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opentablelgbt.bsky.social
Open Table Network
@opentablelgbt.bsky.social
370 followers 70 following 650 posts
Partnership of #Christian communities across England & Wales welcoming & affirming #LGBTQIA people + our family & friends & anyone who wants to belong in an accepting, loving community.
www.opentable.lgbt
#ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT
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opentablelgbt.bsky.social
Day 2 of #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod with a critical 5-hour presentation & questions on the end of #LivingInLoveAndFaith (LLF) at 2pm.
We pray for a Church with the courage to act justly, where the diversity of humanity is celebrated & all find a true home of safety & belonging. 🕯️🌈
#LLF #CofE
Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Tuesday 10th February 2026. Text content: "God of justice and mercy, who calls us to speak for those denied a voice and to defend the poor and the needy: renew your Church in courage to act justly, in generosity to love mercy, and in humility to walk with you. Shape its transforming that all may find more than welcome - a home of safety and belonging - where the vulnerable are safeguarded, and the diversity of humanity is celebrated; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The prayer text is centered on a clean, light background featuring soft, abstract pastel swirls in shades of pink, yellow, and blue. In the bottom right corner is the Open Table Network logo, which depicts a circular group of eight stylized figures in rainbow colors, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple text underneath.
February 10, 2026 at 9:46 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
TODAY the #ChurchOfEngland #GeneralSynod begins, marking the end of the #LivingInLoveAndFaith process on #identity, #sexuality #relationships and #marriage. We know many #LGBTQIA+ Christians feel anxious and hurt.
We're sharing daily prayers this week for justice, hope, and healing. 🕯️🌈
#LLF #CofE
Title: Prayer for Church of England General Synod Monday 9th February 2026. Text content: "Almighty and compassionate God, who heals the broken-hearted and is near to those crushed in spirit: draw close to them in their pain; restore what has been wounded, give courage where there is fear, and plant hope where trust has been shaken. Let your justice guide the reshaping of what has failed, that dignity may be honoured and mercy and peace may take root; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Visual description: The text is set against a soft background of abstract, pastel-colored shapes. In the bottom right corner is the Open Table Network logo, which features a circle of diverse figures in rainbow colors, with the words 'OPEN TABLE' printed clearly below them.
February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
TONIGHT 7.30pm: A Eucharist as #GeneralSynod considers #LivingInLoveAndFaith - a space to bring prayer, pain, hope and longing about the place of #LGBTQIA+ people in the Church of England.
📍 St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
🌍 Join online: youtube.com/@stmartin-in-the-fields1726
Event poster titled “Reaching for the Hem.” Logos for St Martin-in-the-Fields and Together for the Church of England. Central artwork shows a woman on the ground reaching toward the hem of Jesus’ robe in a crowd. Text gives date, time, location, and livestream details.
February 9, 2026 at 9:38 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
TODAY our Open Table community in #Leyland #Lancashire celebrates #LGBThistorymonth & 4 years of meeting.
6pm Refreshments 6.30pm Communion.
OTN Director Kieran will lead a reflection on the Open Table story.
READ MORE: bit.ly/OTleyland0226
#ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT
An image promoting Open Table at St Ambrose Church, Leyland. At the top, purple text reads "Come As You Are", followed by black text stating "You're more than welcome here @ St Ambrose Church, Leyland". Below the text are two graphics: on the left, a black and white sketch of St Ambrose Church inside a rounded brown border; on the right, the Open Table logo, which features a colorful rainbow circle of stylized figures with their arms raised, above the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple and black.
February 8, 2026 at 12:01 PM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
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
Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.
February 8, 2026 at 9:01 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
CHURCH BUILDINGS can be daunting for those who've been hurt. So Grace, a queer artist, creates sacred spaces where people feel comfortable. 🏡✨
Read how Grace found 'home' and belonging in a Methodist/URC community: bit.ly/QueerFaithArt #LGBThistorymonth #LGBTHN #LGBTHM26
A person with long hair tied in a bun, wearing a black t-shirt and trousers, sits on a small yellow velvet stool in an art studio. They are holding a light-colored pet rat on their hand while looking at the camera. The white wall behind them is decorated with various sketches and drawings, including depictions of crosses and horses.
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
WHY DOES LGBT+ History Month matter?
Because it reminds us we are safe, accepted, and valued.🏳️‍🌈
Read Sam Stone's reflection on history, personal faith, and the United Reformed Church’s path to inclusion: urc5.org.uk/news-item/jpic-highlight-lgbtq-history-month
#LGBThistorymonth #LGBTHM #LGBTHM26 #URC
A rainbow Pride flag fluttering on a flagpole against a sunny blue sky.
February 6, 2026 at 9:15 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
THIS SUNDAY our Open Table community in #Leyland #Lancashire celebrates #LGBThistorymonth & 4 years of meeting.
6pm Refreshments 6.30pm Communion.
OTN Director Kieran will lead a reflection on the Open Table story.
READ MORE: bit.ly/OTleyland0226
#ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT
An image promoting Open Table at St Ambrose Church, Leyland. At the top, purple text reads "Come As You Are", followed by black text stating "You're more than welcome here @ St Ambrose Church, Leyland". Below the text are two graphics: on the left, a black and white sketch of St Ambrose Church inside a rounded brown border; on the right, the Open Table logo, which features a colorful rainbow circle of stylized figures with their arms raised, above the words 'OPEN TABLE' in purple and black.
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
THANK YOU to the Methodist Church in Britain for sharing this prayer for #LGBThistorymonth
#LGBTHM #LGBTHM26
A graphic with a maroon, orange, and teal geometric background featuring the Methodist Church logo (a cross within a white circle) in the top right. The central text is a prayer that reads: "Loving God, Show us the way to make our worship spaces and congregations welcoming to all who seek your face. Cause us to lift the barriers which prevent us from being welcoming. Change the hearts of those who do not welcome difference and who are reluctant to embrace the full gospel of Christ. All are welcome. We are one body. One Church. Amen."
February 4, 2026 at 9:50 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
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
Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.
February 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
'GOD WANTS US to thrive and to shine and to rejoice in the way God has made us, not to live in fear or self-loathing as so many of us do.' - Cherry Vann, now Archbishop of Wales.
WATCH our webinar with OTN Patron Cherry when she was Bishop of Monmouth in January 2021: youtu.be/M8FxFbsSXa8 [54mins]
A portrait of Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales. She has short grey hair and is wearing clerical clothing with a purple shirt and collar, standing inside a church. Text on the right reads: “Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth, Church in Wales,” alongside the Open Table logo.
January 31, 2026 at 12:32 PM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
FEBRUARY is #LGBThistorymonth in the UK - This year's theme is 'Science & Innovation'.
READ MORE: lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2026
How will you celebrate and commemorate #LGBThistory?
A promotional graphic for LGBT+ History Month 2026, themed "SCIENCE AND INNOVATION." The text is written in large, diagonal red letters across a light blue circular background. The top left corner features the LGBT+ History Month logo and "Founded by: SCHOOLS OUT." In the bottom right, an illustration of a conical science flask shows a vibrant rainbow-colored splash bursting from the top, with the year 2026 printed on the base of the flask.
January 30, 2026 at 9:58 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
OUT NOW: Our January e-news with a new #ThisIsMyStory podcast, a #NewYear reflection, and news from our growing network including a community launch and two birthday celebrations. READ MORE: bit.ly/OTNenews0126
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, yellow and pink, creating a lively, layered design.
January 29, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Open Table Network
urc.org.uk
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January is 'Bridging Generations', highlighting “the crucial role of the next generation in preserving the memory of the Holocaust”. More at https://hmd.org.uk.

Image: Yad Vashem Memorial, Jerusalem, by snowscat | Unsplash
January 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
TODAY is #HolocaustMemorialDay
In 2021 we recorded a commemoration remembering the Holocaust, plus genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia & Darfur & present-day oppression & #HateCrime: youtu.be/MldEW4tAWf0 [40mins inc. #BSL] #HMD #HMD26
Holocaust Memorial Day logo featuring a stylized purple flame above the text "HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 27/1"
January 27, 2026 at 9:01 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
27th January is #HolocaustMemorialDay
ln 1995 #gay survivors of the #Holocaust issued a declaration demanding recognition of their #persecution, as part of a project of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. This is what they wrote: bit.ly/GayHolocaustSurvivors #HMD #HMD2026
Close-up of a historical document showing two labels in German, “Homosexuell” and “Asozial,” each above a downward-pointing triangle symbol. The triangle under “Homosexuell” is pink; the triangle under “Asozial” is black. The image references Nazi classification badges used to identify and stigmatise people in concentration camps.
January 26, 2026 at 9:35 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
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 #Unity #WeekOfPrayerForChristianUnity #wpcu26
Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.
January 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
📢 AS BROAD AS IT'S LONG: Our network of welcome, belonging & affirmation is growing! From Pembrokeshire to Kent, Tyne & Wear to Dorset, Open Table communities now span 300+ miles from east to west, north to south across the UK: bit.ly/AsBroadAsItsLong 🌈 #WeekOfPrayerForChristianUnity #wpcu26
A map of England and Wales showing the locations of Open Table communities marked with small rainbow icons. A bold purple cross overlays the map, with arrows pointing north–south and east–west, highlighting the geographic spread of the network across the UK.
January 24, 2026 at 9:01 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
'GOD WANTS and loves me as I am, and had never called me to an impossible task.'
Kai from Open Table Salford reflects on God’s unconditional love and recognition, belonging and redemption, in our #ThisIsMyStory podcast. READ/LISTEN: bit.ly/otnCalledByName
A low-angle view looking directly up at a spiral ceiling featuring vibrant stained-glass windows. The rectangular window panes wind inward in a tight spiral toward a central, glowing circular light fixture. The glass panels are filled with a colorful mosaic of deep blues, reds, yellows, and greens, creating a brilliant contrast against the dark, shadowy structure of the ceiling.
January 23, 2026 at 9:00 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
'GREEN PASTURES are before me which yet I have not seen'
In this moving reflection, Katie shares how a hymn lyric met her in a moment of pain - and gently opened a path toward hope: 👉 bit.ly/GreenPastures26 #FaithfullyLGBT
A woman walks along a narrow path through green fields towards golden sunlight breaking over distant hills. The scene is calm and hopeful, with soft mist, wildflowers, and birds in the sky.
January 22, 2026 at 9:55 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
IT'S the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Jesus prayed for all who believe in him: 'May they all be one' [John 17:21].
We thank God he didn't say 'one and the same'!
We're called to #unity not #uniformity, so we celebrate our #diversity.
READ MORE: cte.org.uk/wpcu2026
#OneBodyOneSpirit #WPCU26
A logo for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Six stylised human figures in different bright colours stand holding hands in a circle above a green arc. Below them, the text reads: “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”. An official poster for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026. The image features an orange border and a central photograph of three lit candles held by individuals in ornate, traditional vestments. Two candles are being tilted toward a central upright candle to share their flames. The top of the poster includes a decorative band of small crosses and the heading "WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2026". Superimposed over the photo in large, serif font is the theme: “One Body, One Spirit”.
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
TODAY our communities in Birmingham, Cambridge, Kendal, Lincoln, Liverpool, London - West Hampstead & Salford are gathering. FFI: opentable.lgbt/our-communities
#ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT #RoomAtTheTable
Google Maps image of England and Wales with an Open Table logo marking the locations of our communities.
January 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
GRATEFUL for our brilliant trustees, who gathered online this morning to guide and support OTN’s work with their time, wisdom and care. 💜
We’ll soon be recruiting new trustees to join the board at our AGM on 25th April - Watch this space!
MEET OUR TEAM: opentable.lgbt/meet-our-team
January 17, 2026 at 1:01 PM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
TODAY our trustees meet online to set our priorities for 2026.
We're seeing extraordinary growth, with 39 communities & many more seeking to join.
#PleasePray that we may give #GloryToGod who 'can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine' #FaithfullyLGBT #MoreThanWelcome
An inspirational graphic featuring the Open Table logo, a circular arrangement of colorful, translucent human figures with raised arms in the background. In the center, purple and black text displays a prayer and a biblical verse: "Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. - Ephesians 3:20. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, among us, in Jesus' name. Amen."
January 17, 2026 at 9:01 AM
opentablelgbt.bsky.social
Jesus of Nazareth,
Strangers came to you
because, with you,
they hoped that they'd be seen
for who they were
not for what the seers saw.
May we who are strangers see each other,
because we, like you,
need to be seen to be believed.
Amen
- Pádraig Ó Tuama
A book cover titled "DAILY PRAYER With the Corrymeela Community." The background is a vibrant, impressionistic landscape painting composed of horizontal layers of color: a sky-blue top, dark blue mountains, a bright lime-green band, and a foreground of pink, purple, and deep red. A stylized cliff face, resembling Fair Head in Northern Ireland, is visible in the lower half. The main title is in a white, Celtic-style font, and the subtitle is in a smaller white italicized font.
January 11, 2026 at 11:11 AM