We are a congregation that is open and affirming with a heart for social justice. If you have felt excluded or judged, this church will be a different experience. OVERVIEW
A gay man, a grandma, a musician, and a teacher walk into a room. It sounds like the set-up for a joke, but it is actually people worshiping at Open Table Christian Church: a voice of faith for social justice. In November 2015,
Open Table Christian Church was founded to respect personal and theological differences for the united purpose of worship and healing a broken world. There is no creed or article of faith that visitors are expected to adopt, no traditional memberships, and we won’t even pass an offering plate. There is no pressure to join or become a member at Open Table Christian Church. Anyone is welcome whenever they can attend, whether that means each week, in supplement to another church, or as an occasional drop-in or on livestream.
“We can show that there is a church that knows and teaches that we are ALL equally loved by God as we work to promote understanding in the community,” said Jo Nelson, one of the church's founding members. The name Open Table Christian Church was chosen to emphasize the fact that this church and the communion we share are open to anyone who would like to come. Open Table Christian Church is living out its mission of being welcoming to all people, including folks of different ethnic backgrounds, economic levels, ages, sexual orientations and gender identities. If you have been searching for a church that will accept you for who you are, Open Table Christian Church has a space for you. Open Table Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
907 E. Main Street Murfreesboro, TN (room 106)
Services at 9:30 a.m. Box 332945 Murfreesboro, TN 37133
www.opentablechristrianchurch.org
[email protected]
317-605-9983
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
OPEN TABLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) MURFREESBORO, TN
-Last year we called Interim minister Reverend Jared Ruari and welcomed him, his wife, and their two children into our church family.
-Last year we had our first ever Tenebrae Service and shared a Passover meal.
-Last year we welcomed new members.
-Last year we were involved in many outreach efforts. Thank you to those who coordinated these outreach and volunteer efforts.
-Last year we participated in BoroPride.
-Last year we celebrated our 7th Anniversary as Open Table Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
-Last year we had a meaningful Advent Season and discussions before worship.
-In January this year we had our first ever Game Night that was attended by 20 people. Exciting!
-The end of February we departed Journeys in Community Living where we had been worshiping for 7 years.
-We had our first experience as a living room church for two months while we were between locations.
-In March we had to say farewell to the Ruari family when they answered a new calling to serve a congregation out west.
-Last April we participated in the LGBT College Conference at MTSU.
-Last April we thanked our music minister for his 7 years of dedication and service as accompanist for Open Table.
-We have learned to use our internet resources for accompanying us on our hymns and special music.
-In May we were welcomed at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where we have this great space to worship and call home.
-We have had the opportunity to hear the preaching abilities of several people from our congregation. Thank you for answering the call and serving the church in this way.
-We have welcomed several guest preachers including Rev. Janet Maykus, Rev. Kyle Harris, and Rev. Chris Warren.
-FCPC invited us to participate with a Habitat for Humanity build, Project Transformation, and to collect school supplies.
-Since moving to our new location we have been able to welcome back a few members that we had not been able to worship with due to location or the pandemic.
-Also, two regular attendees have expressed interest in wanting to place membership with Open Table Christian Church.
-We as the church have celebrated the birth of new family members.
-We as the church celebrate and encourage members in their life journeys, adventures, and experiences.
*We are in a good place. We know God has blessed us. We are thankful to be welcomed by FCPC and to be worshiping in a beautiful brick building with beautiful landscaping and trees on a main street in Murfreesboro. We are LIVING IN CHRIST! We are Christ's church, living truth! We can't wait to see what God has in store for us next. WHO WE ARE
We are a community united in our desire to share God's love and peace through worship, service, and unconditional acceptance. STATEMENTS OF VALUES
We value diversity. We value service, social justice, and equality. We value unity not uniformity. We value cooperation with other denominations and faiths for greater good and harmony. We value open communion. We value the participation of laity regardless of gender, sexual orientation, etc. We value study and deep discussion. We value asking questions as a way to strengthen our faith. We value people more than dogma. WE STRIVE TO
Seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Share God’s unconditional love for all of creation
Create a welcoming atmosphere for all, especially the marginalized, oppressed, and disillusioned
Provide a safe place to say what we think and be who we are in a spirit of love
Ask questions without fear of judgment or the expectation of easy answers
Serve one another and our greater community with an emphasis on social justice
STATEMENT OF INCLUSION
Open Table Christian Church seeks to be a people of grace and welcome to all God’s children. We affirm the faith, baptism, and spiritual gifts of all who follow God, and we are glad to welcome into fellowship and service all people – no matter what race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, economic status, political stance, and theological perspective. We celebrate that ALL are part of God’s good creation.
