New Year, New…?
New Year, New…?
Finish that sentence!
It can be tempting to think that entering a new year is a chance for a new slate, a fresh start, an opportunity to change something in our lives, or even in the world around us. We’re conditioned with advertising for gym memberships, reading plans, subscriptions to this, that, and everything else.
Of course, there is room for change and growth, particularly at a recognised moment such as the beginning of a new year. A colleague of mine from many years ago shared that her father actually celebrates that start of a new year on his birthday, which I think is a beautiful sentiment that offers personal opportunity for reflection.
However, I wouldn’t want to throw 2023 away only to start again in 2024, or indeed any of the years prior, as challenging as many of them have been for me personally, those around me, and the wider world. As Christians, we believe in the coming Kingdom of God, that is also breaking through now. I believe that the arc of Scripture and the narrative of how God interacts with creation demonstrates that we are moving towards something, building on what has been before, the good and the bad.
OneBodyOneFaith is an organisation that is built upon decades of hard work – of praying and pushing for change, ensuring that LGBT+ Christians can thrive, not just survive. There have been bumps on the way, and at times perhaps we might have felt as if things would never change, but it is that continuity of that which has gone before, to where we are now - building and moving towards the Kingdom that is breaking through.
In 2023, the OneBodyOneFaith Board and staff team developed our 2023-2026 strategy – which we introduced to our membership at our December member’s day in Cambridge; if you’d like to learn more about this strategy, do drop us a line.
Our expertise as a leading LGBT+ Christian organisation, with increasing growth with partners and friends beyond the UK too, means that as we enter 2024 focusing on our core themes of Safety and Joy, we are not starting from scratch, but rather using all our collective skills, knowledge, experience, wisdom, and insight, to work as partners with the Divine in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of LGBT+ Christians around the world.
I’m delighted that we’re entering a new year so strongly, with such conviction, and with you alongside us as members, allies, partners, and friends yet made. Please continue to pray for our work, and support financially if you are able to do so.
Peace to you, and to all.
Luke, CEO
