Jo Inkpin Blog - Blessed Imp

queer Sydney Christians still growing

7/3/2025

Rainbow Christians Together came together, with the prompting of Equal Voices, for Sydney WorldPride 2023 and Pancake Pride was one of our events. We are not only still together and celebrating; we are growing. On the 4th of March 2025, we had another Pancake Pride, our third, and this time at St Stephen's Uniting Church in Macquarie Street Sydney.

speaking out on concerns about restricting protests near places of worship

17/2/2025

My address to the rally next to Sydney Town Hall tonight, on behalf of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), protesting the proposed NSW legislation on restricting protests near places of worship...

letting go with Pitt Street Uniting Church

3/2/2025

Yesterday was a special day as I stood down from ministry with Pitt Street Uniting Church to rewire for next steps ahead. I am so thankful for the wonderful love and greetings I have received and the terrific people who shared this time with me. My concluding address is to be found here, on the very appropriate feast of Candlemas, and below are some beautiful words written by a member of PSUC about the occasion...

letting go into rewirement

3/11/2024

It was a huge, very emotional, and landmark day for me today! I announced at Pitt Street Uniting Church that, on Sunday 2 February 2025 (Candlemas in my native traditions), I will step down from full-time licensed ministry in the Church. It is a decision that I have thought and prayed about at great length over a long period and which I believe is both right and timely.

Over almost four years now, I have rejoiced to share ministry with Pitt Street Uniting Church and that has been extraordinarily rich and fruitful, as well as sometimes demanding. I am deeply thankful for this and to so many people. However, due to a combination of pressing family, health, and vocational issues, it is time for me to step back and allow space for new developments in my own and the church’s journeys.

exploring 'A Gracious Heresy'

20/10/2024

A joy to host today a conversation with Connie Tuttle, founder of a Circle of Grace and author of A Gracious Heresy - with thanks to Aunty Karen Brown, Anthony Venn Brown, Benjamin Oh, the Marion Street sacred arts collective, Equal Voices and the Pitt Street UC team.

changing benches

23/9/2024

When my then very elderly grandad was struggling to walk through Lincoln at the end of his life, my dad said he tried to get him to rest on the seat here on historic High Bridge. ‘Never’, he said, ‘that bench is where the old folk sit!’ I always remember them both fondly whenever I’ve walked by - and, now I’m getting old, they’ve clearly made it even more welcome for me with those colours #heartland #prideinlincoln

helping Government see sense on its own commitments

14/9/2024

speaking at an Equality Australia media conference bringing Government back to sanity

Part of responsible ministry is holding people to their commitment to be their best selves. This applies to groups and organisations as well as individuals. Recently some of us have therefore had to stand up and press the Australian Government to stop its retreat from its own commitments to just and flourishing possibilities for disadvantaged and minoritised people, including TGD and other peoples of diverse identities. For the disappointment at the failure of last year's Referendum appear to have driven the Federal ALP into negative thinking. It has almost been as if the Government is doing the Opposition's own campaigning work for them. One example was the attempt to withdraw questions about sexual and gender diversity from the 2026 Census, a decision which would impact negatively on LGBTIQ+ people about whom there is a continuing paucity of helpful information for support and resourcing. I therefore once more found myself in the forefront of public and media attention in speaking up, including through Equal Voices' support for an Equality Australia organised open letter. Happily, for most sexually and gender diverse people, the Federal Government has changed direction again., though people with inter sex conditions are still left out. May strength and purpose continue grow within supportive circles in this country and beyond!

celebrating queer weddings

8/9/2024

It has been such a joy to share in, and officiate at, wedding ceremonies of wonderful queer people. Thankfully Pitt Street Uniting Church is one of those church communities rejoicing to share the feast of life, faith and delight in such beautiful expressions of love and commitment. Recent celebrations have in included the weddings of beautiful gay Catholic couples and another special one with both marriage partners coming from Orthodox Christian traditions in which the mystery of crowning is a sacral part of the marriage. Queerness in different types of faith everywhere eh? - I guess there’s a reason for ecumenical priesthood, opening up roads less traveled as we go

Original Bliss and queer ecological vision

1/9/2024

It has been a delight to open this year's global ecumenical Season of Creation at Pitt Street Uniting Church with the exhibition Original Bliss (on show until 13 October) by Dr Rod Pattenden, renowned artist and UCA MInister. The works celebrate the vibrancy of nature and the ecstasy of being alive, offering queer perspectives on faith as a place inhabited by diverse bodies that change during the shifting seasons of life.
As Rod Pattenden says: “These works disrupt the role of religion in defining boundaries, They open up more fluid and sensual experiences that celebrate the embodied nature of being human.” The exhibition thus brings together issues close to the hearts of Pitt Street Uniting Church – the environment, LGBT+ gifts and the interface of sexuality and spirituality. - and The vibrancy of the work beautifully complements the architecture and wooden fittings of the heritage building. It has thus be good to be able to offer this unique and powerful exhibition to the city of Sydney. For more information go here

in praise of true allies

8/8/2024

It was a real delight to meet up with Andrew Dodd again yesterday. Andrew is Lead Pastor of the open, lively, and fully affirming Hamilton Baptist Church in Newcastle NSW - and, as well as being a wonderful person, has been a brilliant ally and model (as a true 'accomplice', willing and able to bear the cost) of how to lead a congregation through the process of full LGBTQ+ inclusion (even in the face of the sad rejections by the NSW Baptist Federation).