31 March 2022

St Columba’s United Reformed Church in Oxford is believed to be the first church in the UK to appoint an outreach worker for the trans, intersex and non-binary communities.

Chrissie Chevasutt started as the church’s Outreach Worker in January, an appointment financially supported by the local church, the regional Wessex Synod Trust and the Legacies Fund and the Discipleship Development Fund of the national United Reformed Church.

The role will focus on a number of areas:

• Pastoral care – offering support and understanding to people transitioning, their families and support groups, churches, and to trans people in ministry;
• Theological – to help with theological thinking and development;
• Educational – to help the Church understand what it means to be trans in all its forms, to raise awareness of needs, issues and rights for trans and non-binary people so that the Church is better informed and can offer appropriate support.

The Revd Helen Garton, minister at the St Columba’s said: “At our First Sunday LGBT+ group, I came across a number of people who identified as trans and non-binary, so it seemed obvious to me that we had a particular ministry to trans and non-binary people.

“I was aware that such a ministry needed someone who could speak from direct knowledge and experience who could offer pastoral support in Oxford and the surrounding areas based at St Columba’s.

“St Columba’s is a pioneering church and still has the energy and the heart to be ground-breaking in this area, as we are already supportive and welcoming to trans and non-binary people and are pained by the misunderstanding, prejudice and hostility that they can experience, sometimes on a daily basis.”

“Chrissie comes to us with a heart and passion for the Gospel and the work of the church in reaching out to people. They also bring an insight from a church tradition quite different to our own, which is refreshing and helpful in understanding the spiritual needs of the people who come to First Sunday, themselves from diverse church backgrounds.

“My hope is that the United Reformed Church at large will warmly support their work, learn from their insights and receive the gifts they offer.”

To interview Helen Garton or Chrissie Chevasutt, please contact the URC Media Team on 07976 750953.

The post Oxford church appoints outreach worker for Transgender, Intersex and non-binary communities appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Ash: a poem for Ash Wednesday

12 Feb 2021

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. To mark the occasion, URC minister, the Revd Lucy Berry, offers the following reflection and poem. Ash Wednesday is the day when we glimpse our part in the destruction of Jesus. If we […]

Shrove Tuesday: pancakes and prayers

12 Feb 2021

Andy Jackson, Head of Communications for the United Reformed Church (URC), shares some memories from past pancake days along with recipes from around the world (for those who want to try something other than lemon and sugar!) and a prayer for Shrove Tuesday.    Shrove Tuesday (16 February), the day before the start of Lent, is […]

‘Taste and see’ Stepwise through webinar series

09 Feb 2021

Find out more about Stepwise, what it is, who it’s for, and how it can help you develop your discipleship and faith journey through a series of five webinars. Each webinar will focus on one of the five Stepwise streams, beginning with Faith-filled Life, the starting point for the other streams. You can pick the […]

‘Without Love’ a poem by Karen Campbell

08 Feb 2021

‘Without Love’ is a poem by Karen Campbell, United Reformed Church Secretary for Global and Intercultural Ministries, for Racial Justice Sunday which this year falls on Valentine’s Day, 14 February. To mark the day, Global and Intercultural Ministries has collated a number of resources to help people reflect on ‘What kind of love?’ – its theme […]

Increased grants available for URC Church building projects

05 Feb 2021

The Congregational and General Trust has increased the level of support it makes available to United Reformed churches for building projects. Churches can now apply for 25% of costs up to a limit of £25,000 on building projects providing church improvements and extensions, including repairs. Projects including manses, organs, bells, or graveyards are not eligible. […]

Racial Justice Sunday 2021: What kind of Love?

03 Feb 2021

This year, Racial Justice Sunday coincides with Valentine’s Day, 14 February. Members of the United Reformed Church (URC’s) Global and Intercultural Ministries (GIM) team find themselves considering the theme ‘What kind of love…?’  Karen Campbell, URC Secretary for GIM, explains: On Valentine’s Day, many of us make a special fuss of someone special. Physically or metaphorically, […]

Next

No more posts

No more posts

The post Racial Justice Sunday 2021: What kind of Love? appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Latest news

Read the latest news and statements from the URC

Ceasefire Agreement – Statement

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to US and Qatari mediators. The first six-week phase is set to take effect on 19 January.

Reflection on Palestine

91��Ƭ��’s Minister for Digital Worship, the Revd Andy Braunston, delivers a Reflection on Palestine.

Church leaders call for Gaza peace

91��Ƭ��, Christian Aid, other humanitarian agencies and global church leaders have urged the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP to call for an end to fighting in Gaza.

URC Ukraine Appeal

The URC has launched an appeal in support of Ukrainian refugees and Internally Displaced Persons located to the west of Ukraine in Transcarpathia.

Crisis in Ukraine

From donating to the DEC appeal to prayers and other actions, here’s a list of the different ways you can help support those affected by the conflict

Church Life Review

The Church Life Review was set up in 2020 to review the life, structures, resources and work of the United Reformed Church.

The post News & stories appeared first on United Reformed Church.