HeartEdge update

With 90 plus churches and organisations in the movement HeartEdge is demonstrating our potential to be an ecumenical and international network of churches and other organisations. We are growing an international support network for developing commercial work, cultural activity, compassionate response to social need and congregational life (the HeartEdge 4Cs).

Our vision is of a global movement renewing the local church, sustaining lively and dynamic communities in a thriving society. As such we have an ongoing programme to resource our members and are seeking to regularly add to our resources, as we want HeartEdge to be a useful community, a ‘go-to’ resource, and a source of energy and encouragement.

Collaboration and sharing of experience is what makes HeartEdge such a valuable network – our interactive events are therefore particularly appreciated. In May, we held our first HeartEdge Introductory day outside the UK, in Amsterdam, working with two of our member churches in the Netherlands. Closer to home, in June, we led introductory days in Newcastle and Derby. We’ve also held two consultancy days in the past two months, and are planning others in the autumn; let us know if that would be of interest to you and your church.

Looking ahead our main activities continue to involve sharing, connecting, consultancy and developing:

• Interviews: Our latest online resources are firstly, a conversation with Bishop Michael Curry and Xolani Dlwati, Dean of HeartEdge member St Mary the Virgin Cathedral Johannesburg, responding to four questions inspired by HeartEdge - https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/heartedge-interview-bishop-michael-curry-and-dean-xolani-dlwati/. Secondly, an interview with Sam Wells recorded during the HeartEdge event in Amsterdam in May 2019, when Sam was asked about ‘being with’, the social outreach of St Martin-in the-Fields and the ethos of the HeartEdge movement -https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/sam-wells-being-with/.
• Greenbelt: We will be at Greenbelt with a panel session on ‘Wit and wisdom from the margins’ with Revd Sally Hitchiner (Diverse Church), Fiona MacMillan (Inclusive Church), Revd Bev Thomas (Amani Consultancy), Jackie Elton (Single Friendly Church). People and communities so often overlooked, looked past or downright ignored – in society and in the church – have so much to teach us about who we are called to be. Join a panel of church leaders and thinkers all with lived experience of various marginalisation – whether disabled, BAME, LGBT+ or single – as together we remind ourselves that the 'calling from the edge’ is what shapes our prophetic and political thinking best, enabling us to be most truly who we might be – as individuals, as society, and as the church. Venue – Pagoda, 3.30pm, Saturday 24 August.
• Website: Over the summer the HeartEdge website goes live – for connecting with others and finding resource. It will include new information about our network visible to all, a simpler joining process, and a new members’ only section, where you will be able to find resources and other churches like you more easily. The new front pages will have a lighter and more appealing feel, and give more information about our growing network; there are more details about our 4Cs, what we do, and our membership benefits. We will update when its ready. We hope you’ll find it helpful.
• TryTank Experimental Lab: New HeartEdge member, TryTank Experimental Lab is helping to expand the HeartEdge network in the US by sponsoring the first year of membership for 20 US congregations to join the network -https://www.trytank.org/heartedge-usa.html.
• HeartEdge Conference: In October we welcome US theologian Winnie Varghese, asset-based community worker Cormac Russell, and many other exciting contributors for a two-day conference – a gathering of the HeartEdge community in Edinburgh (2 & 3 October – see attached flyer). The programme includes Sam Wells delivering the annual Chalmers Lecture series. This includes Sam’s lecture on ‘Entertaining Angels Unawares: It is More Blessed to Receive’ which is on 1 October, so you may want to consider coming early to hear that too! This two-day intensive will pack in lots and prioritise practical input and resources. We’ve kept costs down and there’s a subsidised rate for HeartEdge members – we hope you’ll be able to attend (register here - https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/ODYyLTEz/t using the special rate for members). Initial media coverage can be viewed at:https://www.lifeandwork.org/news/news/post/1213-us-theologian-to-speak-at-edinburgh-conference; http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/events/heartedge_conference; andhttp://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/2019/rev_dr_sam_wells_to_examine_renewal_in_the_church_during_chalmers_lectures.
• Within Conference: To be held at Church of the Servant King, Milton Keynes on 8 October. This will be a day run alongside the Watling Valley Partnership and the Diocese of Oxford, to explore a breadth of different approaches to spirituality. Includes input from Sam Wells and St Martin's Voices. Tickets can be booked here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/within-tickets-64982817356.
• ‘At the heart. On the edge': A day hosted by Rev Edward Carter, Vicar of St Peter Mancroft, 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 the Diocese of Norwich, St Peter Mancroft and St Martin’s. The day will be held at St Peter Mancroft on Wednesday 12 February 2020, 10 am to 3.30 pm. Register athttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/at-the-heart-on-the-edge-tickets-67692954449.

As of November last year, London Diocese designated St Martin-in-the-Fields a resource church, with HeartEdge as the resource offered. As a result, in October we are thrilled to be welcoming Revd Catherine Duce as Assistant Vicar for Partnership Development; the role will support the revitalisation of mission and ministry across the Diocese of London by offering HeartEdge events, networks and resources to the capital's churches.

This month we say thank you to Georgina Illingworth, our first Sheppard Scholar, and in September welcome Jessica White, who will be the Sheppard Scholar for the HeartEdge team during 2019/20. Jessica will be joined by other Sheppard Scholars at St Peter’s & All Saints Nottingham, St Peter Mancroft Norwich, The Parish Church of St Cuthbert’s Edinburgh and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

There is a huge amount we want HeartEdge to do! We are grateful for all you bring to this story, helping create a movement for change. I hope we get the opportunity to work together in the months and years ahead. So, do contact me to discuss ways your church could tap into HeartEdge resources more fully, including Consultancy Days, visits, Mission Model workshops, and more!

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Mark Heard - Rise From The Ruins.