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.

Lundie Memorial Award Winners: July and August 2023

25 Sep 2023

An active member of a Mersey church and a young West Midlands Pilots member have both gained a Lundie Memorial Award. Abby Mayers, aged 19, who attends Malpas Community Church in Cheshire, is July’s winner and Sebastian Little, aged 10, who attends Brockworth Free URC in Gloucester, is August’s. Marie Lumb, Church Secretary, nominated Abby […]

Around the URC in seven days: 18-24 September 2023

19 Sep 2023

A round up of news from around the United Reformed Church (URC) over the past seven days: 18-24 September. Southern Synod Caterham URC in Surrey is the latest church to gain an award from the Children and Youth Friendly Church Scheme. Activities focusing on young people include a communion course for children and their families […]

Help make Southernhay URC oak a Tree of the Year winner

18 Sep 2023

A tree outside Southernhay United Reformed Church in Exeter has been shortlisted among the nation’s top ten favourite trees, and needs your vote! The Tree of the Year awards takes place annually and is organised by The Woodland Trust. The winner will be announced on 19 October. The Holm Oak blitz tree outside Southernhay is […]

New Wessex Synod Moderator nominated

18 Sep 2023

The Revd Dr Michael Hopkins has been nominated to serve as Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) Wessex Synod after the Revd Clare Downing became the Moderator of the North Western Synod in June. Michael has served in pastoral charge of local churches since his ordination in 2002, and also as Clerk of the […]

Pre-order your 2023 Advent resource kit

12 Sep 2023

91��Ƭ��’s 2023 Advent resource for families, God in the Ordinary, is available for pre-ordering. The focus this year is on helping people find God in their daily lives as well as in the Christmas story. Each pack will contain: A giant poster with a ‘countdown to Christmas’, featuring lots of suggestions for […]

Disability Awareness Sunday: things you should know

11 Sep 2023

For Disability Awareness Sunday, which takes place on 17 September, the United Reformed Church (URC) Disability Awareness Task Group highlights some of the things that disabled people would like others to know about disability. During the summer, the task group carried out a survey and shared some of the responses in July for Disability Pride […]

Next

No more posts

No more posts

The post Disability Awareness Sunday: things you should know appeared first on United Reformed Church.