31 March 2022

St Columba’s United Reformed Church in Oxford is believed to be the first church in the UK to appoint an outreach worker for the trans, intersex and non-binary communities.

Chrissie Chevasutt started as the church’s Outreach Worker in January, an appointment financially supported by the local church, the regional Wessex Synod Trust and the Legacies Fund and the Discipleship Development Fund of the national United Reformed Church.

The role will focus on a number of areas:

• Pastoral care – offering support and understanding to people transitioning, their families and support groups, churches, and to trans people in ministry;
• Theological – to help with theological thinking and development;
• Educational – to help the Church understand what it means to be trans in all its forms, to raise awareness of needs, issues and rights for trans and non-binary people so that the Church is better informed and can offer appropriate support.

The Revd Helen Garton, minister at the St Columba’s said: “At our First Sunday LGBT+ group, I came across a number of people who identified as trans and non-binary, so it seemed obvious to me that we had a particular ministry to trans and non-binary people.

“I was aware that such a ministry needed someone who could speak from direct knowledge and experience who could offer pastoral support in Oxford and the surrounding areas based at St Columba’s.

“St Columba’s is a pioneering church and still has the energy and the heart to be ground-breaking in this area, as we are already supportive and welcoming to trans and non-binary people and are pained by the misunderstanding, prejudice and hostility that they can experience, sometimes on a daily basis.”

“Chrissie comes to us with a heart and passion for the Gospel and the work of the church in reaching out to people. They also bring an insight from a church tradition quite different to our own, which is refreshing and helpful in understanding the spiritual needs of the people who come to First Sunday, themselves from diverse church backgrounds.

“My hope is that the United Reformed Church at large will warmly support their work, learn from their insights and receive the gifts they offer.”

To interview Helen Garton or Chrissie Chevasutt, please contact the �山ǿ�� Media Team on 07976 750953.

The post Oxford church appoints outreach worker for Transgender, Intersex and non-binary communities appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Latest news

Read the latest news and statements from the �山ǿ��

Ceasefire Agreement – Statement

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to US and Qatari mediators. The first six-week phase is set to take effect on 19 January.

Reflection on Palestine

The United Reformed Church’s Minister for Digital Worship, the Revd Andy Braunston, delivers a Reflection on Palestine.

Church leaders call for Gaza peace

The United Reformed Church, Christian Aid, other humanitarian agencies and global church leaders have urged the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP to call for an end to fighting in Gaza.

�山ǿ�� Ukraine Appeal

The �山ǿ�� has launched an appeal in support of Ukrainian refugees and Internally Displaced Persons located to the west of Ukraine in Transcarpathia.

Crisis in Ukraine

From donating to the DEC appeal to prayers and other actions, here’s a list of the different ways you can help support those affected by the conflict

Church Life Review

The Church Life Review was set up in 2020 to review the life, structures, resources and work of the United Reformed Church.

The post News & stories appeared first on United Reformed Church.

Rebuilding homes and hope: Hurricane Melissa appeal launched for Jamaica

10 Nov 2025

The United Reformed Church, through Commitment for Life, has launched an appeal to support both the immediate and long-term needs of affected church communities across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. “The needs are monumental,” said the Revd Dr Gordon Cowans, former Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. “A special church team […]

Evening of fellowship at CTE Presidents’ Dinner

10 Nov 2025

Leaders and representatives from across Churches Together England’s member churches gathered for an evening of fellowship at Lambeth Palace on 4 November. Guests included the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Free Churches Group CTE President for 2025 to 2028, and the Revd Jenny Mills, Deputy General Secretary (Faith in Action). The theme of the evening “One […]

Rallying cry issued for Human Rights in the UK

04 Nov 2025

Catriona Wheeler, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, has added her voice to a statement in defence of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In total, 292 charities and organisations – including Amnesty, Shelter, Mind, the End Violence Against Women Coalition, and Parkinsons UK – have stated their support for the ECHR […]

Gratitude from Greenbelt

04 Nov 2025

�山ǿ�� Children’s and Youth staff and volunteers have received a special word of thanks for their work at the Greenbelt Festival over the past four years. From 2021 until this past summer, the �山ǿ�� Youth CYDO+ Team has been central to the youth provision and programming at the arts, politics and spirituality festival. Greenbelt’s Creative […]

Remembrance: A British Army chaplain’s call to peace

03 Nov 2025

The Revd Stuart P Turner, a United Reformed Church minister who has served as a British Army Chaplain since 2009, will be deployed overseas for Remembrance. In this reflection, Stuart gives thanks for those who have served with courage and selflessness — from Britain and the Commonwealth, past and present — while also lamenting the […]

Green fury in latest Reform

30 Oct 2025

The Green Party’s Carla Denyer MP is all fired up in her interview for the latest issue of Reform magazine. She tells editor Steve Tomkins she is “perpetually angry at the state of things in this country” but believes politicians can make a difference if they have a passion they want to follow. Elsewhere, Lindsey […]

Next

No more posts

No more posts

The post Green fury in latest Reform appeared first on United Reformed Church.