs performed by Nichole Grace from Open Table Reading, including You Say by Lauren Daigle.

• Breakout groups on social media, inclusive language, creative ways to host a communion service, personal stories, sacred spaces, and hospitality.

• A beautiful communion service led by OTN Patrons Revd Dr John Bradbury, gay minister. theologian. musician and General Secretary of the United Reformed Church., and Revd Dr Rachel Mann, trans Anglican priest, poet, writer and broadcaster. The service included prayers from Grace Like Glitter, A collection of resources created by members of the Iona Community’s LGBTQ+ Common Concern Network, edited by Alex and Jo Clare-Young.

Here are just a few comments on what people valued about the celebration:

‘Open Table has welcomed me, and reignited my faith, and been a significant part of pandemic isolation to connect with others.’

‘It's a great experience, plus the only community where I don't have racism.’

‘The support, community, the sustained welcome, permission to be me.’

‘Everyone coming together and sharing openly.’

‘All the friendship, love, validation.’

‘Identity politics and faith are not two things to reconcile. They can be inseparable.’

‘Every single one of us is a delight to God (not 'a disgust' as I was taught in my teens).’

‘Thank you for a wonderful spiritual uplift to everyone who truly made me welcome.’

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPEN TABLE! OTN Coordinator Kieran Bohan and his husband Warren Hartley lead signing and blowing out candles at our first community in Liverpool

We met in St Ambrose's Church, Leyland, Lancashire, home of one of our newest Open Table communities, as it is an accessible venue which offers warm hospitality.

While the event was free, some people generously made donations to help us to support those who needed financial assistance with travel and accommodation to be able to attend. Thank you for your generosity. Donate via PayPal here or read more about how you can support us.

Our 2022 national gathering was made possible thanks to generous support from the National Lottery Community Fund, Lenovo Kind City, & Reconcilers Together.

CELEBRATIONS CONTINUED on Sunday 19th June at our first Open Table community in Liverpool.

More than 40 people gathered to hear OTN Coordinator Kieran Bohan reflect on the Open Table story and how it relates to Pride Month.

Read his reflection here.