Safeguarding LGBT+ People in the Church: A Two Day Conference in Oxford

Keynote speakers:

• Father Jarel Robinson-Brown
• Canon Rosie harper

More guest speakers will be announced shortly.

Premise of the Conference:

Under a patriarchal ordering of the world, there are men, then women, then children. Then there are, begrudgingly acknowledged, gay folks, and LBQA+ people. and then there are transgender, Intersex, and non-binary people.

Of all these, there is no doubt, last, and most vulnerable of all, are LGBTQIA+ children and youth, over whom a theological, ideological, pastoral, and even physical war, is raging.

Regardless of personal perspectives and convictions, how do we safeguard such vulnerable people? If our safeguarding of LGBT+ people and children is effective, our safeguarding of everyone in the church will be greatly improved.

How power chooses to safeguard or marginalise the most vulnerable reveals the nature and character of that power.

It is no surprise that the leading contributors to this conference are women. It is so often women who bring and reflect the pastoral heart, mind and will of God to the Church.

May the Church listen to their voices, their decades of lived experience and wisdom.

Schedule

Monday 6th October 2025

9-10am.      Registration, Coffee, Breakfast.*

10.00am.    Welcome.

10.10am.    Introduction.  

10.30am.    Session One. Keynote Speaker, Canon Reverend Father Jarel Robinson-Brown.

A Theological Foundation and Formation of Safeguarding LGBT+ People in the Church. What does God desire for us?  

11.30am.    Session Two. 

12.30pm.    Lunchtime.*

1.30pm.      Session Three.

2.30pm.      Choice of Three Parallel Sessions. 

Workshop. 

Seminar. 

Q&A Panel; A Methodist, a Baptist, An Anglican, and a United Reformed, Four ministers, a dialogue; Safeguarding LGBT+ People in our Churches.

3.30pm.     Break. Coffee, biscuits, and fruit.

3.45pm.     Session Four.

4.45pm.     Panel, Reflection and Q&A.

5.30pm.     Close.

Tuesday 7th October 2025.

9.00-10am.    Registration, Coffee, Breakfast.*

10.00am.       Welcome. Introduction.

10.15am.       Session Five.

11.15am.       Session Six.

12.15am.       Lunchtime.*

1.00pm.         Choice of Three Parallel Sessions.

Workshop. 

Seminar. 

Q&A Panel; A Methodist, a Baptist, An Anglican, and a United Reformed minister, Four ministers, a dialogue; Safeguarding LGBT+ People in our Churches.

2.00pm.       Session Seven.

3.00pm.       Break. Coffee, fruit and biscuits.

3.15pm.       Keynote Speaker. Canon Rosie Harper.

4.15pm.       Panel, Reflections, and Q&A.

5.00pm.       Close.

*Breakfast will be pastries, fruit, yoghurt. Gluten free available if pre-ordered.

*Lunchtime, there are many shops and cafes within five minutes-walk of Cohen Quad.

We will provide lunch for speakers. Sandwiches, fruit, cheese, biscuits, cake.

The Conference will be available online, and we will have online delegates and questions.

We hope to make all sessions available to view online after the conference.

Host or Publisher St. Columba's URC