abravefaith
A brave faith
A #gay #Christian seeking authenticity. 1st UK civil partnership in place of worship. Shares #LGBT #faith #hope #love stories to #inspire & #challenge.
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'Doubting' Thomas is so much more - A more generous response to the infamous apostle
The early church in Jerusalem sharing money and food, by Laura Williams © rootsforchurches.com.Click on the image to open in a new window.
TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool, on the second Sunday of Easter.
The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings for the day:
Acts 4:32-35, an account of…
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The work of Christmas begins - An Epiphany reflection
Detail from sweatshirt design depicting the magi riding camels towards the star. The first is pointing at the star. The last is saying ‘Are we nearly there yet?’
THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church in 2022 hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Today I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the story of the magi…
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John the Baptist: Opening an Advent window on the bigger picture of the Christmas story
LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool, on the second Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s year when we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
Baptism of Christ – Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River by John. Painting by David Zelenka [2005]. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Baptism…
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Let justice and peace flow - A Creationtide reflection
TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool.
The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings for this Sunday: Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20. The inspiration for the theme of the service came from an ecumenical prayer service for the Season of Creation, which included an adaptation of Psalm 85. Here…
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Surprising outcasts - Joseph and the Canaanite woman
Revd Sonia Hicks is a British Methodist minister who was elected to serve as President of the Methodist Conference from June 2021 to June 2022 – the first Black woman to hold this position.
TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a Black majority church in inner city Liverpool.
The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings…
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A face for radio
On Sunday 2nd April I spoke to Paul Beesley at BBC Radio Merseyside about my journey, from London to Liverpool, in an out of Christianity and back again, coming out as gay and Christian, and the growth of the Open Table Network from one community in Liverpool 15 years ago to more than 30 across England and Wales today.
LISTEN HERE [27 mins]
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When the stranger becomes the host - On the road to Emmaus
THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church last year hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Today I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the Gospel of the day - the road to Emmaus
Christ at Emmaus by Rembrandt (1629)
THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church last year hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Today I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the Gospel reading of the day [Luke 24.13–35 – The road to Emmaus].
My reflection was inspired by Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the unheard…
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Palm Sunday: Holy Week began with a peace protest
Palm Sunday: Holy Week began with a peace protest
TODAY is an extraordinary day – Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, the most impact-full time in the whole Gospel story.
On Palm Sunday, Christians remember Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the final days of his ministry before he died on the cross and rose to new life. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, the week before Easter, in which we are encouraged to reflect on the stories of this…
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Eating with outcasts - The Inclusive Church journey to radical welcome
TODAY in the community where I joined the Methodist Church last year, I led the morning service, as I am now training as a local preacher. Here is an extract of my reflection on what it means to be a welcoming and inclusive church.
Mementos of my first service as a trainee Methodist preacher – The sign I made for the children’s address which says ‘All Are Welcome’. The word ‘But…’ is hidden, as we reflected on how some churches say all are welcome but they don’t really mean it. Below is a copy of Singing The Faith, the hymnbook the church uses which I now have on loan, a crocheted ‘preaching scarf’ in rainbow colours and a…
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The Trouble With The Pope: On Benedict XVI's 2010 visit to Britain
The Trouble With The Pope: On Benedict XVI’s 2010 visit to Britain
POPE EMERITUS Benedict XVI died on 31st December 2022, and was buried in the Vatican this week. His legacy is long, though he resigned in 2013, the first Pope to do so for 600 years.
Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.In the same week as this article was published, Gaydio, the UK’s LGBT+ radio station approached me for a live interview. I went on air immediately after they played voxpops (soundbites of…
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I am no longer my own - The Methodist Covenant Prayer
I am no longer my own – The Methodist Covenant Prayer
AT THE START of the new year, Methodists make a distinctive resolution.
The Covenant Service, often celebrated on the first Sunday of the year, is at the heart of Methodists’ devotion, discipleship, and dedication to social justice. In the service the Church joyfully celebrates God’s offer of loving relationship.
Last January I began attending a Methodist Church, where I experienced the…
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The persistent widow - Power of prayer in action
THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church earlier this year hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons. Yesterday I was invited to offer a 5-minute reflection on the Gospel reading of the day: The persistent widow & the unjust judge.
Avenge me of mine adversary, Anonymous, Pacific Press Publishing Company (1900)
THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church earlier this year hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Yesterday I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the Gospel reading of the day:
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always…
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Sergius and Bacchus - Saints united in brother-making
Sergius and Bacchus – Saints united in brother-making
Saints Sergius & Bacchus – Modern icon by Brother Robert Lentz OFM
TODAY, 7th October, is celebrated in many Eastern and Western churches as the feast day of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, (died c. 303, Syria), who are among the earliest authenticated and most celebrated Christian martyrs.
Their story also includes one of the earliest known references to ‘Brother-Making’ in the early church. This…
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An introspective retrospective - 10 years of blogging
TEN YEARS AGO today (as I turned 42) I began this blog. I wrote a brief retrospective after five years. Here's an update on the next five:
TEN YEARS AGO today (as I turned 42) I began this blog. I wrote a brief retrospective after five years. Here’s an update on the next five:
having ‘come out of the Catholic church‘ in 2011, then authorised as a lay leader in Church of England, I have now become a Methodist thanks to its commitment to inclusion, justice, dignity and solidarity for all, especially LGBT+ people. I also contributed…
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#Christian#church#Gay community#God#LGBT#LGBT social movements#Sexual orientation#sexuality#spirituality
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LGBT+ asylum seeker podcast shares stories of faith, exclusion and inclusion
LGBT+ asylum seeker podcast shares stories of faith, exclusion and inclusion
L-R: Podcast contributor Manono from Malawi, host Britney from El Salvador, OTN Coordinator Kieran, and Sam from Malaysia, who won leave to remain in the UK with the support of an Open Table community. LISTEN HERE [45 mins].
IN THE LATEST episode of a podcast ‘for migrants by migrants’, two people with experience of seeking asylum share their stories, one who won leave to remain in the UK with…
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#Africa#Asia#asylum#asylum seeker#Christian#community#LGBT#Malawi#Malaysia#Refugee#seeking asylum#seeking refuge
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We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God - A reflection for #PrideMonth
We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God – A reflection for #PrideMonth
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPEN TABLE! OTN Coordinator Kieran Bohan and his husband Warren Hartley lead singing and blowing out candles at our first community in Liverpool
AT A SPECIAL communion service to celebrate the 14th birthday of the first Open Table community in Liverpool on Sunday 19th June 2022, I shared this reflection on Pride Month and how the origin of Open Table is linked to Liverpool’s first…
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What needs to be healed - On Franklin Graham's UK tour & support for 'conversion therapy'
What needs to be healed – On Franklin Graham’s UK tour & support for ‘conversion therapy’
Jesus At The Gay Bar by trans Christian poet Jay Hulme
AS CONTROVERSIAL US preacher Franklin Graham began his UK tour in Liverpool on Saturday 14th May, the Open Table Network worked in partnership with others in Merseyside to offer an alternative event which showcased the Liverpool City Region as a safe, friendly and welcoming place for LGBT+ people of all faiths and none.
At an LGBT+…
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