Our news
There’s always a lot going on both in and around the Open Table Network, and in other communities. Here are some which involve or interest us most right now. It’s good to know LGBTQIA+ people have a growing voice in so many areas of local, national and international life.
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Two:23 meeting with OTN Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young
THIS MONTH’S Two:23 Network meeting included a reflection by our Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young on transformation and recreation. Alex also a United Reformed Church minister, theologian, writer and campaigner. As a trans-masculine non-binary person, Alex is passionate about advocating for the inclusion of, and social justice for, trans people.
Meet our Patrons - Bishop Paul Bayes in conversation with Kieran Bohan
IN THE FIFTH of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons, Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, an outspoken advocate for LGBTI+ inclusion in the Church of England and beyond, was in conversation with Kieran Bohan, Co-ordinator of the Open Table Network.
Evangelical Alliance writes to PM to defend 'religious freedom' in calls to ban conversion therapy - OTN responds
LAST WEEK, as the House of Commons debated a ban on conversion therapy, in response to a petition signed by more than 250,000 people, the UK Director of the Evangelical Alliance wrote to the Prime Minister claiming that ‘Proposals to end conversion therapy risk criminalising everyday church activities’. The Open Table Network has issued this response.
Vatican statement declares blessing same-sex relationships is 'illicit' - OTN responds
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH’S office for promoting its teaching authority, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has issued a statement in response to a question: ‘Does the Church have the power to bless unions of persons of the same sex?’ The answer is ‘Negative’, in more ways than one. The Open Table Network has issued this response.
Life-giving, loving, faithful God - Prayers for the Church of England's Living in Love & Faith process
AS THE Church of England is in the process of sharing its Living in Love and Faith (LLF) resources on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, we offer these prayers for everyone involved, and those who feel unable to be involved.
The Open Table Network marking LGBT+ History Month - BBC Radio Merseyside interview
AS IT’S LGBT+ History Month, our Network Coordinator Kieran Bohan was interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Breakfast programme this morning.
Meet our Patrons - Pádraig Ó Tuama in conversation with Kieran Bohan
IN THE FOURTH of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons, Pádraig Ó Tuama, poet, theologian & reconciler, was in conversation with Kieran Bohan, Co-ordinator of the Open Table Network.
The power of partnership
WE ARE DELIGHTED to be a founding contributor to this statement, 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.
Two:23 meeting with OTN Coordinator Kieran Bohan & OT Liverpool leader Warren Hartley
THIS MONTH’S Two:23 Network meeting included an interview with Open Table Network Coordinator Kieran Bohan on his faith journey and the Open Table story. His husband Warren Hartley also shared a reflection inspired by his experience of supporting the first Open Table community in Liverpool, called: ‘Made in God's image: a person-centred spirituality‘.
Meet our Patrons: Bishop Cherry Vann in conversation with Sarah Hobbs
IN THE THIRD of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons, 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.
Thank you for completing our survey - your voice matters
THANK YOU to all who took time to complete our survey and share what your Open Table community and the Open Table Network mean for you. Watch this space for updates.
Meet our Patrons: John Bradbury in conversation with Kieran Bohan
IN THE SECOND of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons. John Bradbury, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, co-editor of Thinking Again About Marriage and co-founder of Open Table Cambridge, was in conversation with Open Table Network Coordinator Kieran Bohan.
Get up and glow with our Network Co-ordinator!
IN ITS fabulously titled 'Get Up & Glow' e-news, Liverpool City Region Pride has featured an interview with our Network Coordinator, Kieran, to find out how we provide safe, supportive and affirming spaces for LGBT+ people explore beliefs and identities.
OTN patrons sign global interfaith declaration on 'the sanctity of life and the dignity of all'
MORE THAN 370 religious leaders from around the world are calling for a ban on conversion therapy - the attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity - including three patrons of the Open Table Network.
Our 2020 vision: Infinitely more than we can ask or imagine
A REVIEW of 2020 from Kieran our Network Coordinator, and an invitation to help us help you even more in 2021 by completing a short survey.
Open Table Network trustees respond to Church Of England's Living In Love & Faith project
OTN TRUSTEES have prayerfully reflected on the publication of the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith resources on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage, and offer this response.
Our Co-Chair speaks to BBC Radio 4 Sunday Programme about LLF process
OUR CO-CHAIR Alex-Clare-Young has spoken to BBC Radio 4 Sunday programme about a video which personally attacked him and others who shared personal stories as part of the Church of England’s Living In Love And Faith project.
Are you seeking a Journey Of Hope?
IN 2019 our Co-ordinator Kieran Bohan took part in the Journey of Hope, a six month leadership programme for people of faith to transform their communities. Kieran’s story is now a video case study as the Journey Of Hope recruits new participants for 2021.
Meet our Patrons: Rachel Mann in conversation with Alex Clare-Young
IN THE FIRST of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons. trans priest, poet, writer & broadcaster Rachel Mann was in conversation with our Co-Chair Alex Clare-Young, also a trans Christian minister.