This June, churches across the Diocese of Oxford are marking Pride Month with joyful, prayerful support for LGBTQIA+ communities.
Across Oxfordshire, Christian groups have taken part in local Pride events, celebrating that every person is made in the image of God and deeply loved.
Pride and joy
Thousands turned up to Oxford Pride on Saturday 7 June, where those marching in the parade included Open Space, a new initiative from Cowley St John.
Open Space is a monthly ecumenical Christian gathering for the queer community and affirming allies, designed to be a relaxed and welcoming space for all, particularly those who are neurodivergent and/or have struggled with church in the past.
Open Space and the University Church of St Mary's held a Pride Prayers service after the parade, led by the Revd Hannah Cartwright. You can see one of the prayers from the service below.
The Revd Naomi Gardom, Assistant Curate of the University Church, shared a poignant reflection on what it means to be a queer Christian at Pride:
"Having a Christian presence at Pride is all about the phrase, 'Pride and Joy'," Naomi begins. "It's about communicating the absolute delight that God takes in every part of God's creation."
"As queer Christians, we can sometimes not know where we're welcome, not know where we're safe. We can feel like we've got a foot in both camps.
"And so having a Christian presence at Pride, having Pride prayers is about saying to everyone - trans, lesbian, gay, bi, ace, anywhere on that spectrum - that you are welcome. We are welcome here."
Meaningful conversations
This message of welcome has been embodied across the diocese in recent days, as churches in the Dorchester Area have also been getting involved with local Pride events.
In Banbury, St Mary's Church hosted Pride Prayers, a family-friendly service featuring prayer, a short talk, and some familiar primary school-style hymns.
In Witney, the Revd Chris Dingwall-Jones was at the local Pride festival representing the diocese's LGBTQIA+ Chaplaincy service.
"It's so good to be at Pride, having such good conversations."
Those conversations are one of the highlights of the chaplaincy work for Chris.
"Really the importance of [the chaplaincy] is in being a safe and confidential space where people are affirmed as loved by God and included in the family of God."
You can find out more about our chaplains and get in touch via our confidential contact form. You can also see some thoughts from the chaplains on the @oxforddiocese TikTok channel.
Pride in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
Pride celebrations continue in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire over the coming months, including Reading Pride on 30 August and Milton Keynes Pride on 13 September. If your church is getting involved with a Pride event, let us know.
Pride Prayers
The following prayer is the collect for Trans Day of Visibility, from Trans Episcopal. It was used in the Pride Prayers service for Oxford Pride.
O God, you are made visible through the incarnation of Jesus Christ our Saviour,
and you call us to make you visible in the world;
we thank you for creating each of us in your image.
Strengthen us to bear witness to your infinite beauty as we change from glory into glory,
steadfast in the knowledge that we are your beloved children,
and celebrating the beauty in one another;
through your beloved child Jesus,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
