Open Table Network

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Open Table Network
The logo shows a circle of six rainbow coloured figures, above the words "Open Table, Come as you are"
Logo of Open Table Network, since 2016
AbbreviationOTN
FormationJuly 2008; 13 years ago (2008-07)
TypeCharity
Registration no.1193868
Legal statusCharitable Incorporated Organisation
Region
England and Wales
Coordinator
Kieran Bohan
Co-chairs
Alex Clare-Young
Sarah Hobbs
Websiteopentable.lgbt

Open Table Network (OTN) is a Christian charity which supports church communities for LGBT people and their allies.

History[]

In July 2008, the first Open Table community was founded at St Bride's Church, Liverpool; by 2019, the network consisted of 17 communities in England and Wales.[1][2] An article in the book Journeys in Grace and Truth, edited by Jayne Ozanne, describes the founding and history of Open Table.[3][4] In Christianity, "open table" refers to the custom of offering communion to all baptised Christians regardless of denomination.[5]

At the first planning meeting, someone said: 'Will it be "Open Table"?' When she explained that it means all are welcome, all can come as they are, we felt this was so important because we hear too many stories of people who feared exclusion, or were excluded, from their church community, who felt unheard or unable to express themselves or give their talents. So Open Table was born.[3][4]

Open Table began as a fresh expression hosted by the Team Parish of St Luke in the City, Liverpool,[6] which is served by the churches of St Bride, St Dunstan, and St Michael in the City.[7][8][9] Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Team Rector at St Luke in the City, advocates offering control of church organisations to marginalised groups, such as LGBT Christians; she describes Open Table as an "electrifying" example of this idea working successfully in practice.[10]

In 2016, Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, called for changes in the Church of England's attitudes to lesbian and gay people; recalling to The Guardian a visit to the Open Table congregation in Liverpool, he said: "I saw their faithfulness as Christians, often in difficult circumstances, sometimes in trying to say who they are within the church. I want to make room for a congregation like Open Table."[11] In 2019, Bayes described Open Table as "one of the fastest growing Church planting movements in England".[2]

In 2019, Open Table successfully campaigned for the Home Office to grant Yew Fook Sam, a gay Malaysian, asylum for five years.[12][1] The campaign started by Open Table and promoted by the Liverpool Echo gathered more than 5000 signatures to an online petition.[13]

Kieran Bohan is Coordinator of the Open Table Network.[12][14] He broadcast a reflection on Open Table as part of a BBC Radio 4 service led by Rachel Mann in September 2020.[15]

In 2020, the Open Table Network received a £15,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to fund staff time and technology to help support members of OTN communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

On 19 March 2021, the Charity Commission registered the Open Table Network as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, whose charitable object is the "advancement of the Christian faith, in particular but not exclusively amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex or asexual Christians".[16] The founding trustees included: Lucy Berry, Augustine Tanner-Ihm, Alex Clare-Young, Julian Hollywell, Sarah Hobbs, Anne Bennett, and Neil Rees. At the time of registration, there were 18 Open Table Network communities.[17][18]

Starting November 2020, new patrons of the Open Table Network introduced themselves on webinars. The new patrons are: Rachel Mann,[19] John Bradbury,[20] Bishop Cherry Vann,[21] Pádraig Ó Tuama,[22] Bishop Paul Bayes,[23] John L. Bell,[24] and .[25][26][27]

In July 2021, Civil Society Consulting prepared a report for Open Table, arguing that "LGBT Christians have been adversely affected by national lockdowns" and called for more support.[28]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Shennan, Paddy (20 February 2019). "The man who's 'not gay enough' to stay in the UK - according to the government". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b Davies, Madeleine (1 February 2019). "A bigger table: an interview with the Bishop of Liverpool". Church Times. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b Ozanne, Jayne, ed. (2016). Journeys in Grace and Truth: Revisiting Scripture and Sexuality. Ekklesia. ISBN 978-0993294242.
  4. ^ a b Bohan, Kieran. "A brief history of Open Table – A journey in grace and truth (21 June 2016)". A brave faith: One gay Christian seeking authenticity. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  5. ^ Wilson, Alan (27 September 2010). "The Book of Common Prayer, part 6: Fencing the table". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Faith in schools". Liverpool Echo. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2021. THERE is a service at St Bride’s Church this Sunday at 8.30pm for LGB&T Christians – and any seeking a more inclusive church – followed by a pub visit.The group, Changing Attitudes, is behind the service and it has a meeting planned with the Bishop of Liverpool next Wednesday. If you would like any points or views expressed to the bishop then please arrive at the church an hour early on Sunday to discuss them. The service, known as Open Table, will take place every third Sunday.
  7. ^ "Parish Profile: The Team Parish of St Luke In The City, Liverpool" (PDF). Diocese of Liverpool. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  8. ^ "THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. LUKE-IN-THE-CITY, LIVERPOOL". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  9. ^ "The Team Parish of St Luke in the City Liverpool". Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  10. ^ Threlfall-Holmes, Miranda (11 January 2019). "Evangelism isn't just for the Evangelicals". Church Times. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  11. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (16 June 2016). "Senior bishop calls for change in C of E attitudes to gay people". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  12. ^ a b Pidd, Helen (23 December 2019). "Home Office gives man asylum after accepting people can be gay and single". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  13. ^ Parsons, Vic (21 December 2019). "The Home Office told this man he wasn't 'gay enough' to stay in the UK. Now, he's been given asylum in time for Christmas". PinkNews. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  14. ^ a b "A CHAT WITH: KIERAN BOHAN, OPEN TABLE NETWORK COORDINATOR". LCR Pride Foundation. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Sunday Worship (27 September 2020)". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  16. ^ "THE OPEN TABLE NETWORK Charity Number 1193868". Charity Commission. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "UK news in brief". Church Times. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Charity Commission says 'Yes' to LGBT-affirming Christian network". Open Table Network. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Meet Our Patrons - Rachel Mann in conversation with Alex Clare-Young". Open Table Network. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Meet our Patrons - John Bradbury in conversation with Kieran Bohan". Open Table Network. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Meet our Patrons - Bishop Cherry Vann in conversation with Sarah Hobbs". Open Table Network. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Meet our Patrons - Pádraig Ó Tuama in conversation with Kieran Bohan". Open Table Network. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Meet our Patrons - Bishop Paul Bayes in conversation with Kieran Bohan". Open Table Network. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ "Meet our Patrons - John Bell in conversation with Alex Clare-Young inc BSL interpretation". Open Table Network. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "Meet our Patrons - Barbara Glasson in conversation with Kieran Bohan". Open Table Network. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ Handley MacMath, Terence (30 November 2018). "Interview: Barbara Glasson, President-elect of the Methodist Conference". Church Times. Retrieved 3 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Glasson, Barbara (5 October 2019). "The Methodist Church is rethinking its position on identity and sexuality". The Times. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Open Table: LGBT Christians 'need more support'". Church Times. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021. LGBT Christians have been adversely affected by national lockdowns, because they have lacked access to in-person emotional and spiritual support, a report from the Open Table Network (OTN) suggests. 'These are all people who have experienced prejudice and exclusion at home, in the workplace, local community, but especially in faith communities,' its report, prepared by Civil Society Consulting, explains.

External links[]

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