WHAT DIFFERENCE does an Open Table community make? 👀 Our new short film, 'Find your place at the table', hears from people across our network about safety, belonging and the freedom to be themselves - and what would be missing if Open Table didn't exist. WATCH: youtu.be/FYup3DjhG5Q [5 mins]

Find your place at the table

YouTube video by Open Table Network

youtu.be

THIS SATURDAY 22nd August 2-4pm: Open consultation in #Margate #Kent to explore the need for an Open Table community there, and what kind of experience they want to create. You're #MoreThanWelcome to join us: bit.ly/OTconsultMargate #ComeAsYouAre #FaithfullyLGBT

'WILL IT BE Open Table?' 👀 As we prepare to publish our new short film, take a look back at where it began. In 2017, we made our first short film at the original Open Table community in Liverpool. In just three minutes, it still captures what makes Open Table special: youtu.be/Y7L398VU1ck

COMING SOON... 🎬 Later this week, we're sharing our new film celebrating the power of safer, sacred spaces for LGBTQIA+ people of faith. GET READY to watch, share, and help us extend this table even further! 🌈✨ #SaveOTN #ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #PlaceToBelong #RoomAtTheTable

TODAY 16th August 2-4pm: Open consultation in #Scunthorpe #Lincolnshire to explore the need for an Open Table community there, and what kind of experience they want to create. You're #MoreThanWelcome to join us: bit.ly/OTconsultScunthorpe #ComeAsYouAre #FaithfullyLGBT

TODAY our communities in Birmingham, Cambridge, Kendal, Lincoln, Liverpool, London - West Hampstead & Salford are gathering. PLUS A special #Pride celebration in Chester. FFI: opentable.lgbt/our-communities #ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT

PRIDE is about celebration, visibility and belonging - but it is also about resisting prejudice. 🏳️‍🌈 The Methodist Church has shared three powerful reflections on why Pride still matters, and why churches have a vital role in saying #AllAreWelcome bit.ly/MethodistPride26 #MoreThanWelcome

LAST YEAR, someone tore down #Pride bunting at Wesley Church Centre, Chester. This year, Kate transformed those tattered shreds into a beautiful reminder of resilience and hope. As #ChesterPride returns, we remember: God’s multicoloured love cannot be destroyed. 🏳️‍🌈 READ MORE: bit.ly/ChesterPride25

CONGRATULATIONS to Revd Andrew Howorth, former OTN Co-Chair, on his new role as LGBTQIA+ Chaplain for the Diocese of Leeds. Andrew will offer welcome and pastoral care for LGBTQIA+ people across the diocese in addition to hosting Open Table in Bradford. READ MORE: bit.ly/LeedsLGBTchaplaincy0826

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝗿 #𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆… 👀 Last month we launched our appeal to #SaveOTN. The response has been fantastic - and in less than six weeks, you've helped us raise almost £12,500 towards our £16,000 target! [1/4]

THIS SUNDAY 16th August 2-4pm: Open consultation in #Scunthorpe #Lincolnshire to explore the need for an Open Table community there, and what kind of experience they want to create. You're #MoreThanWelcome to join us: bit.ly/OTconsultScunthorpe #ComeAsYouAre #FaithfullyLGBT

'CONVERSION THERAPY' causes real and lasting harm. Open Table supporters Gail and Augustine have bravely shares their experiences, helping expose that harm and why LGBTQIA+ people deserve to be affirmed, not changed. READ MORE: bit.ly/ConversionPractices0826

TODAY Open Table communities meet in: Colchester, Fareham, Haverfordwest, Horsham, Leyland, London: Bromley, Wanstead & Waterloo, Sefton, Sunderland, Widnes & Wirral: New Brighton. FFI opentable.lgbt/our-communities #ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome

TODAY the #EHRC's Code of Practice on single-sex services comes into force, with significant implications for #trans, #nonbinary and #intersex people. For churches seeking practical, trans-affirming guidance, Transfigured Mission's FAQ is an invaluable resource: transfiguredmission.uk/ehrc-code

OUT OF OFFICE: Kieran our Director will be back in the office on Wednesday 12th August and will respond to any correspondence ASAP. For queries about our #Crowdfunder campaign, please email OTN's Funding & Governance Advisor Sarah Jones: sarah@goodthinkingjones.com

ON THIS DAY in 2016 we celebrated the launch of Journeys in Grace and Truth, which shared the Open Table origin story. 10 years later, we're grateful for every community we've supported, every person who's found welcome, and everyone who's been part of the journey. 💜 READ MORE: bit.ly/OTstory2016

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

'YOU ARE NOT an error in God's creation, and you are never beyond the embrace of Christ.' ❤️ Last Sunday Revd Cate Jacobs shared this moving reflection at Liverpool's Pride service on the parable of the net and the boundless love of God. READ/LISTEN HERE: bit.ly/LivCathedralPride26 🌈

94% of Open Table members say our communities have improved their wellbeing. ❤️ Our new Research & Case for Support explains why: bit.ly/OTNResearch2026 Thanks to your incredible generosity, we've reached 40% of our #Crowdfunder target. Read, give and share: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/saveotn #SaveOTN

TODAY, on the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, we give thanks for the Jesuits in Britain, who have welcomed #LGBTQ+ #Christians on #retreat since 1991. Join us this October at St Beuno's in North Wales: bit.ly/StBeunosLGBTQ26 #BlessedToBelong #FaithfullyLGBT #LGBTchristian

'THANK YOU to Open Table for offering a haven in my storm.' Our new independent research shows the life-changing impact of Open Table communities across England & Wales. Read more: bit.ly/OTNResearch2026 #FaithfullyLGBT #LGBT #Christian

WE'RE READY to welcome folk to Liverpool Cathedral for the annual #Pride service at 6.30pm. #ComeAsYouAre - you are #MoreThanWelcome

TONIGHT 6.30pm: Liverpool's annual Pride Service in the Lady Chapel at Liverpool Cathedral. A reflective service of welcome, prayer, music celebrating the joy, vulnerability and visibility of Pride. Everyone is #MoreThanWelcome. ❤️ FFI: liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/events/pride-service #ComeAsYouAre 🌈

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

At #LiverpoolPride? Look out for our stall and #PrideWithoutBorders map and photo exhibition at Liverpool Experience Campus, Keel Wharf.

THIS WEEKEND: #Liverpool is home of the Open Table Network, and 1/6 of our communities are on #Merseyside, so we make the most of Liverpool’s #Pride to share that there are communities which genuinely welcome & affirm #LGBTQIA+ people. Why not show #solidarity and join us? bit.ly/LiverpoolsPride26

'GOD'S LOVE is for everyone.' ❤️ Ahead of Liverpool's Pride service this Sunday, the Bishop of Warrington shares why #Pride matters, reflects on inclusion in the Church, and invites everyone to join us at the Cathedral: bit.ly/BpWarringtonPride26 #ChristiansAtPride #MoreThanWelcome #ComeAsYouAre

OUT NOW! Our latest e-news with a hopeful #Crowdfunder update, a blog on the power of belonging, Christians At #Pride, chances to shape new Open Table communities, an #LGBT+ #retreat & how to get your Open Table t-shirt. READ MORE: bit.ly/OTNenews220726 #ComeAsYouAre #MoreThanWelcome #FaithfullyLGBT

PENNIES, PRAYERS & SHARES: We’re a quarter of the way there! 🌟 Whether you’ve been able to contribute pennies, prayers, or shares - every single bit of support shows that our work is deeply needed and valued. While we are making great progress, it’s vital that we keep up the momentum [1/5]

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