‘Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible’ – Dalai Lama So, you’ve survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday – and maybe had a little left over for Giving Tuesday? Let’s not forget that December is a marathon, not a sprint. It may be the ‘most wonderful time of year’ for some, it can also be the most expensive and challenging time …
November 2017 archive
Nov 27
The tide of gracious inclusion – A message for Open Table from Steve Chalke
LAST MONTH, Open Table – an ecumenical Christian worship community which offers a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church – hosted an event for members of the 11 existing Open Table communities, and those considering whether Open Table is a ministry …
Nov 23
A Handful of Hope – Gratitude As A Way Of Life #Thanksgiving
THIS MORNING on Facebook I shared a quotation that seemed appropriate for today: ‘If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.’ – Meister Eckhart Meister Eckhart, the 14th century German theologian, philosopher and mystic, was referring to gratitude as a spiritual practice. As chaplain to Liverpool YMCA, which provides 170 beds …
Nov 20
The theology and spirituality of Open Table – A person-centred approach
OPEN TABLE – an ecumenical Christian worship community which offers a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church – began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008, meeting once a month for a communion service. Since July 2015 we have been growing beyond …
Nov 18
Marriage equality – why is it important for faith communities?
AUSTRALIA HAS VOTED in favour of marriage equality for LGBTI people – the results were announced on Wednesday and greeted with joy and expectation that the law will now change to make it so. As my husband is Australian, I have followed the campaign with interest. We had a civil partnership in May 2012 – …
Nov 13
‘Will it be Open Table?’ Our history, mission, vision & values
OPEN TABLE – an ecumenical Christian worship community which offers a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church – has been a richly rewarding ministry at St Bride’s Liverpool since June 2008. St Bride’s relaunched in November 2007 with a …
Nov 05
‘Subversive, scandalous, dangerous take-over’ – A reflection on the growth of Open Table
OPEN TABLE – an ecumenical Christian worship community which offers a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church – began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008, meeting once a month for a communion service. At the first planning meeting, someone said: ‘Will …
Nov 01
Writing the icon of 9/11 – Remembering Fr Mychal Judge #AllSaints
On September 11, 2017, sixteen years after the devastating terrorist attack on New York’s World Trade Center, an article appeared online about its first recorded victim, which asked: ‘Could Father Mychal Judge Be the First Gay Saint?’ Father Mychal Judge was a little-known Franciscan friar ministering humbly to the disenfranchised and unloved on the streets of …
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