Unite Under the Rainbow: Open Table Warrington Marks 10 Years of Inclusive Worship
Open Table Warrington celebrated its 10th birthday with a full day of worship, creativity, and community connection at St John’s United Reformed Church on Sunday 13th July. Themed “Unite Under the Rainbow,” the event brought together long-standing members and first-time visitors to mark a decade of radical welcome and LGBTQIA+ inclusion in faith.
Open Table Warrington was the second worship community to join the Open Table Network, a growing partnership of LGBTQIA+ affirming Christian worship communities across the UK. This milestone celebration was a chance to reflect on the journey so far and joyfully dream forward.
A Day of Grace, Colour and Communion
The celebrations began with Morning Worship, led by the minister Revd Jenny Travis, and themed “Grace Like Glitter.” The service welcomed three new people into the worshipping community and reflected on God’s grace as something abundant, sparkling, and freely given. The atmosphere was described as: “Joyful, reflective, and gentle.”
The festivities continued with a lively Rainbow Picnic on the church grounds, attended by 24 people. There was food, laughter, and the added joy of rock painting and games with fun activities that delighted attendees of all ages. A warm welcome was extended to one new guest, who joined in the celebration and found connection in the colourful crowd.
“An amazing group of beautiful people,” shared one participant.
“A place where I feel at home.”
The community then gathered once more for Evening Worship with communion, themed “Being God’s Masterpiece.” This Open Table service welcomed three more new faces and offered a sacred time of reflection on our divine worth and identity. The message affirmed that each person is wonderfully made and deeply loved, just as they are.
One participant expressed,
“I can’t express enough my love for this safe sacred space.”
More Than a Milestone
Beyond the rainbow flags and birthday cake, the day served as a powerful reminder of what Open Table Warrington has become over the past 10 years: a place where people of all identities and backgrounds are invited to show up fully, without fear or shame, and experience the transformative love of God.
Whether people joined for a single moment or stayed for the full day, the message was clear:
You are more than welcome.
As Open Table Warrington looks to the future, it continues to build a world, and a church, where every person is seen, celebrated, and loved.
'CREATED PERFECT, but made flawed’: Gail from Open Table Warrington spoke to the This Was Always Me podcast about how she found self-acceptance after conversion therapy at church: bit.ly/GailPodcast [56mins]
Further information:
Grace Like Glitter resource edited by URC Ministers Alex and Jo Clare-Young: https://www.ionabooks.com/product/grace-like-glitter-pdf-download/
St John's URC - an inclusive church in Warrington