A FLAGSHIP Methodist gathering in Birmingham which caters specifically to the LGBTQ+ community has been suspended since late April due to a safeguarding investigation.
Some of those whose initial complaints triggered the investigation have said that they were shut out of the church community after criticising the safeguarding process.
Inclusive Gathering Birmingham (IGB) runs as a pioneer church under the auspices of the Birmingham Methodist District. Its regular Sunday meetings were suspended after a verbal altercation between church officials and complainants at a Sunday gathering on 28 April.
The safeguarding matter at issue was complaints by IGB members (three of whom have spoken to the Church Times) of inappropriate touching by a person, who has since been faraway from the core leadership team. One complainant was told that the person was “only a hugger”.
At the 28 April gathering, the Birmingham District chair, the Revd Novette Headley, and the district mission adviser, Adam Sanders, giving a presentation, said that “the complainants have been made aware that the investigations have been accomplished.”
One of the complainants, who has asked to not be named, said on the gathering that he had not been interviewed, and that, when he continued to talk in regards to the complaints, Mr Sanders threatened to call the police.
It was later announced that no more gatherings could be held for 2 weeks, but this era was subsequently prolonged. Members of IGB’s broadcast-only WhatsApp group were told: “We haven’t been meeting to permit for space for safeguarding processes to be undertaken. We are reviewing the choice on whether to re-open weekly, but we’re committed to re-opening and reconnecting as soon as we will proceed constructing a protected and healing space.”
At least two of the complainants have been faraway from the WhatsApp group.
On Tuesday, the Deputy President of Birmingham District, the Revd Phil Warrey, said: “The safeguarding investigation concerning IGB has now finished, and concluded that there isn’t any further safeguarding risk arising from the unique complaints. Associated matters that got here out within the investigation have been referred back to ourselves within the District team, and these issues are currently being handled.
“Inclusive Gathering Birmingham has been on pause whilst the safeguarding investigation concluded and following an indication at one in all the services in late April. The group won’t meet until we will determine that the space is a protected one for all who attend, and would love that to occur as soon as possible, but we must do that in a timely manner.”
