Open Table Network

Two men smiling at the camera. The man on the left is shorter, with a bald head and a wide smile. He is in his sixties, from Malaysia. He wears a patterned blue button-down shirt with blue bracess that have the Union Jack printed on them, a rainbow lanyard, and a rainbow-patterned pin. He is giving a thumbs-up with one hand. The man on the right, the Bishop of Bradford, is taller, with short brown hair and glasses. He wears a black blazer over a red clerical shirt with a white clerical collar and a large ornate silver cross pendant. He has his arm around the other man's shoulder. In the background, there is a pink fabric draped across the ceiling, with colorful bunting and blue balloons hanging from it. People can be seen in the background on either side of the two men.

7 YEARS AGO we hosted Stories Around An Open Table on reconciling gender identity, sexuality & faith. Bishop of Bradford Toby Howarth, on the CofE's #LivingInLoveAndFaith team, gave a blessing barefoot, saying he was standing on holy ground: bit.ly/TellServeGive2019 #LLF

Fixed it now.

A collage of nine portraits of women involved in Open Table’s leadership. Text below reads: 'We give thanks for these inspiring women in our leadership - our trustees, team members & patrons.' The Open Table logo appears alongside hashtags for International Women’s Day.

ON #InternationalWomensDay we give thanks for the inspiring women in leadership across the Open Table Network, as trustees, team members, patrons, ministers, community leaders and volunteers in the past year.
#IWD26 #RightsJusticeAction
un.org/en/observances/womens-day

Thank you for this helpful clarification.

Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.

TODAY Open Table communities meet in:
Bath, Canterbury, Chester, Colchester, Fareham, Haverfordwest, Horsham, Leyland, London: Bromley, Wanstead & Waterloo, Sefton, Taunton, Warrington, Widnes & Wirral: New Brighton.
FFI: opentable.lgbt/our-communities
#FaithfullyLGBT #InclusiveChurch #ComeAsYouAre

A modern icon of Saints Perpetua and Felicity by Brother Robert Lentz - Perpetua and Felicity are depicted in a close embrace against a gold background. Perpetua on the left wears a dark red hooded veil. Felicity on the right is dressed in a white hooded veil. Their heads are encircled by a single, large golden halo in the shape of a heart. Stylized lettering appears on either side of the figures, and the text 'STS. PERPETUA and FELICITY' is centered at the bottom.

TODAY, 7th March, is the feast of Saints Perpetua & Felicity who were arrested & imprisoned together, and kissed each other before they were both put to death in 203 CE. Perpetua kept a journal, the first known writing by a woman in Christian history: bit.ly/QSPerpetuaFelicity

How to apply: If you’re ready to help us build communities that are genuinely accepting and loving for all, we’d love to chat.
Email Kieran Bohan (Director): network@opentable.lgbt or Carol Joyner (Co-Chair): carol@opentable.lgbt to learn more or express your interest by Tuesday 24th March.

We are particularly keen to hear from:
• Diverse voices: People of all ages, ethnicities, gender identities and sexual orientations.
• Financial leaders: People with experience in charity financial management and fundraising.

Above all:
We aren't just looking for decorative board members - we are looking for committed, resilient, and fully inclusive individuals who want to play a dynamic role in shaping the future of our national charity as we enter or sixth year.

Promotional graphic for Open Table Network trustee recruitment. Diverse group gathered around a table with the Open Table logo, Liverpool skyline behind, and text inviting inclusive leaders to help shape the future of the UK’s LGBTQIA+ Christian network.

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐𝐈𝐀+ 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤! ⁣
Open Table Network is on a mission to ensure every LGBTQIA+ person of faith has a seat at the table. As we continue to grow across the UK we're seeking new trustees to join our board at our AGM in London on April 25th.⁣

A group of nine people stand behind a long table covered in various baked goods, including a cake with vibrant rainbow-colored layers. A Progress Pride flag hangs on the wall in the background, alongside banners for the 'Forward Project' and 'Dignity and Worth'.

'INCLUSION isn't an optional extra, rather part of our Christian calling to love, welcome and value people as they are.'
Layton Methodist Church, Blackpool, is creating a space where everyone truly belongs. Read their inspiring story: methodist.org.uk/about/our-stories/a-welcome-for-all-in-blackpool

Two women sit behind a table representing Pennycross Methodist Church. Behind them, a display board features the church's name and the phrase 'LOVE IS LOVE' in large, colorful letters. The table is decorated with rainbow Pride flags, paper hearts, and a banner that reads, 'EVERYONE IS WELCOME.'

'COMING OUT didn't explain me - it freed me.' 🏳️‍🌈
Pennycross Church, Plymouth, is on a journey of radical inclusivity, ensuring all are celebrated as their true selves. Read this inspiring story of faith and pride: methodist.org.uk/about/our-stories/a-journey-of-inclusivity-at-pennycross-church

An illustrated image in a cozy, book-filled room, showing a diverse group of six people of varied ages and ethnicities sitting and sharing tea around a circular wooden table. The group includes an older man with a grey beard and glasses, another elder man with glasses, a woman with braided hair who is seated in a wheelchair, a friend placing a supportive hand on the wheelchair user's shoulder, a young man taking notes in a spiral notepad, and another woman listening. The text content at the top of the image reads: "“Shame dies when stories are told in safe places.” - Ann Voskamp". In the centre of the table is the Open Table logo, a glowing, multi-colored circular design of interconnected stylized human figures. Rainbow-coloured light streams through the room, creating a rainbow spectrum pattern on the walls and table from a window showing a sunset. The background bookshelf holds numerous colourful books, some with titles like 'OUR HISTORY'.

'SHAME DIES when stories are told in safe places.' - Ann Voskamp
#LGBThistorymonth has ended, but the need for us to share our stories continues.
Here are just a few of the stories of Open Table community members: opentable.lgbt/personal-stories
Contact us if you'd like to share yours.

Open Table logo in Welsh

‘Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.’ - St David.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus - Happy #StDavidsDay to our Welsh Open Table communities in Cardiff and Haverfordwest. Thanks to you we have a Welsh logo! #BwrddAgored #TyrdFelYrWyt

A photo of Bishop Toby Howarth, with glasses, smiling, dressed in Anglican clerical clothing including a red shirt with a white clerical collar and a navy blue blazer. He is wearing a colorful, hand-painted wooden cross pendant and a small 'B' lapel pin. He is standing outdoors in front of a stone church building with arched windows.

A promotional graphic with logos and text. In the top left, purple and black text reads, "Come As You Are: You're more than welcome here." To the right is the Open Table logo, featuring a circle of diverse, colorful figures holding hands. Below this, the text "@ Equity Centre, Bradford" appears above a vibrant, multi-colored vertical stripe bar. At the bottom, the words 'EQUITYPARTNERSHIP' are written in bold black capital letters.

🌈 TODAY 6--8pm: Celebrate with our Open Table Bradford community marking their 3rd birthday with a special Eucharist led by the Bishop of Leeds. You're #MoreThanWelcome to #ComeAsYouAre in fellowship, reflection & joy! 💒✨bit.ly/OTbradford0326

Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.

TODAY our communities in Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Liverpool, London - Bow & Bethnal Green, Reading, Runcorn, and Weymouth gather.
FFI: opentable.lgbt/our-communities
#ComeAsYouAre #FaithfullyLGBT #MoreThanWelcome #PlaceToBelong #RoomAtTheTable

A welcoming graphic reading “Come As You Are – You’re more than welcome here” at St John’s United Reformed Church, Warrington. The image includes the St John’s church logo featuring a colourful tree with a cross, alongside the Open Table logo showing multicoloured figures in a circle.

TODAY 2-4pm: Our Open Table Warrington community is preparing to relaunch in May with new leaders. Join us as we reflect on the kind of experience we want to continue to create, so everyone feels welcome, included, affirmed, and empowered in this community: bit.ly/OTwarrington0226

Two smiling adults standing outdoors in front of greenery at a Pride event. Stephen has a white beard and rainbow face paint across his forehead and cheek, and is wearing a rainbow stole. His wife Denise wears sunglasses and a purple T-shirt reading 'Christians at Pride' in white writing inside a white heart shape, with rainbow face paint on her cheek. They have their arms around each other and appear joyful.

'THE TRUTH will set you free.' 🕊️
In our latest blog Stephen, a retired Methodist minister shares his moving journey from theological opposition to finding a spiritual home at Open Table Chester. A story of 'widening embrace', honesty, and the power of inclusive love.
READ MORE: bit.ly/StephenChester

An abstract illustration of overlapping, brightly coloured envelopes scattered across the image. Each envelope is labelled 'newsletter' in handwritten-style text, suggesting email communications, updates, or mailing lists. The colours include green, purple, blue, orange, yellow and pink, creating a lively, layered design.

OUT NOW: Our February e-news with an #LGBThistorymonth story from the #MethodistChurch, responses to the end of the #CofE #LivingInLoveAndFaith process, a trans priest on tour, and news from our network including a relaunch, a birthday celebration & a consultation. READ MORE: bit.ly/OTNenews0226

A photo of Bishop Toby Howarth, with glasses, smiling, dressed in Anglican clerical clothing including a red shirt with a white clerical collar and a navy blue blazer. He is wearing a colorful, hand-painted wooden cross pendant and a small 'B' lapel pin. He is standing outdoors in front of a stone church building with arched windows.

A promotional graphic with logos and text. In the top left, purple and black text reads, "Come As You Are: You're more than welcome here." To the right is the Open Table logo, featuring a circle of diverse, colorful figures holding hands. Below this, the text "@ Equity Centre, Bradford" appears above a vibrant, multi-colored vertical stripe bar. At the bottom, the words 'EQUITYPARTNERSHIP' are written in bold black capital letters.

🌈 THIS SUNDAY 6--8pm: Celebrate with our Open Table Bradford community marking their 3rd birthday with a special Eucharist led by the Bishop of Leeds. You're #MoreThanWelcome to #ComeAsYouAre in fellowship, reflection & joy! 💒✨ bit.ly/OTbradford0326

A welcoming graphic reading “Come As You Are – You’re more than welcome here” at St John’s United Reformed Church, Warrington. The image includes the St John’s church logo featuring a colourful tree with a cross, alongside the Open Table logo showing multicoloured figures in a circle.

THIS SATURDAY 28th Feb 2-4pm: Our Open Table Warrington community is preparing to relaunch in May with new leaders. Join us as we reflect on the kind of experience we want to continue to create, so everyone feels welcome, included, affirmed, and empowered in this community: bit.ly/OTwarrington0226

Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.

TODAY our communities in Nantwich, Nottingham, Wigan and Wirral - Heswall gather.
Check out our communities page for details: opentable.lgbt/our-communities
#ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #PlaceToBelong #RoomAtTheTable #Christian #Church

FOR #LGBThistorymonth this year, the Methodist Church's theme is #AllAreWelcome. Discover how the #Methodist church which hosts the Open Table Chester community moved from the ‘pain of growth’ to becoming 'a lighthouse for those seeking sanctuary'. 👉 bit.ly/OTchester0226 #LGBTHM #LGBTHM26

An outdoor photograph shows a group of people at a Pride event in Margate, standing on a grassy field under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, two women hold a large white hand-painted banner that reads "UNION CHURCH ❤️s TRANSCENDENCE." The woman on the left wears a dark top and a bright pink patterned skirt, while the woman on the right wears a rainbow-striped tank top and dark shorts. In the background, other attendees are visible, including some wearing colorful clothing and pride accessories. An ice cream truck and coastal buildings are also visible behind the group.

'AT THE HEART of it, God is love.' ❤️
Union Church, a #Methodist / #URC partnership in Margate, shows how faith and inclusion go together. From welcoming #LGBTQ+ people to hosting art trails (even a visit from Madonna!) they’ve become a creative hub for all. 🏳️‍🌈✨
👉 bit.ly/UnionMargate #LGBTHM #LGBTHM26

A purple graphic with large text reading “LENT” and curved text underneath saying “in 3 minutes”. The design is simple and minimal, suggesting a short Lent reflection or resource.

TODAY is #AshWednesday, the first day of #Lent in preparation for #Easter.
If you're puzzled by or curious about what these hashtags mean for many Christians, try watching 'Lent in 3 minutes' by Catholic media ministry #BustedHalo youtu.be/Xo1mjuy1NA0

An image with a purple background featuring the text "RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS" in glowing white capital letters. Below the title are six colorful sticky notes arranged in two rows of three, each containing a suggestion for a kind gesture: Top Row: "give a compliment" (yellow), "share with loved ones" (light purple), and "volunteer in your community" (beige). Bottom Row: "ask how someone's doing" (cream), "say thank you" (pink), and "donate or fundraise" (yellow). The corners of the image are decorated with abstract white line patterns and dots.

TODAY is #RandomActsOfKindnessDay - a campaign to #MakeKindnessTheNorm
randomactsofkindness.org
Here are four simple ways you can help us share #kindness through our growing network of communities: opentable.lgbt/support-us
#RAKWeek #RAKWeek2026

Revd Sarah Jones, wearing a black clerical shirt and collar, smiles while holding a large red sign. The sign features the text "COME OUT FOR TRANS EQUALITY" in bold white and black lettering, along with the Stonewall logo and a website address. She is standing in an indoor space with a large window and event banners visible in the background.

'BEING TRANS is just one part of a person’s identity.'
Read OTN Co-Chair Carol Joyner's review of the #EverydayNormal tour by Revd Sarah Jones, the first person ordained in the #ChurchOfEngland following gender transition.🏳️‍⚧️
🗓️ Bring this powerful story to your community
🔗 bit.ly/EverydayNormalTour

'The #LivingInLoveAndFaith process has been "concluded" but the work for justice has not.'
Nic Tall, National Co-ordinator of Together for the Church of England, reflects on a bruising #GeneralSynod and moving from lament to action:
🔗 viamedia.news/2026/02/13/leaving-in-love-and-faith

Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.

TODAY our communities in Birmingham, Cambridge, Kendal, Lincoln, Liverpool, London - West Hampstead & Salford are gathering. FFI: opentable.lgbt/our-communities
#ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT #PlaceToBelong RoomAtTheTable