Tonight in Liverpool, Diva magazine editor Jane Czyselska chaired a debate between veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Christian commentator and musician Vicky Beeching, Rose Neelam, a muslim and Faith Communities Officer at UK Black Pride, and lesbian Rabbi Ariel Friedlander, as part of the annual Homotopia LGBT arts festival. Read Peter Tatchell: My journey to Humanism Read …
Before I had said a word: Challenging my own expectations in Sri Lanka
WHAT DOES IT MEAN to encounter Christians whose context is very different from our own? That was one of the questions behind my visit to Sri Lanka in July as part of the Mutual Encounter …
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- 29th September 2026
- Appreciation, Christianity, identity, LGBT rights, Methodist, relationships, sexuality, Spirituality, Theology, YMCA
- abravefaith
Common ground is spiritual currency: Sharing good news differently
WHAT MIGHT CHANGE if we approached conversations about faith not as opportunities to persuade, but as invitations to listen, learn and encounter one another? A reflection on what happened when I set out to share my faith and found myself listening instead. Along the way, I discovered new questions about belonging, grace, authenticity and the kind of communities we are called to create.
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- 15th September 2026
- Christianity, Methodist, Open Table, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
No time to die: Mortality, vulnerability and the gift of life
Have you ever thought you had so much to do that you couldn’t get ill? I have. What began as several weeks of recurring chest discomfort eventually led me to NHS 111, a walk-in centre and a hospital Emergency Department. The reassuring results brought relief and gratitude, but also prompted some unexpected reflections on asking for help, receiving care, and not taking life for granted.
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- 9th September 2026
- Christianity, Gratitude, Liverpool, Meaning of Life, relationships, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
When God is already there: Learning through interfaith encounters
AS PART of my training for Methodist ministry, I have reflected on how encounters with people of different faiths have changed my understanding of where God is at work. From separation to encounter, I explore what interfaith engagement has taught me about listening, difference and faith.
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- 17th August 2026
- Christianity, Liverpool, Methodist, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
To be rather than to seem: The moral compass I want to carry
What would my moral compass look like? An unusual Christian Ethics assignment led me from family history and an old Latin motto to a coat of arms representing four themes that shape my writing, ministry and faith: authenticity, inclusion, peace and kindness.
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- 11th August 2026
- Christianity, identity, Kindness, Methodist, Open Table, relationships, Spirituality, Theology, YMCA
- abravefaith
Transfiguration and Hiroshima: What is mine to do for peace?
This week Christians celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, while the world also marks the eighty-first anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At first glance these events could hardly seem further apart. One is a story of dazzling glory on a mountain; the other of unimaginable devastation beneath a mushroom cloud.
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- 3rd August 2026
- Christianity, Methodist, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
Where vocation begins: St Martin and the origin of a calling, chapels, and chaplaincy
St Martin of Tours is remembered for sharing his cloak with a beggar, but his story has much more to teach us about vocation, ministry and recognising Christ in our neighbour. Reflecting on his life again while preparing to preach, I found fresh encouragement for the call to follow Christ in everyday life.
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- 5th July 2026
- Chaplaincy, Christianity, Methodist, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
Good news worth sharing?
AS PART of my ministry training, I’m exploring what happens when we share stories of faith and invite others to respond. I’d love to hear your perspective, whatever your beliefs or background.
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- 2nd June 2026
- Christianity, Coming Out, identity, Liverpool, marriage, Marriage Equality, Meaning of Life, Mental Health, Methodist, Open Table, sexuality, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
Pride, shame, and the possibility of life
JUNE is celebrated around the world as Pride Month, remembering the long struggle of LGBTQIA+ people to live openly and safely, free from fear, shame, and discrimination. Last Sunday, as part of my training as a …
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- 1st June 2026
- Christianity, Coming Out, Hate Crime, Homophobia, identity, LGBT rights, Liverpool, Michael Causer, Open Table, sexuality, Spirituality, Theology, Transphobia
- abravefaith
Grace before agreement: What living ecumenically has taught me
What does it mean to practice Christian unity today? Drawing on my own journey across Christian traditions and the story of the Open Table Network, I explore unity, grace, and the courage to stay at the table – especially when we don’t agree on everything.
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- 2nd March 2026
- Appreciation, Chaplaincy, Christianity, Civil Partnership, Gratitude, identity, Liverpool, Methodist, Open Table, relationships, Spirituality, Theology
- abravefaith
‘All Are Welcome!’: How a surprising witness is inspiring a national church
FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary history. This year the Methodist Church in Britain asked me to connect them with a minister who could tell the story of a church that had walked the sometimes difficult journey to becoming truly inclusive and hosting an Open Table community.
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- 22nd February 2026
- Christianity, Coming Out, Gratitude, identity, LGBT rights, Methodist, Open Table, Pride, relationships, sexuality, Spirituality
- abravefaith
Standing together in the gap: Migration, identity, and the search for home
AS PART of my training for ordained ministry in the Methodist Church in Britain, I have been invited to situate my own experience of migration within global theological perspectives, particularly those emerging from African and Latin American contexts. Engaging with migration studies has revealed my story as part of a much larger global, political and theological pattern of power, privilege, and displacement. Migration, therefore, is not an abstract concept for me; it has shaped my family, my childhood, and my ministry.
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- 18th February 2026
- Christianity, Human Rights, identity, Methodist, Theology
- abravefaith
Nov 12
‘You gotta have faith’ – Diva magazine debate on faith & sexuality
- By abravefaith in Christianity, LGBT rights, Liverpool, Marriage Equality, Meaning of Life, Spirituality
-
12th November 2014
- Catholic, Catholic Church, Christian, church, Church of England, Civil union, coming out, current-events, England, Gay community, Gay Lesbian and Bisexual, gender identity, God, homophobia, LGBT, LGBT social movements, Liverpool, Marriage, Mental health, Merseyside, pastoral care, Peter Tatchell, Place of worship, Roman Catholic Church, Same-sex marriage, Sexual orientation, sexuality, spirituality, theology, transphobia, Vicky Beeching
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/11/12/you-gotta-have-faith-diva-magazine-debate-on-faith-sexuality/
Nov 10
A very extraordinary synod
- By abravefaith in Christianity, LGBT rights, Marriage Equality, Spirituality
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10th November 2014
Early in the morning of Sunday 19th October I received a text message from the lay reader at our Anglican parish church, who was away for the weekend. This was unusual – what could be so urgent that she would text so early in the morning while she was on holiday? The text read: ‘Dear …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/11/10/a-very-extraordinary-synod/
Oct 11
Bringing all of yourself – LGBT Christian retreat day
- By abravefaith in Christianity, Coming Out, LGBT rights, Liverpool, Meaning of Life, Spirituality
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11th October 2014
OPEN TABLE, the monthly service for Liverpool’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT) community at St Bride’s Liverpool, held its first Retreat Day last weekend. Twelve regular participants in the Open Table service came together at the Cenacle Convent in Liverpool for a time of reflection on where we have come from as individuals and what …
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- Christian, church, Church of England, coming out, Gay community, Gay Lesbian and Bisexual, gender identity, God, homophobia, LGBT, LGBT social movements, Liverpool, Mental health, Merseyside, pastoral care, Personal development, Place of worship, Sexual orientation, sexuality, spirituality, theology, transphobia
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/10/11/bringing-all-of-yourself-lgbt-christian-retreat-day/
Sep 28
Reflect on the week – Friday guided meditation
- By abravefaith in Christianity, Liverpool, Spirituality
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28th September 2014
LAST YEAR, on pilgrimage to Bardsey Island with St Bride’s Church, Liverpool, I led night prayer each evening based on the spiritual practice known as the Examen, created by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. From this came the request to offer this practice regularly at St Bride’s, in the form of a guided meditation …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/09/28/reflect-on-the-week-friday-guided-meditation/
Aug 30
Facebook reinstates homophobic ‘awareness’ page
- By abravefaith in Bullying, Hate Crime, LGBT rights, Marriage Equality
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30th August 2014
RECENTLY I wrote about Heterosexual Awareness Month, a campaign against LGBT rights and marriage equality which is spreading ignorance and prejudice on Facebook. I discovered their Facebook page in May and reported some of its content, which I considered to be blatantly homophobic. At first Facebook responded to say these posts didn’t violate their Community Standards, even …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/08/30/facebook-reinstates-homophobic-awareness-page/
Aug 01
Are you proud of your heterosexuality?
- By abravefaith in Bullying, Hate Crime, LGBT rights, Liverpool, Marriage Equality, Michael Causer
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1st August 2014
DID YOU KNOW that July is becoming known as ‘Heterosexual Awareness Month’? Now that the month has passed, are you more aware of your own, or other people’s, heterosexuality? I’m guessing the answer is no – and I’m guessing that most of you probably don’t feel the need for a particular time to be proud …
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- equal marriage, Facebook, Facebook community standards, Gay community, Gay pride, Gay Youth R Out, GYRO, Heterosexual Awareness Month, homophobia, LGBT rights, Liverpool Pride, marriage equality, Michael Causer, Michael Causer Foundation, Murder of Michael Causer, Pride march, Same-sex marriage, Stonewall Riots, Straight Pride, transphobia
- 1 comment
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/08/01/are-you-proud-of-your-heterosexuality/
May 18
Stephen Fry visit to Liverpool LGBT youth group February 2013 – Part 2
- By abravefaith in Bullying, Hate Crime, LGBT rights, Liverpool, Marriage Equality
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18th May 2014
IN FEBRUARY 2013, Stephen Fry came to Liverpool to meet members of the Liverpool LGBT youth group GYRO (gay youth ‘r’ out) to find out about their experiences of being young and LGBT in 21st Century Britain. It was planned as part of his documentary on homophobia called Stephen Fry: Out There which was first broadcast by the BBC …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/05/18/stephen-fry-visit-to-liverpool-lgbt-youth-group-february-2013-part-2/
May 05
‘You’re not who I thought you were’ – Supporting LGBTQ young people
- By abravefaith in Bullying, Coming Out, Hate Crime, LGBT rights, Liverpool
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5th May 2014
This article about my work was published last week on the blog of Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people: Coming out to yourself… …is the first step FOR THE LAST nine years, I have had the pleasure of supporting young people …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/05/05/supporting-lgbtq-young-people/
Apr 19
A call to action as Catholic Church consults on marriage and family life
- By abravefaith in Christianity, Liverpool, Spirituality
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19th April 2014
A CALL TO ACTION, a group of Catholics campaigning for greater openness and dialogue in the Roman Catholic Church, is calling for the results of a consultation on sexual ethics to be released. The survey was commissioned by Pope Francis and sent to Catholic bishops around the world last November, with instructions to consult as …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/04/19/a-call-to-action/
Apr 06
UK: Same-Sex Marriage Dawns, Equality Fight Continues
- By abravefaith in Christianity, Civil Partnership, LGBT rights, Marriage Equality
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6th April 2014
THE CLOCKS WENT FORWARD in the UK last weekend, in more ways than one. The official start of British Summer Time with daylight saving coincided with the legalisation of same-sex marriages in England and Wales. So began an extraordinary week for LGBT equality. On Saturday March 29th, lesbian and gay couples around the country vied …
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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2014/04/06/uk-same-sex-marriage-dawns/
Recent posts
- Before I had said a word: Challenging my own expectations in Sri Lanka
- Common ground is spiritual currency: Sharing good news differently
- No time to die: Mortality, vulnerability and the gift of life
- When God is already there: Learning through interfaith encounters
- To be rather than to seem: The moral compass I want to carry
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