Sep 27
WHAT MAKES the debate over same-sex marriage around the world really interesting is the power of empathy, when ordinary people who are not LGBT begin to see it from our point of view. Spare six minutes to hear this man say why he began to get what it’s like to be judged second-rate for who …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/27/watch-defriended-over-a-wedding/
Sep 22
LAST WEEKEND the church where my civil partner and I worship together celebrated Inclusive Church Sunday. Despite major building work which unexpectedly revealed the presence of asbestos, and has restricted access to the building during the week, last Sunday the doors opened for three special events to mark the occasion. The day was dedicated to Inclusive …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/22/inclusive-church/
Aug 11
The following text is a reflection I presented today during Morning Prayer at the church I attend with my partner. The church chooses a monthly theme for its services – this month’s theme was Musicals! When my partner and I were asked to lead a service on the theme of musicals, at first I thought: …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/08/11/i-am-what-i-am/
Jan 27
HAVE YOU EVER wondered why people are so different? Why they can’t all be like you? Why people don’t understand where you’re coming from or what makes you tick? Welcome to the human race – questions like these have preoccupied us for centuries, and no doubt will for generations to come. There have been many …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/01/27/nine-ways/
Jan 25
TONIGHT I was invited to share my story at the local meeting of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, which describes itself as: a UK-based international charity which challenges homophobia and transphobia, especially within the Church and faith based organisations, as well as working to create and praying for an inclusive church. The timing seemed …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/01/25/keeping-faith-in-pride/
Dec 09
TODAY I STAYED at home in the warmth, working on the annual report of the Michael Causer Foundation, of which I am a trustee. To prevent me going stir-crazy from being home all day, I decided to walk to the evening service at a nearby Anglican Church. On the way, I passed the derelict Welsh …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/12/09/photo-a-day-dec9-out-about/
Dec 04
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT a black and white photo that adds drama and impact. This was not taken today, but on the day of our civil partnership on 6th May. It is one of my favourite photos of the year, too good not to share. My partner and I are poised on the threshold of the …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/12/04/photo-a-day-dec4-blackwhite/
Nov 15
THREE THINGS go everywhere with me in my satchel – a diary, my phone charger, and perhaps the least interesting yet most useful gift I have ever received. The black leather conference folder was a gift from a former housemate one Christmas – I remember being unimpressed and underwhelmed at the time. What could I …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/11/15/photo-a-day-nov15-in-my-bag/
Nov 06
SINCE TODAY WAS our ‘demiversary’ (six months since our civil partnership) I am cheating by sharing my favourite photo taken on that day instead of today. As my friend Sean catches the owl that flew the length of the church aisle carrying our rings, our family and friends looked on amazed, as we had kept …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/11/06/photo-a-day-nov6-my-favourite/
Sep 23
THIS is a detail of Jacob Wrestling With The Angel, by Alexander-Louis Leloir (1865). I discovered this image as I began writing my coming-out-in-faith story. I believe the story which inspired it has something to teach us about our identity, which may explain its popularity as a source of inspiration for artists, and why it speaks …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2012/09/23/the-scared-and-the-sacred/
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