United Reformed Church Grants £50,000 to Support LGBTQIA+ Charity Open Table Network

The United Reformed Church (URC) Finance Committee has approved a £50,000 grant from the Legacy Fund to support the Open Table Network (OTN). The funding, to be provided over three years, is overseen by the committee and supported by the Mission Committee. This financial assistance aims to strengthen the network’s mission of creating inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals within Christian communities.

The Open Table Network is a growing partnership of communities across England and Wales that welcomes and affirms people who identify as LGBTQIA+. It began as a small group of LGBTQ+ individuals meeting in an Anglican church in Liverpool in 2008. Over time, it expanded into a network of 33 regularly meeting groups. The grant is intended to help the network grow more communities in underserved areas and establish safe, sacred spaces where everyone can experience God’s love.

Revd Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission) of the URC, noted that the Mission Committee was impressed with the Open Table Network’s application. He expressed gratitude for the financial support from the Legacy Fund and looked forward to working with LGBT+ Christian friends to develop their partnership.

Open Table communities provide a space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to worship and grow in faith. Gail Yorke, a community leader at St John’s URC in Warrington, highlighted how hosting Open Table has connected people not part of a church community. This has allowed individuals to participate in communion and meet like-minded Christians in a welcoming environment.

In Birmingham, a new Open Table community began at Wylde Green URC in January 2022. The Revd Chris Dowd, minister of the church, noted the significant benefit to the congregation, many of whom have LGBTQ+ family members. Open Table has provided a message of acceptance and celebration, offering healing to grandparents, parents, siblings, and children of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Chris emphasized that Open Table already has a trusted reputation that would take a church many years to build. This partnership allows churches to start years ahead in fostering inclusive communities. The URC Mission Committee continues to seek opportunities to develop spaces where people can build authentic communities and explore their faith.

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