Categories: spiritual-journey, sexuality
Date: 24 November 2012 21:29:10
The two:23 network was formally launched today with a gathering/ service at St. Mary Aldermary in London. Whilst it's most definitely a new network it has been born from the passing of Courage which ended in September this year.
The event and network represents in many ways a 2.0 or even 3.0 Christian group. By this I mean the environment into which it is being born whilst by no means perfect or always entirely safe for LGBandT Christians is very different in many ways to the landscape of the past. There is a broader understanding and recognition of LGBandT Christians and the issues which they face than has existed in the past and there are more safe spaces than previously. The need for secrecy has in many cases diminished.
The network has the vision of creating "a space where absolutely everybody is welcome." This doesn't just relate to sexual or gender identity it also applies to churchmanship. Their website says, "Compared to other LGBT Christian organisations, many of us are from evangelical backgrounds, but we now represent a broad church and aim to make all feel welcome."
This inclusivity also includes positively engaging with mainstream, straight clergy and others who have something positive to bring to the table. Today it was the Very Reverend Dr. David Ison (Dean of St. Pauls Cathedral) who spoke to the 90 or so assembled people and who exemplified the benefit of this approach. His talk was positive and yet challenging and also clearly included reference to the T part of the community as well as the gay - something sadly missing on so many occasions.
The name of the network comes from Hosea chapter two verse 23 which says, "I will say to those called ‘Not my people’, ‘You are my people’; and they will say ‘You are my God’. There was moving reference to this in a meditation during this afternoon's event.
The network is meeting four times a year and dates for next year are 23rd Feb, 18th May, 21st September and 30th November. I would encourage anybody who thinks they would benefit from this type of network to put the dates in their diary. I really enjoyed the day and meeting friends old and new as well as having the chance to worship and engage with other LGBandT Christians and their allies.
As a bit of a ps there is another launch happening at the same church this week. Host the cafe at St. Mary's operated by Moot is being launched on Tuesday 27th.