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.

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.

Bank account closure forces Wilsden church into difficulties

28 Nov 2023

A Wilsden church is urging Barclays Bank to exercise caution after a number of financial issues were caused after the bank suddenly closed its account. Wilsden Trinity Church, a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) between the United Reformed and Methodist Churches in Bradford, had banked with Barclays for around 20 years. However, 18 months ago the […]

Reform magazine: December 2023 – January 2024 edition

27 Nov 2023

In the December 2023-January 2024 issue of Reform magazine, Graham Handscomb asks, “If individuals can’t solve the conflicts of a violent world, what can we do?” In the annual Reform charity guide, ten charities, from local to global, offer suggestions of projects we can support that will make big differences to the lives of others. […]

St Ives churches urge MP to stop closure of asylum hotel

24 Nov 2023

Churches Together in St Ives and supporters are lobbying MPs after learning that asylum seekers living in a local hotel will be forced to leave their new community. Many of the asylum seekers have been welcomed by members of churches in the area, including The Free Church (United Reformed) St Ives, making a home for […]

A “constant joy” nets a Lundie Memorial Award

20 Nov 2023

Matilda Willis, aged eight, from United Reformed Church (URC) West Midlands Synod has been named October’s recipient of the Lundie Memorial Award. Matilda, who attends Sutton Coldfield URC, enjoys Messy Church sessions. So inspired by them, the eight-year-old approached the organising team with some ideas of her own. Some of her ideas included making daisy […]

URC joins campaign to help end poverty

20 Nov 2023

91��Ƭ�� (URC) has joined Let’s End Poverty, a major new social movement launched to help bring an end to poverty experienced throughout the UK. The campaigns urges people to call for politicians to make the end of poverty part of their party policies and their manifestos for the next General Election. Let’s […]

Fifteen churches receive holiday club grants

13 Nov 2023

Thanks to grants from the United Reformed Church (URC) Children’s and Youth Work (CYW) Team, 15 clubs were supported this summer with a grant of either £50 or £100. For some churches, this was their first holiday club while others had been established for some time. The crafts, activities and games offered at the clubs […]

Next

No more posts

No more posts

The post Fifteen churches receive holiday club grants appeared first on United Reformed Church.