Open Table Network

Open Table Network (OTN) is an ecumenical Christian community for LGBT people and their allies.

In 2008, Open Table was founded at St Bride's Church, Liverpool; by 2019, the network consists 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 Anglicanism, "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 is a Fresh expression hosted by the Team Parish of St Luke in the City, Liverpool, which is served by the churches of St Bride, St Dunstan, and St Michael in the City.[6][7][8] Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Team Rector at St Luke in the City, advocates offering control of church organisations to marginalised groups, such as LGBTQIA+ Christians; she describes Open Table as an "electrifying" example of this idea working successfully in practice.[9]

According to Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, Open Table in 2019 is "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.[10][1] The campaign started by Open Table and promoted by the Liverpool Echo gathered more than 5000 signatures to an online petition.[11]

Kieran Bohan is coordinator of the Open Table Network.[10][12] He broadcast a reflection on Open Table as part of a BBC Radio 4 service led by Rachel Mann in September 2020.[13]

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.[12]

References
  1. 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. Davies, Madeleine (1 February 2019). "A bigger table: an interview with the Bishop of Liverpool". Church Times. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  3. Ozanne, Jayne, ed. (2016). Journeys in Grace and Truth: Revisiting Scripture and Sexuality. Ekklesia. ISBN 978-0993294242.
  4. 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. "Parish Profile: The Team Parish of St Luke In The City, Liverpool" (PDF). Diocese of Liverpool. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  7. "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.
  8. "The Team Parish of St Luke in the City Liverpool". Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  9. Threlfall-Holmes, Miranda (11 January 2019). "Evangelism isn't just for the Evangelicals". Church Times. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  10. Pidd, Helen (23 December 2019). "Home Office gives man asylum after accepting people can be gay and single". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  11. 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.
  12. "A CHAT WITH: KIERAN BOHAN, OPEN TABLE NETWORK COORDINATOR". LCR Pride Foundation. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  13. "Sunday Worship (27 September 2020)". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
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