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Saturday 29 September 2018

Journey: an exhibition by commission4mission at All Hallows by the Tower



'Journey' is a group show by commission4mission artists at All Hallows by the Tower from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 27 October. The exhibition can be viewed during the church’s normal opening hours – Mon – Fri 10.00am – 6.00pm, Sat – Sun 10.00am – 5.00pm (except during services). The Private View is on 15 October, beginning at 6pm.

The title and theme for the exhibition can be understood in terms of journeys that are emotional, pilgrimage, personal, biblical etc. We encouraged our artists to reflect broadly on the theme and 23 artists have responded with imagery that ranges from birth and death (the journey of life) to geographical journeys (including street scenes), plastic pollution (blown or washed around the globe), and Stations of the Cross, among others. A mix of abstract and representational imagery has been created, utilising ceramics, collage, digital illustration, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture.

The exhibition includes work by Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Irina Bradley, Cathie Chappell, Christopher Clack, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Mary Donaghey, Maurizio Galia, Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Laura Grenci, Barbara Harris, Deborah Harrison, David Hawkins, Anthony Hodgson, Mark Lewis, David Millidge, Dorothy Morris, Janet Roberts, and Henry Shelton.







‘6 years and 26 miles’ by Hayley Bowen depicts the pilgrimage of 15 year old Mary Jones, a girl from a poor Welsh family, who in the year 1800 walked 26 miles barefoot to the town of Bala (and back again) across rough countryside to buy a copy of the Welsh language Bible from The Rev.Thomas Charles after saving up for one for six years. The story inspired the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

David Hawkins and Dorothy Morris both make use of household plastics in their work. David writes: "2018 has seen carrier bags become the latest culprits of pollution. Yet, backlit by the sun they become angels, and remind us to look for ‘heaven in ordinary’. The Celts celebrated the sacred in everyday life. Even our plastic bags ‘caught in a thicket’ can pose as messengers on Jacob’s ladder, in Mary’s parlour or over the shepherds’ fields. As Donald Allchin used to say, ‘the mundane is the edge of glory’."

Dorothy Morris says of her work: "These little paintings tell the story of the journey of our household plastics ending up polluting our seas. I live in an idyllic place by an estuary and one day I went for a 20 minute walk and collected 3 bin bags of rubbish! From this walk I have created 30 6x6 canvas images altogether, which I combine in sets of 4 images."

During the period of the exhibition we have also organised City Art in Faith: A Guided Walk of selected churches in the City of London, 2-4pm, October 25th 2018. Meet at the entrance of All Hallows-by-the-Tower, Tower Hill. Guided by Mark Lewis, artist and lecturer. No charge but donations appreciated. This walk will include seven churches and Mark will give a brief historical context for each of the churches visited and discuss the contemporary works of art to be found there and the artists who produced them. We will also see examples of contemporary commissioned street sculpture while walking between venues. Churches to be visited: All Hallows-by-the-Tower – St Edmund King and Martyr - St Mary Woolnoth – St Stephen Walbrook – St Lawrence Jewry – St Mary-le-Bow – St Nicholas Cole Abbey. All churches feature in the City of London “Art of Faith” walk.

Our AGM will be held at 2.00pm at All Hallows by the Tower on Sunday 28 October. At the AGM Mark Lewis will provide information about next year's commission4mission Art Retreat with the Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea (7 - 10 May 2019).

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Johnny Cash and U2 - The Wanderer.

Windows on the world (414)


Norwich, 2017

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Arvo Pärt - De Profundis.

HeartEdge Mailer | September 2018

HeartEdge Mailer | September 2018

"A monthly smorgasbord of ideas, inspiration and resource
focused around HeartEdge 4 C's."

This month
  • News of HeartEdge events in Southend, Manchester and Inverness plus:
  • Congregation: Jean Vanier on being human, Maggi Dawn on Pilgrimage, Emma Ineson on clergy couples, Paula Gooder on Phoebe and Al Barrett on alertness to privilege and power.
  • Commerce: Tips and tactics on making the building work from Locality and transitioning from charity to commercial enterprise.
  • Compassion: Asset Based Community Development, Paulo Freire and Gary Salole on collaboration and scaling up, plus Housing Justice on winter night shelters and 'Just Act'.
  • Culture: Poetry and prayer with Eugene Peterson and Jericho Brown, Jocelyn Bell Burnell on Pulsars and Ben Quash on space, place and God.
HeartEdge is an international ecumenical movement of churches and other organisations developing mission focused on commercial activity, congregations, cultural engagement and compassion.

Click here to read September's Mailer.

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Henryk Gorecki - Szeroka Woda.

Friday 28 September 2018

Review - Exhibition of Works by Helaine Blumenfeld OBE: Tree of Life

My latest exhibition review for the Church Times covers “Exhibition of Works by Helaine Blumenfeld OBE: Tree of Life” which is at Ely Cathedral until 28 October:

'“Tree of Life” is one of Blumenfeld’s largest exhibitions to date. Her work is well suited to display in the setting of a cathedral, both because the works themselves are all about possibility and hope, healing, and renewal, and also as their luscious expanses of cream and white combine with the flow of their organic curves to contrast with the soaring vertical lines of Ely’s expanses.'

I have also written about Blumenfeld for Artlyst - click here to read.

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Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi.

Visual art: re-imaging the Christian narrative

Yesterday I gave a talk at St Luke's Maidenhead entitled 'Visual art: re-imaging the Christian narrative' in which I argued that, just as the Gospel story needs to be told afresh for every generation, so art used by the church similarly needs to be re-imaged and re-imagined for each generation.

By way of illustration I used examples of artwork with which I have had an association at different stages of my ordained ministry to explore the benefits to the Church of engaging with this re-imaging. These included:
I suggested that these examples demonstrate that through all forms of contemporary art and using permanent commissions, exhibitions, temporary installations and community art projects it is possible to re-image the Christian story in ways that bring new theological insights to congregations and enable those outside the church to engage with the Christian narrative in ways that would not otherwise be the case. A true diversity of art is needed in order for the Gospel story to genuinely be told afresh for every generation in every context.

The talk was given while Maidenhead Painting Club are holding an exhibition at the church on the theme of water. Their excellent exhibition can be viewed during church opening hours until Sunday 30 September.

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Iona - Wind, Water & Fire.

Thursday 27 September 2018

At the heart. On the edge.



Following the recent HeartEdge conference, our next HeartEdge events are two Introductory Days in Manchester and Inverness:

  • at the heart. on the edge. Wednesday 31 October 2018 at St Peter's House, Oxford Road, Manchester. Exploring mission, sharing ideas, uncovering solutions and finding support. A day with Revd Dr Sam Wells and guests. Panel discussion, theology, practical ‘how to’ focus. Networking. Connecting. Lunch & refreshments. Refreshments 10am. Programme 10.30am. Finish 3.30pm. Book in here - http://bit.ly/2LDT7Es.
  • ‘At the heart. On the edge.' Tuesday 13 November, 10.00am - 3.30pm. A day hosted by Rev Fiona Smith, Minister of Ness Bank Parish Church, and Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the- Fields, which includes theology, ideas, solutions and support for re-imagining Church. A programme has been developed jointly by Ness Bank Church and St Martin’s. The day, to be held at Ness Bank Church on Tuesday 13 November 10 am to 3.30 pm, will explore, with contributions from local churches, mission and ministry in relation to the four pillars of HeartEdge: Congregation; Commerce; Compassion; and Culture. Among those contributing are: Rev Sarah Murray (Provost St Andrew’s Cathedral Inverness), Allan Dunbar (Christians Against Poverty debt programme), Isobel Grigor (Chief Executive of Calman Trust), Rev Fiona Smith (Inverness Foodstuff). St Martin’s Fellows directed by Andrew Earis with perform Great Sacred Music, a 35-minute sequence of choral music speaking to heart, head and soul which explores through song and readings the great classical music of our religious heritage. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/at-the-heart-on-the-edge-tickets-48122091471


Other HeartEdge speaking engagements include:

  • How can church survive and thrive in the context of world and kingdom? Sam Wells at Bell Vue Baptist Southend on Wednesday 3 October, 6.30-9.30pm (Bell Vue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea, SS1 2QA). Doors open 6pm. Talk 1: 6.30pm Break: 7.45pm Talk 2: 8.20pm. Details here and here.
  • Salt Conference 2018: #StandTogether, Friday, 5 October 2018 – 9.30am to 4.30pm at Central Hall Westminster, Storey's Gate, London SW1H 9NH. Organised by Christian Aid's SALT Business Network to learn how to support and equip changemakers in whichever business God has called you to. With business leaders from a range of sectors on how they’re transforming business, communities and lives. HeartEdge will run a workshop on Start:Stop. Conference guests include: Michael Hastings – Global Head of Citizenships for KPMG International; David Connor – founder of the 2030hub and Coethica; Sophi Tranchell MBE – Managing Director of Divine Chocolate, the innovative international Fairtrade cocoa cooperative in Ghana; and Martin Rich – cofounder and Executive Director of Future Fit Foundation. Tickets cost £55. Details here.
HeartEdge is an emerging network initiated by St Martin-in-the-Fields - more here http://bit.ly/2mRUzWX.

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Bruce Cockburn - Strong Hand of Love

Wednesday 26 September 2018

CTiW: Prayer Vigil & Meet the Neighbours



CTiW Prisons Mission PRAYER VIGIL

19 October 2018 | 7.00-11.00 pm, Notre Dame de France, 5 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX - A sequence of readings, dialogue, testimonies, reflections, music and prayer on the themes of prison reform, rehabilitation of prisoners, needs of victims and the Christian response. This is an inter-denominational and inter-faith event. All are welcome.

British prisons are described, by successive HM Chief Inspectors as “dirty, dangerous, vermin infested and unsafe” and the whole system is in crisis. We lock up more men, women and children, per head of population, and we detain them for longer than any other western European nation. But, we do not have more crime. The reoffending rates are also worse than our neighbours. Despite many very good staff and chaplains, these prisons are not a suitable environment within which to begin the process of recovery and rehabilitation. Not serving the needs of prisoners, victims of crime, or tax-payers. Join others in prayer and vigil as Christians of all denominations seek to deepen our awareness and compassion.

CTiW “Meet the Neighbours” at St Martin-in-the-Fields

On Wednesday, 24 October beginning at 6.30pm with Bread for the World, St Martin’s will host our friends from Churches Together in Westminster who will also join us for soup and roll in No 6 St Martin’s Place at 7.30pm before having a talk about the ministry of St Martin’s in the Dick Sheppard Chapel at 8.00pm.

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Morten Lauridsen - O Magnum Mysterium.

Proclaim the kingdom of God afresh in each generation

Here's my reflection from today's Choral Eucharist at St Martin-in-the-Fields (using material from Exciting Holiness and the Church Army)

Imagine a church that is full of people who are worshipping God together, content with the Sunday services and happy with things as they are. Along comes a young curate on fire with the gospel wanting to spread the Good News to people who wouldn’t dream of setting foot inside a church. In 1882 this was the dilemma which Wilson Carlile faced. In response he established Church Army with a vision to train ordinary Christian men and women to reach those most in need with the gospel. As Church Army grew Carlile also focused the charity’s work on the slums of Westminster – one of the darkest spots in London.

Wilson Carlile was born in 1847 in Brixton. He suffered from a spinal weakness all his life, which hampered his education. He entered his grandfather's business at the age of thirteen but soon moved on and learned French fluently, which he used to good advantage in France trading in silk. He later learned German and Italian to enhance his business but was ruined in the slump of 1873. After a serious illness, he began to treat his religion more seriously and became confirmed in the Church of England. He acted as organist to Ira D Sankey during the Moody and Sankey missions and, in 1881, was ordained priest, serving his curacy at St Mary Abbots in Kensington, together with a dozen other curates.

The lack of contact between the Church and the working classes was a cause of real concern to him and he began outdoor preaching. In 1882, he resigned his curacy and founded the Church Army, four years after the founding of the Salvation Army. Under his influence it thrived and he continued to take part in its administration until a few weeks before his death on this day in 1942. By combining his message (his words) with actions (practical care in the slums of Westminster), Carlile was doing what the apostles commissioned by Jesus were called to do when he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

Jesus sent his disciples out with a message about the kingdom of God. They were to tell the people to whom they went that the kingdom of God was coming. The kingdom of God was beginning to be seen in the world in the ministry of Jesus who was making the love of God manifest in the lives of those he met and the society of his day. The kingdom of God would also begin to come in a more universal way through Christ’s sacrifice of his life on the cross for all people and his rising from the dead as the first fruits of the resurrection of all into a new heaven and new earth. As a sign of that coming kingdom where love and reconciliation, justice and peace are to be found, Jesus’ disciples showed the love and care of God in their healing ministry; healings, which in the culture of their day, enabled those who had been excluded from the community and from worship to be included within society. The practical care for others that the apostles showed as they told people about the coming kingdom of God was a tangible sign of what that kingdom would be like when it came.

We are still called and equipped by God to do the same and Wilson Carlile stands before us today as an example of that same call. The Declaration of Assent which is made by deacons, priests and bishops of the Church of England when we are ordained and on each occasion when we take up a new appointment includes the call proclaim the Christian faith afresh in each generation bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making Him known to those in your care.

The call to proclaim the kingdom of God afresh in each generation is a call to re-imagine that kingdom for our own day and time, not to simply repeat the way in which the kingdom of God was revealed in previous generations. The Church Army and the Church of England today seek to shape themselves in relation to the culture in which we are located in order to transform, through welcome and hospitality, individuals and the community that we serve, through the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit.

Three current signs of the kingdom practised here at St Martin’s as expressions of the radical welcome and inclusion found in the kingdom of God are our ministry with those who are rough sleeping or without recourse to public funds through The Connection and the Sunday International Group, our support of International Projects for which you can pray using the leaflet ‘Encountering out International Neighbours’ and our Autumn Lecture Series which focuses on encountering God through those who are different from us, in particular people of other faiths. I encourage you to find out more about these as a way of exploring your call to share news of the coming kingdom of God.

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Saturday 22 September 2018

Re-imaging faith & contemplating art

I'm looking forward to speaking at St Luke's Maidenhead on Thursday 27 September at 7.45pm. I'll be giving an illustrated presentation on 'Visual Art: re-imaging the Christian story'. Details here.

In my talk I'll be arguing that the Gospel story needs to be told afresh for every generation. Art used by the church similarly needs to be re-imaged and re-imagined for each generation. My ordained ministry has provided a wide range of opportunities to engage with such re-imaging and I therefore want to share some examples from the churches with which I have been associated to explore the benefits to the Church of engaging with this re-imaging.

In the talk that I gave last Thursday at the HeartEdge church & culture event on visual art at St Cuthbert's Edinburgh argued that the kind of looking that is needed to view art has significant synergies with the practices of prayer and contemplation in the Christian tradition. In the talk I highlighted the ways in which slowness, stillness and silence aid contemplation in both contexts and suggested that paying attention begins with an immersion in dimensions and details before considering sources, context and responses.

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Michael McDermott - Carry Your Cross.

Windows on the world (413)


Ely, 2018

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Ty Tabor - Go Missing.

Friday 21 September 2018

HeartEdge: Bill Viola and the art of contemplation









The latest HeartEdge event was hosted by the Parish Church of St Cuthbert in Edinburgh and sought to support churches in their cultural programming, particularly as it relates to visual art, by exploring approaches to curating exhibitions in churches, Bill Viola's church-located installations, and art as contemplative or meditative practice.

At HeartEdge, we have been inspired by the example of St Cuthbert’s in their installation of Bill Viola's 'Three Women'. This had been a particularly successful installation as a contribution to the Edinburgh Festival, in the connections it has forged with the Arts community and the local community, and in the positive press coverage received. All this has been with an understanding of the way in which the installation connects with the spirituality of St Cuthbert's.

HeartEdge seeks to share good practice and ideas with our members, so it made good sense to hold an event here exploring ways in which the mission of the church can be enhanced through art and the Christian narrative re-imaged and re-imagined.

Laura Moffatt, Director of Art & Christianity, reviewed Bill Viola's various installations in churches considering how and why they connect with our sacred buildings. Matthew Askey shared his experiences of curating significant exhibitions at Southwell Minster in recent years, considering ways of bringing exciting and varied work into churches by utilising sacred space well and connecting sympathetically with the spirituality of our churches.

I spoke about the contemplative nature of the experience of viewing art and made connections with approaches to and understanding of prayer. Finally, Alexander de Cadenet spoke as an artist for whom meditation has become of increasing significance, to the extent that he has begun seeking out other artist's with similar experience with whom he work together in a new organisation called Awakened Artists.

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James MacMillan - A New Song

Wednesday 19 September 2018

Encounters: The Art of Interfaith Dialogue











Launched at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 17 September, Encounters is a groundbreaking project by artist Nicola Green in collaboration with King’s College London, Cambridge University, and Coexist House.

For the past ten years Nicola Green has gained extraordinary access to meetings between religious leaders around the world. Travelling from the UK to Italy, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, India, and the United States she witnessed meetings between representatives of all of the world’s major religions. She had the privilege to meet Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Baha’i, Jain, Confucian, Humanist, Shinto, and indigenous leaders. Along the way, Green earned the trust of figures including former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Pope Francis, former Grand Mufti of Egypt Ali Gomaa, former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama.

Green observed that we are entering a new era in interreligious relations: for the first time in history, religious leaders have begun to sit down together and consider possibilities for cooperation, dialogue, and friendship, overcoming historically deep divides. Together, they are leading the way towards a dialogue which respects and honours differing beliefs, without compromising the truth of their own traditions.Encounters is an exploration of difference. How can people of different faiths, or none, communicate strongly held convictions, whilst respectfully allowing others to do the same? Green hopes viewers will think about our relationship to those we consider ‘other’ and how this, in turn, shapes our own identity.

The works in Encounters are presented in two forms: The Light Series and The Encounter Series. The Encounter Series is a collection of portraits of global religious leaders, portraying the meetings which the artist has witnessed over the past decade. The Light Series is made up of twelve life-sized figures of religious leaders, viewers are able to meet them in one space together for the first time.

Nicola Green is an internationally acclaimed artist based in London. Inspired by her mixed-heritage family, Green explores themes of identity, race, faith, power, gender and leadership. Green’s work In Seven Days… documenting Obama’s 2008 election, has received international acclaim and is described by The Metropolitan Museum of Art as ‘an artistic and historic masterpiece’.

Green co-founded the Diaspora Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale 2017 and her work is in the permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, The Library of Congress, and the Courtauld Institute.

The Encounters exhibition is accompanied by a book published by Brepols publishers titled Encounters: The Art of Interfaith Dialogue.

The exhibition supports the Autumn Lecture Series at St Martin-in-the-Fields with lectures which focus on the theme of encounter. How are we changed by the people, events or objects we encounter when we meet them face-to-face? How do prejudices shift? How are new insights born? What inspires us to new ways of being and relating to God and to others? How do we become who we truly are through those we meet? How do we encounter God in our lives? In each of these lectures prominent and inspirational leaders, thinkers and practitioners will be speaking from a personal but also public perspective about the way such encounters have changed the course of their lives.

The first lecture in the series was given by Rowan Williams after opening the Encounters exhibition. I have compiled a preview of Encounters for Artlyst - click here to read.

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Leonard Cohen - Steer Your Way.

Saturday 15 September 2018

Windows on the world (412)


Kettering, 2018

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Dry The River - Vessel.

Journey exhibition & Art in Faith City Walk


‘Journey’ is a group show by commission4mission artists at All Hallows by the Tower (Byward Street, London EC3R 5BJ) from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 27 October 2018.

The title and theme for the exhibition can be understood in terms of journeys that are emotional, pilgrimage, personal, biblical etc.

We encouraged our artists to reflect broadly on the theme and 23 artists have responded with imagery that ranges from birth and death (the journey of life) to geographical journeys (including street scenes), plastic pollution (blown or washed around the globe), and Stations of the Cross, among others.

A mix of abstract and representational imagery has been created, utilising ceramics, collage, digital illustration, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture.

The exhibition includes work by Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Irina Bradley, Cathie Chappell, Christopher Clack, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Mary Donaghey, Maurizio Galia, Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Laura Grenci, Barbara Harris, Deborah Harrison, David Hawkins, Anthony Hodgson, Mark Lewis, David Millidge, Dorothy Morris, Janet Roberts, and Henry Shelton.

The exhibition can be viewed during the church’s normal opening hours – Mon – Fri 10.00am – 6.00pm, Sat – Sun 10.00am – 5.00pm (except during services).

The Private View will be held on Monday 15 October from 6.00pm.

During the period of the exhibition we will also will hold our AGM. Our AGM will be held at 2.00pm at All Hallows by the Tower on Sunday 28 October. We hope many of you will attend. At the AGM Mark Lewis will provide information about next year’s commission4mission Art Retreat with the Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea (7 – 10 May 2019).


City Art in Faith: A Guided Walk of selected churches in the City of London
2-4pm, October 25th 2018
Meet at the entrance of All Hallows-by-the-Tower, Tower Hill
Guided by Mark Lewis, artist and lecturer
No charge but donations appreciated

This walk will include seven churches and Mark will give a brief historical context for each of the churches visited and discuss the contemporary works of art to be found there and the artists who produced them. We will also see examples of contemporary commissioned street sculpture while walking between venues.

Churches to be visited: All Hallows-by-the-Tower – St Edmund King and Martyr
St Mary Woolnoth – St Stephen Walbrook – St Lawrence Jewry – St Mary-le-Bow – St Nicholas Cole Abbey.

All churches feature in the City of London “Art of Faith” walk.

The last church to be visited is near Mansion House Underground.

Maximum group of 20. Booking is essential. Please contact: Mark Lewis: T: 020 8504 5840 E: mlewis342@gmail.com.

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Paul Simon - Graceland.

Friday 14 September 2018

Commerce, Compassion, Culture, Congregation … It’s All Church!

 


























 










In our view commerce, compassion, culture and congregation are essential and are all church! +Paul Bayes, David Ellis, Paul Goodliff, Rosemarie Mallett, Ann Morisy, Ben Quash, Anthony Reddie, Miranda Thelfall-Holmes, Maeve Sherlock, ++Justin Welby, Sam Wells and Lucy Winkett were just some of those who helped us explore these themes.

The HeartEdge two day intensive provided theology, ideas, resources, plus time to make connections, find encouragements and enjoy jazz.
Contributions to the programme from St Martin’s included a Great Sacred Music with St Martin’s Voices featuring the hymns and poetry of Robert Bridges, a wonderfully reflective Bread for the World Eucharist led by the Nazareth Community, and Jazz in the Café with The Fabulations.

There was lots of comment on social media about the conference which gives a flavour of the content and people’s reactions. This included:
  • The first HeartEdge Conference coming to an end at Lambeth Palace - a fantastic two days. Thank you to the St Martin’s team for organising it! It has been energising!
  • What an absolutely jam-packed, inspiring, wonderful couple of days at the HeartEdge conference!
  • Day 2 of the HeartEdge conference was fantastic. Thank you to Lambeth Palace for your hospitality. Great to hear from, among others, Lucy Winkett, Sam Wells, Rosemarie Mallet, Anthony Reddie, Paul Bayes, Miranda Threllfall-Holmes. Oh, and Justin Welby!
  • Spent two good days at the HeartEdge conference - came away thinking about sacred music, Jesus’ body parts and this Table, and what it might mean to see the church as guest not host.
  • Hospitality; host vs guest; margins vs centre; engaging with communities.
  • Great to be at the HeartEdge annual conference today at Lambeth Palace. Inspiring mix of denominations coming together, with wise words on celebrating success from Justin Welby.
  • This afternoon Paul Bayes & co are talking real life for many, not just in North West.
  • Really amazing speech and presentation by Paul Bayes and the Liverpool team at the HeartEdge conference! Really challenging and engaging stuff.
  • The Bishop of Liverpool Paul Bayes (a Bradford lad) gave a brilliant talk this afternoon at the HeartEdge conference. He may have single-handedly persuaded me to the merits of Episcopacy lol. Ok, not quite, but he was brilliant.
  • It's going to take a few days to process all the information! Then there's the small task of sharing all we experienced with our church! Thanks to St Martin’s and Lambeth Palace for the amazing welcome!
Our thanks to everyone at St Martin’s, in HeartEdge and among our contributors who made the conference such a special experience with great organisation, wonderful content, many new connections made and a significant development in our aim to create a new movement for renewal in the broad church.

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