19/11/2018
Researchers suggest that LGBT people are more likely to follow a spiritual path than the general population, and in spite of the phobia of some right wing churches, liberal Christianity has been a welcoming place of love and acceptance for many gay and trans people. A coalition of LGBT Christian groups have united for the forthcoming Christmas season and have been in touch, saying:
The pumpkins are long gone and the coffee shops are showing off their seasonal beverages - yes, it's officially Christmas !! Want to share the joy - with your churchy chums or your with our LGBTQI+ brothers and sisters who wouldn't set foot in church? Great - let's set a date and get planning.
Big Queer Carols is an initiative that started as a collaboration of a number of groups - Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, OneBodyOneFaith, Two23 network, Affirm: Baptists Together for LGBT Christians - bringing carols and stories to life for the festive season. And then there was Big Queer Carols Coventry, facilitated by Methodist Central Hall, but appearing for one night only at the Yard, Coventry's LGBTQI+ bar and club. It was a really special evening.
This year LGBT Christian groups would like to invite you to join them in organising your own Big Queer Carols, wherever you are. They will help with customisable publicity, social media support and tweakable carol sheets (think Bethlehem Carol Sheet but with added glitter!) All that’s needed is enthusiasm, and a small team to spread the joy. Identify a venue - it doesn't need to be a church - agree a date and bring the creativity and carollers.
If you'd like to find out more about getting involved, contact One Body One Faith, the umbrella network for LGBT Christians. They want to make Big Queer Carols as much a date on the calendar as Christians at Pride. Wherever people are, and however far from church they might feel, this is an opportunity for them to come close and catch a glimpse of something special, something sparkly, something which is as much for us queer folk as it is for the rest of humankind.
https://www.onebodyonefaith.org.uk/
http://www.affirmingbaptists.org.uk/
http://www.christiansatpride.com/
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