Meet Our Patrons - Rachel Mann in conversation with Alex Clare-Young
Channel: Open Table Network
Date: 2020-11-21

'May we know that we too are children of God's delight, and that through the Open Table Network God's love is known felt and heard.' - Watch Rachel Mann's message to the Open Table Network (4 minutes): https://youtu.be/DqZFey66Ens

Search this Q&A video (click the time code to skip to the section you want to watch): 
00:15 Welcome & intro by Alex Clare-Young
00:43 What would you like to say to LGBTQIA+ young people today?
04:04 What's changed since you first wrote Dazzling Darkness?
09:42 Do we pay enough attention to intersections e.g. between trans identities and disability?
16:08 Why does the Open Table Network matter to you?
19:27 Do you think the Eucharist, or Communion, has particular importance for LGBTQ+ Christians?
21:31 How can we sit together at an open table with people who disagree with or exclude us?
25:24 How can people be supportive allies to trans people, to help them sit at the table?
28:09 If you could choose to sit around a table with anyone , who would it be?
32:52 What barriers are there to the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in the church today?
36:36 What one thing would you want other ministers to hear?
39:33 What affirming resources would you recommend on theological foundations of being trans?
41:25 How can we support those who are most marginalised within the LGBTQIA+ community?
44:41 Would you encourage people to engage with the CofE's Living in Love & Faith (LLF) resources?
49:02 The conversation about trans rights has been framed as a debate between feminism and trans people. Is there a helpful way to respond?
53:16 What's the prophetic gifting of trans spirituality and mysticism today?
55:21 Can people from other denominations be helpful allies in the CofE's LLF process?
57:57 What gives you hope right now?
58:47 Summing up & thanks
59:21 Details of next month's Patron's Q&A

The Open Table Network is becoming a charity, so we have asked several notable Christians who identify as LGBTQIA+, or as allies, to become our patrons. They will be advocates for our Network, speaking about us and supporting us in the public eye. We are proud that these people believe in what we're doing and want to have their names associated with us. This is the first of our Q&A webinars with our new Patrons.

Rachel Mann is an Anglican Priest, poet, writer and broadcaster based in South Manchester. Her first book, the critically-acclaimed ‘Dazzling Darkness’ (Glasgow: Wild Goose), a memoir of growing up transgender in the 1970s and ‘80s, has just received a second, revised edition. Since then she has published ten books which include the Michael Ramsey Prize-nominated ‘Fierce Imaginings’ (London: DLT), the Forward Prizes commended ‘A Kingdom of Love (Manchester: Carcanet), and, in October 2020, a novel ‘The Gospel of Eve (London: DLT).

She has also written comment pieces for The Church Times, The Times, and The Guardian. She also contributes to radio programmes on BBC Radio, including Sunday Worship, in which she recently incorporated a reflection on the ministry of the Open Table Network.

Rachel was in conversation with Alex Clare-Young, Co-Chair of the Open Table Network. Alex is a minister in the United Reformed Church, currently ministering to an online community called Churspacious, and with the trans community. Alex's first book, ‘Transgender. Christian. Human.’ was published in 2019 by Wild Goose.