Category: Spirituality

Being in a body – Embodiment, gender, sexuality and spiritual accompaniment

ARE WE spiritual beings having an embodied experience or embodied beings capable of spiritual experience? This was the question with which I began a recent workshop for trainee spiritual directors on embodiment, gender and sexuality, which I deliver on behalf of the Open Table network of ecumenical worship communities for LGBTQIA+ Christians and all who …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/05/06/being-in-a-body-embodiment-gender-sexuality-and-spiritual-accompaniment/

The possibility of life – The third step on the #JourneyOfHope

Sometimes the Church can be an inhospitable place for those presenting a minority report, especially on gender identity and sexual orientation.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/04/15/the-possibility-of-life-the-third-step-on-the-journeyofhope/

Here I stand – The second step on the #JourneyOfHope

LAST MONTH I wrote about becoming a participant on the Journey of Hope pilgrimage of training in ‘Christian peace-building and reconciliation… to inspire and equip Christian leaders to become skilled practitioners of reconciliation in their churches and communities.’ reconcilerstogether.co.uk On the brink of the second step on this journey, I wrote about the first – …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/03/18/here-i-stand-the-second-step-on-the-journeyofhope/

In praise of God for LGBT History Month

FEBRUARY is LGBT History Month in the UK, an annual commemoration of the lives and achievements of LGBT+ people. Now in its 15th year, it was set up by Schools Out UK, which has campaigned for LGBT+ inclusion through education since 1974. This year’s theme is Peace, Activism and Reconciliation, as 2019 marks 50 years …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/02/27/in-praise-of-god-for-lgbt-history-month/

Turning to one another – Setting out on a #JourneyOfHope

LAST AUTUMN I saw an advert for a fully-funded six-month training programme in ‘Christian peace-building and reconciliation… to inspire and equip Christian leaders to become skilled practitioners of reconciliation in their churches and communities.’ It seemed too good to be true – an opportunity for fully-funded personal and professional development at a time when I …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/02/08/turning-to-one-another-setting-out-on-a-journeyofhope/

Seize the day – in memory of Stephen

JUST HEARD that Stephen – my friend and neighbour for almost 12 years – has died suddenly. I was too busy to visit him in hospital the last time he was there – in fact I didn’t even know he’d gone in again this month. He made this great montage of photos for Warren and I a couple of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/26/seize-the-day-in-memory-of-stephen/

Live fully, love wastefully, be all you can be – A reflection for #Christmas by John Shelby Spong

AT A carol service this month, hosted by the Open Table inclusive Christian community in Liverpool, I read one of the readings, which I found moving, inspiring and too good not to share. It’s an extract from a lecture called ‘Jesus for the non-religious’ by John Shelby Spong, a retired US Episcopalian Bishop: Suppose we change our …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/24/live-fully-love-wastefully-be-all-you-can-be-a-reflection-for-christmas-by-john-shelby-spong/

Welcome into the story! A reflection for the YMCA Christmas carol service

LAST WEEK the YMCAs in the Liverpool City Region gathered for a carol service in the city’s Parish Church, opposite the world famous Liver Building. As the chaplain for YMCA Liverpool, and just starting as chaplain for the YMCA in the neighbouring town of St Helens, I gave a reflection on the Christmas story and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/11/welcome-into-the-story-a-reflection-for-the-ymca-christmas-carol-service/

Kindness Calendar – Do Good December

‘Together we can change the world, just one act of kindness at a time’ – Ron Hall Let’s spread more kindness this festive season! This Do Good December kindness calendar from Action For Happiness has daily suggested actions to do throughout December 2018 to help you spread a bit more kindness in the world. The festive season should …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/01/kindness-calendar-do-good-december/

What Open Table means to me… Guest post by Jen

LAST WEEKEND 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 – took part in a day conference called Gathering Voices – From Welcome to Affirmation. As part of that event …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/10/31/what-open-table-means-to-me-guest-post-by-jen/

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