Prophetic Hope: UK Faith Groups Announce Day of Prayer & Reflection for IDAHOT 2014

Various LGBTI Christian groups will come together for IDAHOT 2014 in London, United Kingdom, for a day’s workshop of prayer, film, reflection and talks, under the theme of “Moving from Fear and Hopelessness to Spirit-led Action in Deeply Homophobic Communities”.

The event will be held on Saturday May 17, 2014, 10:30am – 4:00pm. At St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, WC2B 4JJ (map).
Organisers explain:
‘This workshop prays through and with the stories of individuals who have tapped into prophetic hope in the midst of homophobic oppression. It focuses on the story of the martyred Ugandan organizer David Kato, who, with his religious and secular friends, resisted the anti-gay witch-hunts in his own country; and it focusses on the stories of local panelists from Africa and Britain, who have fought for LGBTI and immigrant justice here in London. Through discussion, reflection, and prayer, we hope to discover the ways that God is stirring up prophetic hope in our own lives. How is God calling us to love one another more deeply, in action, in word, and in prayer?
The workshop will include a screening of the award-wining documentary ‘Call Me Kuchu’ (2012), which chronicles the life and murder of David Kato, and the continuing inspiration he has had on LGBTI Ugandans and their straight allies; it features the story of Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who supported David’s work at the cost of his own exile and persecution by Church authorities. Joining us to discuss their own journey from injustice into prophetic hope are Revd. Ijeoma Ajibade of the Diocese of London and the international Kaleidoscope Trust for LGBTI human rights; Godwyns Onwuchekwa, founder of Justice for Gay Africans Society; Revd. Sharon Ferguson of MCC North London and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement; Edwin Sesange, Director of the African LGBTI Out & Proud Diamond Group; and Revd. Jide Macaulay, founder of the House of Rainbow Fellowship.
Lunch and coffee are provided. Tickets are free to asylum seekers and people of limited income; £10 for other participants. Please consider donating £5 or £10 to make it possible for others to attend!
It is our own Christian churches that play a crucial role in supporting homophobic rhetoric and policies of hatred in countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and Russia. Homophobia is also still very much present in the UK, as recent statements from the Anglican House of Bishops sadly attest. It is woven tightly into racism and classism; it feeds people’s irrational fears about immigrants, and ongoing repression within immigrant communities. As LGBTI Christians and friends, we believe we can find prophetic hope in the midst of this brokenness, homophobia, and sin. This day long workshop in the heart of London, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, on IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) offers fellowship, input, and space. Please join us, or pray for our meeting, as we seek deeper reflection and spirit-led action.
Order tickets via TicketSource (free tickets for asylum seekers): LivingInPropheticHopeIDAHO2014.ticketsource.co.uk
If you would prefer a different method of payment/ RSVP, please send us a message to LivingInPropheticHopeIDAHO2014@gmail.com.
Scholarships are available. Please email LivingInPropheticHopeIDAHO2014@gmail.com.
Organised by Changing Attitude Greater London, a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual members of the Church of England. It works for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the life of the Anglican Communion.’
More information on the event can also be found at the official facebook page.
Event poster: