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.

New Year’s Day 2023: a new year, a new me? 

28 Dec 2022

In this reflection for New Year’s Day, Jo Harris, United Reformed Church Youth Moderator, explores what she’ll be focusing on tin 2023: Another year has been and gone and I suddenly find myself wondering what my resolutions are going to be next year. I’m pondering over the ideas in my head about what might be: […]

Love at a cellular level

22 Dec 2022

The Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, a URC Minister and Moderator-Elect of the URC General Assembly, the first ethnically-minoritised woman to be elected to the role, reflects on the column written by Jeremy Clarkson in The Sun about Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, which is now the most complained about newspaper article ever, and the lack […]

New Transitional Moderator for North Western Synod

22 Dec 2022

The Revd Clare Downing, currently Moderator for the United Reformed Church’s (URC) Wessex Synod, has been nominated as the Transitional Moderator of the North Western Synod. Clare has been the Wessex Synod Moderator since 2011, and has previously served at Braunstone and Evington Road, Leicester, and in a Special Category ministry specialising in inter-faith issues […]

New Moderator for Northern Synod nominated

21 Dec 2022

The Revd Kim Plumpton has been nominated to serve as Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) Northern Synod after the Revd Dave Herbert retires next year. Kim graduated from Westminster College, Cambridge, and has served at Cobham United Church, Cobham Methodist and Effingham Methodist Churches since 2010. Educated in Harrogate in social care, Kim […]

Christmas 2022: so much more than tinsel and turkey

19 Dec 2022

In this year’s Christmas day reflection, the Revd Fiona Bennett, URC General Assembly Moderator, reads from Luke 2 (MSG), and contrasts TV advert depiction of the special day with reality and how it doesn’t always measure up to those expectations. Fiona shares with us how the true joy of Christmas runs much deeper than the […]

Church leaders slam Cumbria coal mine decision

14 Dec 2022

The Revd Fiona Bennett, Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly, has joined 450 other Christian leaders in challenging the government’s decision to approve a new, deep coal mine in West Cumbria. In an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove, the Church leaders and […]

Next

No more posts

No more posts

The post Church leaders slam Cumbria coal mine decision appeared first on United Reformed Church.