Categories: uncategorized
Date: 04 October 2009 08:42:18
Hopped on a train to Birmingham yesterday to go to a lunchtime gathering of 37 Christians from differnent denominations, (and sometimes no denomination), I knew off the internet, the majority of whom were aged around 25-45. We hung out, did lunch, went to a church for a period of silent prayer, and then popped into a local cafe bar for coffee/ wine/ larger (delete according to your tastes). The gathering was wonderful, it's good to be able to see friends you see all too infrequently because you are dispersed across the country - even if it is for a few hours. It's also great to be able to join together to both eat and pray together.
The general rules of checking who does / doesn't mind having their photo taken become even more important at gatherings like yesterdays. It was a GCN gathering. For those who aren't aware GCN is a bit different to many other Christian LGB groups. It's not involved in fighting the corner or trying to represent LGBT Christians in any denomination / type of denomination / or the church generally. Rather it is a support network for LGBT Christians and their family and friends. This means when we meet together we do just chill and chat and support each other, and seek to provide a time when people can stop and pray. This becomes important when you are talking about a group of people who contain some people who are currently not in a church because their previous experience or who can't find one in their area where they feel safe.
For those of us who have a really positive experience it is also important aswell though. These gatherings are somewhere where we can totally be ourselves and feel average. One thing I really value when I meet online friends from where ever is being an average age. Too often in church situations I find myself being either one of /if not the youngest or oldest....and kind of being an odd age which very few other people seem to be.
For a bit of humour and something to think about the GCN Musical is worth a watch
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE9Zj7pkP24&feature=PlayList&p=FEA668BB4B97AAAC&index=0&playnext=1[/youtube]