Kieran Bohan

Grace before agreement: What living ecumenically has taught me What does it mean to practice Christian unity today? Drawing on my own journey across Christian traditions and the story of the Open Table Network, I explore unity, grace, and the courage to stay at the table - especially when we don’t agree on everything.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN to practice Christian unity today? Drawing on my own journey across Christian traditions and the story of the Open Table Network, I explore unity, grace, and the courage to stay at the table - especially when we don’t agree on everything.

‘All Are Welcome!’: How a surprising witness is inspiring a national church FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary history. This year the Methodist Church in Britain asked me to connect them with a minister who could tell the story of a church that had walked the sometimes difficult journey to becoming truly inclusive and hosting an Open Table community.

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month. This year the Methodist Church in Britain asked me to connect them with a minister whose church had walked the sometimes difficult journey to becoming truly inclusive and hosting an Open Table community, showing what 'welcome' really means.

Standing together in the gap: Migration, identity, and the search for home AS PART of my training for ordained ministry in the Methodist Church in Britain, I have been invited to situate my own experience of migration within global theological perspectives, particularly those emerging from African and Latin American contexts. Engaging with migration studies has revealed my story as part of a much larger global, political and theological pattern of power, privilege, and displacement. Migration, therefore, is not an abstract concept for me; it has shaped my family, my childhood, and my ministry.

'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs.'

My family’s migration story began there.

Studying African and Latin American theology has reshaped how I see belonging, privilege, and my responsibility as a Christian minister within systems that decide who gets to belong and call a place home.

Surprised by grace: Discovering hidden treasures in Methodist vocation TWO YEARS AGO this week, I found myself in a place I never imagined, at a Discerning Ordained Vocations [DOV] conference of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. It was part of a careful, prayerfu…

TWO YEARS AGO this week, I found myself in a place I never imagined, at a Discerning Ordained Vocations [DOV] conference of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. It was part of a careful, prayerful process of listening for God’s call - a call that had already surprised me more than once:

A low-angle view looking directly up at a spiral ceiling featuring vibrant stained-glass windows. The rectangular window panes wind inward in a tight spiral toward a central, glowing circular light fixture. The glass panels are filled with a colorful mosaic of deep blues, reds, yellows, and greens, creating a brilliant contrast against the dark, shadowy structure of the ceiling.

'GOD WANTS and loves me as I am, and had never called me to an impossible task.'
Kai from Open Table Salford reflects on God’s unconditional love and recognition, belonging and redemption, in our #ThisIsMyStory podcast. READ/LISTEN: bit.ly/otnCalledByName

From resolution to relationship – Renewing the Methodist Covenant Prayer THIS REFLECTION began as a sermon preached at a Methodist Covenant Service. I’ve adapted it here for anyone who has ever struggled with resolutions, commitments, or prayers that ask more of us than we feel able to give. At its heart is a simple conviction: covenant begins with God, not with us.

DO YOU ever make #resolutions at #NewYear - then remember how hard they are to keep?
The #Methodist #CovenantPrayer invites us into something deeper: not a resolution to keep, but a relationship to renew.

A circular illustration divided vertically in half. On the left, a barren landscape with dry soil and a leafless tree; on the right, a green landscape with rolling hills and a full leafy tree. A white dove carrying an olive branch flies above the circle. Beneath the image is the text ‘Garden of Peace’ and ‘Isaiah 32:14–18’.

GARDEN OF PEACE: A reflection for the Season of Creation in September was THE most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/09/02/garden-of-peace-a-reflection-for-the-season-of-creation-2025 #2025review

A wide view inside a church or chapel showing a large round wooden table in the foreground. Dozens of small white origami cranes are carefully arranged on the table in the shape of a cross. Wooden chairs, a lectern, and musical instruments are visible in the background, creating a quiet, reflective worship setting.

TRANSFIGURATION and Hiroshima: A reflection on peace was the 2nd most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/08/06/transfiguration-and-hiroshima-a-reflection-on-peace #2025review

An indoor display featuring an Open Table banner reading ‘Open Table – Come as you are’ and ‘Safe sacred space for LGBTQIA+ Christians,’ with the Open Table rainbow logo. Beside it is a flipchart covered in handwritten prayers and messages, including a heart-shaped heading reading ‘Our prayer for LGBT+ History Month.’ A transgender pride flag hangs in the background.

NATIONAL CHURCH shares LGBT+ History Month prayer - My reflection on what inspired the prayer the Methodist Church shared with churches in February was the 3rd most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/02/03/national-church-shares-lgbt-history-month-prayer #2025review

A hand-drawn illustration of a large glass jar with a lid, filled with encouraging words and phrases. Text on the jar reads: ‘You matter,’ ‘You’re doing a great job,’ ‘God is with you,’ ‘I’m inspired by you,’ ‘You are growing into wonderful people,’ ‘You are stronger than you know,’ and ‘I am so proud of you.’ The jar is surrounded by small stars and radiating lines on a pale background.

ENCOURAGING WORDS build community spirit - My reflection at a church where a minister was preparing to leave was the 4th most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/08/04/encouraging-words-build-community-spirit #2025review

A group of people march together at a Pride event holding a large purple banner reading ‘Christians at Pride’ with rainbow accents. Some wear clerical collars and rainbow stoles. A sign above the crowd reads, ‘Will it be open table? The question that started a movement.’ Rainbow flags and umbrellas are visible, with buildings and a large crowd in the background.

‘WILL IT BE OPEN TABLE?’ - For #LGBThistorymonth in February the Methodist Church shared my reflection on the growth of the Open Table Network. It was the 5th most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/02/10/will-it-be-open-table-the-question-that-started-a-movement #2025review

Illustration of a young child running through a sunny meadow with arms outstretched, facing a bright yellow sun in a blue sky. Wildflowers and green grass fill the foreground, with soft clouds and trees in the distance, conveying joy and freedom.

JOY, FREEDOM, KINDNESS: A spiritual exercise - My reflection during an all-age service including children and adults with learning difficulties was the 6th most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/07/05/joy-freedom-kindness-a-spiritual-exercise #2025review

A mosaic-style album cover composed of hundreds of small photographs of people and scenes, arranged to form a larger portrait of a person facing forward. The overall effect suggests many individual lives gathered into one image. The title 'Plowshare Prayer // Spencer LaJoye'

THE GRANDEST AND RAWEST OUTCRY: The 7th most read new post on my blog in 2025 was the final part of my #Advent series of #DesertIslandDiscs reflections
abravefaith.com/2025/12/24/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-the-grandest-and-rawest-outcry
#2025review

A blue-and-white graphic promoting Peace Sunday. On the left is a clock face filled with small icons representing prayer, care, meditation, peace, community, protest, and hope. On the right, bold blue text reads “Make Time for PEACE.” Below, the text says “Peace Sunday, 21st September 2025.” At the bottom right is the Fellowship of Reconciliation logo with the words “Peace · Justice · Hope” and the website for.org.uk

MAKE TIME FOR PEACE: A call to action - My reflection for #PeaceSunday in September was the 8th most viewed post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/09/21/make-time-for-peace-a-call-to-action #2025review

The Trinity by Kelly Latimore (USA 2016). A stylized religious icon of three winged, haloed figures seated together around a small table, representing the Trinity. The central figure has dark skin and wears red and blue robes; the figures on either side wear red and green robes. They sit on wooden chairs with feet resting on footstools, hands extended toward the table, which holds a bowl of red fruit and a multicolored cloth. A tree and a simple building appear in the background against a blue sky, with gold wings and circular halos emphasizing the sacred setting.

‘MY CRY is to all that live’ – Wisdom’s inclusive call to love and be loved, my reflection for #TrinitySunday, was the 9th most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/06/15/my-cry-is-to-all-that-live-wisdoms-inclusive-call-to-love-and-be-loved #2025review

A wax figure of Shrek and Gingy at Madame Tussauds, London. PHOTO: Hubert555, Wikimedia Commons

MY REFLECTION on #faithfulness, #humility and #Shrek was the 10th most viewed new post on my blog in 2025: abravefaith.com/2025/11/01/faithful-and-humble-living-the-gospel-when-no-ones-watching/ #2025review

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Over the next few days I'll share the most read posts on my blog from 2025 #2025review

Light in the darkness: Prayers for a Christmas carol service Responsive prayers for a Christmas carol service, rooted in Scripture and centred on the ancient Christian prayer Maranatha - holding together Christ’s coming at Christmas and the hope of his coming again.

Responsive prayers for a Christmas carol service, rooted in Scripture and centred on the ancient Christian prayer Maranatha - holding together Christ’s coming at Christmas and the hope of his coming again.

Listening to the music of the soul: The grandest and rawest outcry ‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my eighth and final musical moment.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to create 'your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my final musical moment.

Listening to the music of the soul: I wanna see you be brave The artwork for the single released in April 2013 AS THIS ADVENT SEASON invites us to ponder the mystery of Jesus’s coming at Christmas, I’m sharing a series of reflections inspired by Listening to the Music of the Soul, the Archbishop of York’s Advent book for 2025 by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani. In her exploration of faith, identity, beauty and vulnerability, Bishop Guli invites us to listen for the melodies that shape our inner lives and connect us more deeply with God and one another.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my seventh.

Listening to the music of the soul: Wisdom in secret things ‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my sixth.

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my sixth.

Listening to the music of the soul: Standing at the crossroads 'LISTENING to the Music of the Soul' by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you'. Here's my fifth.

'LISTENING to the Music of the Soul' by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you'. Here's my fifth.

Listening to the music of the soul: True Colors ‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chaptersinspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Dese…

'LISTENING to the Music of the Soul' by Guli Francis-Dehqani is inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself'. Here's my fourth.
abravefaith.com/2025/12/20/l...

A square diagram of musical staff notation divided into sections, showing short melodic patterns written on treble staves. Each melody is color-coded (pink, orange, green, blue, and black) to distinguish different parts or voices, illustrating layered musical lines, likely representing variations in a canon.

INSPIRED by 8 pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you'. Here's my third.
abravefaith.com/2025/12/19/l...

Listening to the music of the soul: Don’t give up A still from the video of Don't Give Up with Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush AS THIS ADVENT SEASON invites us to ponder the mystery of Jesus’s coming at Christmas, I’m sharing a series of reflections inspired by Listening to the Music of the Soul, the Archbishop of York’s Advent book for 2025 by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani. In her exploration of faith, identity, beauty and vulnerability, Bishop Guli invites us to listen for the melodies that shape our inner lives and connect us more deeply with God and one another.

INSPIRED by 8 pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters. The author invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you'. Here's my second.

Listening to the music of the soul: Walk among them, I’ll go with you Inspired by eight pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into eight chapters. The author also invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you'. Here's my first.

INSPIRED by 8 pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters. The author invites us to 'have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs... to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you'. Here's my first.

THE THEME of the 2nd week of #Advent is #Peace.
In 2019 our Director Kieran joined the #JourneyOfHope, a leadership programme in peace-making & reconciliation, to help him reconcile LGBTQIA+ Christians & mainstream church. WATCH: youtu.be/-hYzvTmM_YI [4.5 mins] #RoomAtTheTable

Gifts that change us: An Advent reflection 6th December is the feast of St Nicholas, patron saint of children. In the Middle Ages, there was a tradition of electing a Boy Bishop - a reminder to hear the wisdom of the young.

6th December is the feast of St Nicholas, patron saint of children. In many countries, this is the time for gift-giving rather than Christmas Day. In the Middle Ages, there was a tradition of electing a Boy Bishop, a reminder to hear the wisdom of the young.

Called by name – A reflection for Trans Day of Remembrance EACH YEAR, on 20th November, Transgender Day of Remembrance [TDOR] is observed in memory of trans people who have lost their lives through prejudice and violence during the past year. Last Saturday, as part of his training for ordination in the Methodist Church, I shared this reflection for TDOR in the college chapel.

#TransDayOfRemembrance #TDOR honours trans lives lost to prejudice and violence in the past year. Last weekend I shared this reflection as part of my Methodist ordination training.

Faithful and humble: Living the Gospel when no-one’s watching Every church has them - the quiet heroes. The ones who turn up early, serve faithfully, and never seek attention. In a world that prizes recognition, Paul’s letter to Timothy and Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector remind us of something different: that God values faithfulness and humility, even - and especially - when no one’s watching.

LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist minister, I shared this brief reflection on faithfulness and humility - and Shrek!