Why I love Mary

This sermon was given by the Revd Jacque Ayton from Christ Church Norris Green at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community. The reading was Luke 10:1-9For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqiaOpen Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worshipcommunities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This sermon was given by the Rt Revd Simon Robinson, Bishopof Warrington, at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community. The reading was Matthew 20:1-16For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqiaFor details of Ellen Loudon’s book referred to in the podcast visit https://www.ellenloudon.com/kindness.htmlOpen Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’sLiverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This sermon was given by our friend the Revd Br Dave Kernick, Curate of St Margaret of Antioch Toxteth, at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community.  We alsocelebrated the baptism of James Wilkes.The readings were Luke 1:46-55For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worshipcommunities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and allwho seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This reflection was given by the Revd Cate Jacobs , Associate Priest of Saint Aidan’s with All Saints Speke at the Celebrating Pride Service at Liverpool Cathedral on 26th July 2026. Liverpool Cathedral joined with the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool for a reflective service that brings us together and celebrates the vulnerability and visibility of pride. Come to celebrate that God hears us and loves us all equall.The readings were Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 & 47-51For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This sermon was given by our LGBTQIA+ Ministry Facilitator, Mr Warren Bohan, at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community. The readings were Galatians 5:1-15 and John 13:31-35.For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

“We need to learn to reach out to the other”This sermon was given at a celebration and thanksgiving communion service led by our special guest, Revd Steve Chalke MBE.  Steve is founder of Oasis Charitable Trust and Stop the Traffik and joined us at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community. Read about Open Table's 18th birthday celebration: https://bit.ly/OpenTable18Read a blog about Steve Chalke's sermon: https://bit.ly/SteveChalke0626Watch the 18th anniversary slideshow: https://youtu.be/d2D6aA0YIygThe reading was Luke 14:12-24For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worshipcommunities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This sermon was given by our good friend Fr. Gerry, at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community. The readings were Acts 1: 12-14 and John 17: 1-11.For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This sermon was given by the Revd Canon Lucy Davis, Vicar of St Andrew’s Bedford and Dean of Women’s Ministry for St Alban’s Diocese, at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our monthly Communion Service for the LGBTQIA+ community. The reading was John 4.5-29, 39-42.For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

Our Lay Minister, Mr Warren Bohan, recently shared a talk at a Church of England Deanery Synod on the topic of Gender Justice and Inclusion.This presentation explores how social inclusion and justice—particularly around gender and gender identity—are essential dimensions of Christian discipleship and pastoral care. Drawing on Scripture, theology, lived experience, and current research, it examines how sex and gender are more complex than simple binaries, highlights the realities faced by women, intersex people, and trans people, and challenges myths and misinformation that cause harm. It traces how inequality impacts human flourishing, shows how other cultures and biblical texts recognise gender diversity, and affirms the Church of England’s commitment to welcoming trans people. Ultimately, it calls Christians to create trustworthy, compassionate communities where all people—made in God’s image—can be seen, respected, and supported to flourish.Warren Bohan was born in Sydney Australia and grew up in a diverse range of churches from High Church Anglican to Charismatic Pentecostal before giving up on Christian faith in his early twenties lapsing into an angry atheism.  Eight years later he experienced a spiritual awakening which drew him back into exploring Christian faith again.  Making real a lifelong dream he travelled to the UK in 2006.  Faith deepened and then love blossomed when he met Kieran in 2007 and made Liverpool their home.  In 2012 Warren and Kieran had their Civil Partnership which was the first in the UK to be registered on religious premises before converting the partnership to marriage in 2015.  Warren works for the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool, and volunteers as the LGBTQIA+ Ministry Facilitator at St Bride’s Church Liverpool co-leading the Open Table Liverpool Community which was founded in 2008. In his spare time he’ll be found either in the garden or sitting with knitting needles in his hands.⁠To download a PDF copy of the notes from Warren's talk click here.For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠

This sermon was given by The Revd David Halliwell, Team Rector of our parish at the Open Table Liverpool community hosted by St Bride's Church Liverpool, UK for our annual Glitter Ash Wednesday Service.The reading was Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21Glitter+ Ash exquisitely captures the relationship between Ash Wednesday and Easter -- which is the relationship between death and new life. We do not live in fear of ash - of death - we place it on our foreheads for the world to see. We know that fear will rise, cramping our hearts. We also know that God specifically calls us not to project that fear onto the Other, the alien, the stranger in our midst. God insists that we look for the spark of life, of hope, in ourselves and one another. This Ash Wednesday, we will make that spark easier to see. As Christians, we will witness to the gritty, glittery, scandalous hope that exists in the very marrow of our tradition.Liz Edman, founder of the initiative says "what I was imagining with glitter + ash...the glitter from a drag queen's makeup falling to the floor, being swept up with the dust as that same drag queen walks home on darkened streets, risking life and limb by being their full self in view of others. This courage, this embrace of abjection, this determination to find joy while making queerness and beauty visible, audible -- all of this is the history and the conviction that I hoped we would smear on our foreheads for the world to see" For more about the initiative visit ⁠www.queervirtue.com/about-ga⁠For details on the Open table Liverpool community visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stbridesliverpool.org.uk/lgbtqia⁠⁠⁠⁠Open Table is a network of ecumenical Christian worship communities which offer a warm welcome to people who are: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) and all who seek an inclusive Church. The first Open Table community began at St Bride’s Liverpool in June 2008. Now Open Table communities gather across England and Wales, hosted by inclusive churches in four denominations (Anglican, United Reformed Church, Baptist, Methodist). To find out when and where you can 'come as you are' visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.opentable.lgbt⁠