Rainbow Ministry [Queer-Affirming Christian Meet-up]

What is Rainbow Ministry?

Rainbow Ministry is a welcoming space for queer people and allies who are interested in gathering around connection, reflection, and shared presence in a faith-rooted setting.
The ministry is part of a church rooted in the Anglican tradition, with a strong commitment to inclusion and dignity in how it approaches faith and community, but you do not need to be Christian to join.
You do not need to be baptised, practising, or certain about what you believe.

This is not a space for conversion, persuasion, or having answers.
You are welcome to come as you are, with your questions, your doubts, your faith, or your uncertainty.
What matters is a shared respect for the values that shape the space: care for one another, openness, and inclusivity.

Rainbow Ministry exists especially for queer people who may not always have felt fully at ease in church settings, but it is open to anyone who approaches the group with goodwill and respect. It’s a place to be together, to share fellowship, and to make room for prayer, reflection, and silence at your own pace.
What the evening looks like
We meet weekly in a church setting in central Paris (The exact time and location will be shared once your membership has been approved).

The evening follows a gentle and welcoming rhythm:

Arriving for the first time

If this is your first time with us, we invite you to arrive between 7:45 and 8:00pm.

This allows time for one of the group leaders to welcome you, say hello, and answer any questions you might have before the evening settles in. It’s the easiest moment to arrive if you’re new.

There is also an inclusive prayer service from 7:00 to 7:45pm, which you are very welcome to attend if you wish. That said, for a first visit, arriving from 7:45pm is usually more comfortable, as it allows for a more personal welcome.

Fellowship (8:00–9:00pm)

From 8:00pm, we share an hour of fellowship: informal conversation, connection, and food.

If you’re able to, we encourage you to bring something to share. This can be very simple, and it definitely doesn’t have to be homemade! No worries if you can’t, but sharing food is often a lovely, natural way to introduce yourself.

Prayer, reflection, and meditation (from 9:00pm)

At around 9:00pm, we move into a quieter time together in the cathedral space.

This usually includes:

• prayer or reflective words
• poetry or short readings
• around 15 minutes of shared meditation or silence

The setting is candlelit and contemplative, in a historic building that many people find grounding and peaceful.

You’re welcome to participate fully by doing one of the readings, or simply sit and be present. There is no obligation to speak, pray aloud, or share.

A note on privacy and joining

To offer greater privacy and to protect our members, this is a private Meetup group.
Further practical details about the group, the venue, and upcoming evenings are shared after your membership has been approved.
To help us do that, please make sure to answer the few short questions when you request to join. They’re simply there to help us keep the space safe and aligned.

Church context & language

Our congregation is English-speaking. You do not need to be a native English speaker to join — we are a diverse and international community — but a basic working knowledge of English is recommended. Prayers are offered in both English and French where possible, and fellowship usually takes place in English. We use a bilingual leaflet for prayers, so you can always follow along in French if that helps.

Many of us also speak French, and you’re very welcome if English is not your first language.

Our values

The Rainbow Ministry is a radically welcoming, affirming, and caring prayer group.
We, and our wider parish community, offer a radical welcome regardless of language, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, differing abilities, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, creed, or class, recognising that we are called to pursue justice and advocate for the vulnerable.

A few gentle boundaries

Rainbow Ministry brings together people with a wide range of gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, family set-ups, backgrounds, and life experiences.
We ask everyone to be mindful of this diversity, and to approach one another with care, especially if you meet people whose experiences or identities are unfamiliar to you.
This is a space where curiosity is natural, but where people are not expected to introduce or define themselves publicly. Please be mindful of the kinds of questions you ask, and avoid putting others on the spot in group settings or as a way of breaking the ice.
For example, we ask that you don’t ask someone, in front of the group, what their sexual orientation or gender identity is. People will share what they want, when they want, and in the way that feels right to them.

As in any shared space, it’s usually best to let conversation unfold naturally, with attentiveness and respect for one another.

This group is not a place to promote views that question the dignity or belonging of others.
These boundaries are here to help the space remain safe, calm, and genuinely welcoming for everyone.