Nourished in body and soul in a space of sanctuary
Members of the Open Table community and friends at West Lane Baptist Centre in Haworth who came together to reflect on how the Bible can hold a message of love and hope for LGBTQIA+ Christians. Bishop of Bradford Right Revd Toby Howarth (right) joined and celebrated communion to close the day.
LAST MONTH, the Open Table Bradford community hosted an away day in Haworth called ‘From texts of terror to passages of peace’, in which Walter Moberley, emeritus Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Durham University, addressed challenges that people face about ‘what the Bible says…’ about LGBT+ people.
“The theme of the day gave us much to think about in terms of how we process our ideas about certain Bible passages. Walter also highlighted unexpected places where we might think differently about questions around relationships, such as the Song of Songs, where love between two people is seen as an end in itself rather than linked to marriage, family or children.”
Dr Diana Tremayne, a member of the Church of England’s governing body General Synod, shares how this day helped her prepare for this month’s extraordinary meeting in London to debate blessings of same-gender relationships.
As I headed Haworth on a beautiful autumn day for the Open Table Bradford away day, my mood was less than positive and I had wondered if I should go.
As a member of General Synod, I had been processing the papers which had just come out about the November meeting, and feeling quite despondent about the Prayers of Love and Faith proposed by the House of Bishops at Synod in February 2023.
However, finding a warm welcome, supportive people, plus good food and drink really did make a difference! We were also fortunate to have as an inspiring speaker Professor Walter Moberly, who contributed an essay on the Biblical concept of blessing to the Theology Working Group of the Church of England’s Living In Love and Faith process on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
The theme of the day gave us much to think about in terms of how we process our ideas about certain Bible passages. Walter also highlighted unexpected places where we might think differently about questions around relationships, such as the Song of Songs, where love between two people is seen as an end in itself rather than linked to marriage, family or children.
The venue at West Lane Baptist Centre was warm and comfortable, and we enjoyed a delicious bring-and-share lunch. The day ended with an Open Table communion led by the Bishop of Bradford, Right Revd Toby Howarth, who has become an ally of the Open Table Network. He also preached at an Open Table service at General Synod in York in July.
