Spiritual nourishment with Open Table Liverpool & St Bride's Church

Lilly (She/Her) is the University Mission Chaplaincy Assistant for St Luke in the City Parish, working with students from Liverpool John Moores University and University of Liverpool. Saturday Prayer is lead by Lilly on St Luke in the City Facebook Live 9.15am for moving, meditative intercessions. Email: students@stlukeintheicity.org.uk

Yesterday, I had the privilege of leading Open Table Liverpool in Evening Prayer over Zoom. I have been part of the Open Table communities in Liverpool and in Sefton (north Liverpool) for the past three years. This was the first time I was able to be creative with liturgy with guidance - the creative process involved was very empowering!

As we gathered from different parts of Merseyside and beyond, for the first time I felt completely comfortable on Zoom!

It was a delight for me, as Sunday 2nd August marked what would have been my Mum’s 64th birthday. Although we often struggled with our understanding of affirmation and readings of theology, my Mum would have been beaming with joy at the idea of me leading of a church service. It felt wonderful to dress my altar, create my own sacred space to share with our community and insert my own style and personality into the presentation!

I loved having the inclusion of art and flowers - for me, and my own Christian spiritual practice, candles, incense and fresh flowers are really important for my environment when connecting with the Divine.

I felt empowered that it flowed, getting used to the flow of words, holding silence and knowing that what we are doing is feeding each other spiritually. Food, and feeding was our topic for the evening.

A reflection on the feeding of the 5000 offered up questions about gender roles and opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual nourishment.

It was a gift to able to be part of something that is so creative and inclusive.

Lilly’s altar with candles, incense and flowers.