Meet our Co-Chairs - Sarah Hobbs
Channel: Open Table Network
Date: 02/04/2024

We're updating the 'Meet our team' page on the Open Table Network website with new videos. Here is the text of Sarah's introduction: 

Hi, I'm Sarah Hobbs, and alongside Andrew, I'm one of the Co-Chairs of the Open Table Network. I've had the complete honor and privilege of being in this role since 2020. During that time, the network has continued to grow and develop, and we've seen the launch of many new communities. It feels like we've achieved so much in that time, but there's always still more to do.

Open Table communities are characterized by two things. Firstly, they're places where you'll find a community of LGBTQIA plus people of faith who will more than welcome you. Secondly, they're places where we gather around the communion table together to meet with God. Thank you so much if you're part of one of our communities. You're making a massive difference to the people who attend alongside you.

The last few years while I've been Co-Chair have been eventful for me too, personally. Having found faith back in 1992, and soon after realizing that I was called to ordained ministry, I found it hard to believe that the church would accept someone who was transgender as a priest. So I gave up on the idea.

In subsequent years, I've been on a journey too, and in 2023, after a lengthy discernment process, I became an ordinand and started studying within the Church of England. I live in North Yorkshire, and so I regularly attend the Northallerton and Bradford communities, but I'm often found in other parts of the network too. In my day job, I run a consultancy business, and so I'm no stranger to travel. So if you need someone to speak to your group, please let me know. I'm always happy to visit.

Thank you for watching my introduction.Take care, and may God bless you richly as we work together. Thank you.