Revd Sally Muggeridge R.I.P.

At the beginning of December 2025 I received the sad news of the death of The Rev Sally Muggeridge, who served with me at St Stephen Walbrook as our curate. Sally's obituary has recently been published by The Telegraph, who characterise her as an Anglican priest who defended the reputation of her renowned uncle Malcolm Muggeridge. Ordained a vicar after a career in business, she ministered to ‘stressed City workers’ while at St Stephen Walbrook.

The opportunity to minister at St Stephen Walbrook together with Sally was one that I greatly enjoyed and appreciated. I greatly valued having her as a colleague. She was a special colleague with great insight and ideas coupled with real humility and a servant heart. We were very fortunate to have enjoyed Sally’s assistance and ministry at St Stephen Walbrook during her curacy and were particularly grateful for the links she established with the City and with businesses locally. 

Her pastoral heart combined with her business experience and insights was absolutely the right combination for ministry at Walbrook. Her understanding of the pressures of life in the City helped her provide the support others needed. As she said in an FT profile, “My role is now one of pastoral care of stressed City workers. So many seek chats, prayers, a quick discussion [about] a worry about family life and work. A prayer needed, a smile, a service — I can help with examples and encouragement.”'

Her time with us, as well as creating new links and initiatives with the business community, also broke down barriers as she was the first woman to preside at the Eucharist in St Stephen Walbrook. It was a privilege to be at the ‘At Home’ for WATCH during which she celebrated her first Eucharist and became the first woman to celebrate the Eucharist in that church. Her legacy also includes all she did to work on the legacy of Malcolm Muggeridge and I also remember our conversations about him and his impact with real pleasure. I will always remember her time with us and all she brought to ministry with deep gratitude.

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Choral Classics with the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Talking the talk and walking the walk

Here's the sermon that I shared at St Andrew's Wickford this morning:

If we say that someone talks the talk but does not walk the walk, we mean that they do not act in a way that agrees with the things they say.

In politics, Dan Hodges has written, “there are a multitude of forgivable sins. Cheat on your wife. Lie about your record. Stab your colleague in the back. Lie with your colleague’s back-stabbing wife. The voters will tut, shake their heads, and move on. But there is one offence for which there is no pardon. Never, ever, under any circumstances, get caught preaching one thing at the public while practising another. Incompetence, duplicity, arrogance – each one hurts. Hypocrisy kills.”

Consistency also applies in business. William C. Taylor, author of Practically Radical: Not-So-Crazy Ways to Transform Your Company, Shake Up Your Industry, and Challenge Yourself, has written that, “One of the most ubiquitous aphorisms in business is that the best leaders understand the need to “walk the talk” — that is, their behavior and day-to-day actions have to match the aspirations they have for their colleagues and organization.”

Investors in People argue that “Everybody needs someone to look up to in the workplace. They want role models. This may seem like a daunting responsibility for a manager or employer, but it needn't be. It's largely just a matter of what we call ‘walking the talk’” and leading by example. “A manager's behaviour has an impact on everyone around them, and an effective manager is one who inspires their team by showing the way with their own actions.”

So, if we say that someone talks the talk but does not walk the walk, we mean that they do not act in a way that agrees with the things they say. The phrase “if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk” is a modern version of old sayings like “actions speak louder than words” and “practice what you preach.” Another early form of the expression was “walk it like you talk it.” Many people now condense this to “walk the talk.”

All these are essentially versions of James 1. 22, “be doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (James 1.19-27). If we are hearers of the word and not doers, we are like those who look at themselves in a mirror and immediately forget what they were like. “A first century mirror was not the silvered glass one without which no bathroom is complete today. It was beaten bronze and gave a fuzzy image. If you wanted to be sure your face was not dirty a quick glance was not sufficient. You would need to peer intently, work out what was required, then go and find some clean water to do something about it. The same is true of the way we react to encountering God. The real blessing of the Christian faith does not lie in listening to sermons or reciting liturgies, but in dwelling on what is true until it transforms what we do. A genuine encounter with Jesus provokes action.”

The action it produces is “care for orphans and widows in their distress.” Jesus said, in the Parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25.31-46), that God’s judgement on us will be based on our actions; giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting those in prison. These actions are to be the end result of our faith. If our looking deeply into God’s word does not result in our doing these things, our faith is not genuine and we are not walking the walk as Christians.

Too often we live life, James says, like people who look in the mirror and then immediately forget what we are actually like. The confession which precedes our Eucharist is our weekly opportunity to acknowledge the reality that we often talk the talk without walking the walk. It is our opportunity to turn away from insincerity and to seek the consistency in our faith to which James calls here. “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”

God’s vision for human beings is that we become holy servants. But this is not something that we can do by ourselves. It is something that happens together with God. It is God who has provided the mirror and God who has come into our world to show us in Jesus what living as a holy servant looks like. We see in Jesus’ life what that way of being human looks like in practice. But more than that, in Jesus, God is reaching out to us to show us that we are loved by him and that he sees our potential for change and for beauty.

In Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15. 11-32), the son rejects his identity as a child of his Father and leaves home to waste his life. Finally, when he is eating the food of pigs the son looks in the mirror to see himself as he actually is and decides to return home to his father and ask to become one of his servants. But the Father rejoices at his return and welcomes him home as the son he has always been although for a time he rejected that identity. This is a story about us and God. We reject our rightful identity as children of God living as holy servants. We forget what we really look like in the mirror and live as we choose. But when we come to see ourselves as we truly are and return to God we are welcomed as God’s children with all of our potential for becoming the people that he wants us to be.

David Runcorn has said that “the deepest awakening of all is to the discovery that we are loved with a wild, prodigal love – without condition.” We are then able to become those who love God with all their being and who love their neighbours as ourselves, because God has first loved us.

James says that if we look closely at ourselves in the mirror of God’s perfect law, paying attention and knowing ourselves to be sinners loved by God then we will go on to become the holy servants that God intended all human beings to become. May it be so for each one of us. Amen

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The ground we are standing on is holy

Here's the sermon I shared at St Mary's Runwell this morning:

"A man named Moses is tending his sheep in the land of Midian when he comes across a burning bush. He moves closer to see more and hears the voice of God, speaking to him about his people and their need to be delivered from the land of Egypt. God tells Moses to take off his sandals, for the ground he is standing on is holy.” (R. Bell, Velvet Elvis, Zondervan, 2005)

Holy Ground is an art installation by Paul Hobbs which includes a collection of shoes and stories from Christians all around the world. The stories are short statements about what it means for each person to believe in Christ in their particular situation. Among those represented are: a thief, a refugee, the despised, the rejected – people who Jesus specially sought out – as well as those who have known great opportunity, wealth and success. There are those who are beautiful, those who are disabled, those struggling to make a living and raise a family, those who have known great loss and tragedy, and those asking the deep questions of life. All have encountered the living God, arriving at a place of holy ground; where they must, metaphorically at least, remove their shoes in acknowledgement of God’s holiness.

Some contributors are persecuted and despised for their faith, yet retain confidence in the living God. Several people need to be anonymous due to the lack of religious freedom in their lands. For others, anonymity allows them to speak more easily. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5/10).

For some the idea of giving up their shoes for this project seemed amusing and culturally odd. For others it was costly to give their only pair of shoes in exchange for another. For some it was an honour to be featured in this way, to have their story told to represent others from their situation. For many, it was an expression of thankfulness to be able to share their stories with others.

At the burning bush, God said to Moses, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3/2-5). Similarly, acknowledging God’s holiness is the beginning of life as a Christian.

What would your story be of metaphorically taking off your sandals in acknowledgement of God’s holiness?

Hobbs goes on to say that “as a believer follows Jesus Christ, he or she finds that this holy God is also a servant king, humbly and lovingly attending to one’s needs, just as when he washed his disciples feet (John 13/3-5).

As testified in many of the stories, Christians are encouraged to bring this gospel to others with “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6/14-15) and thus they realise the prophecy of Isaiah, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation” (Isaiah 52/7).”

So he “trusts that this collection of shoes and stories will show the rich variety of believers across the world, their strength of faith despite hardship, and their joy in knowing Christ. The collection also demonstrates God’s love to all types of people, and is a testimony of how the gospel has spread - often at great cost - throughout the world over the last two thousand years, and how it is reaching every part of the globe.

Please pray for people like these – many of whom make great sacrifices and take great risks to follow Christ where they live.” In this way he reminds us of those, such as Christians in North Iraq at present, who need our prayers, our giving and our action on their behalf. He says, “I am struck, in looking at these shoes, by Jesus’ words, “Many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10/31).”

Here is a very different figure; this time a sculpture by the Canadian artist David Robinson. Irena Tippett writes: “Dressed in his finest uniform (suit, tie, pants perfectly pressed) the bronze figure would blend in well with the teeming businessmen of the city. He is tidy. His hair is groomed. Not too young, not too old, he is in his prime, at the top of his game. One expects his head to be held high and it is. Is he, like everyone else, focused on the horizon of his ambition?

Thousands might note in passing that this is no hero, no grand general and no great statesman; in fact the crowds of the morning rush might not find him notable at all. Yet, though in business there is never a minute to spare, allowing him even a moment’s notice would pay off a hundredfold. Would some turn aside and see that he is not rushing as they are? Would anyone take time to look at his hands, to look at his feet?

Bare feet. What has caused this perfectly dressed businessman to humbly remove his shoes? In the stillness of the erect figure, face looking upward, we do not see what he sees but we can perceive a heavenly and personal encounter. Perhaps it is a gesture of repentance that he holds his shoes so lightly?”

These details should bring to mind that “man of another era who similarly, while busy at his workday job, had an encounter which changed his life forever.” As we have heard, “while minding his father-in-law’s sheep in the desert, this man came upon a contradiction: a green bush aflame but not consumed. He could have hastened on his way but for some reason did not.”

“As the story goes, when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, he called to him from out of the bush by name, saying, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

It is by no means certain that everyone would catch the allusion to Moses’ powerful call in the wilderness or know how in that place he met the living God face to face. Nevertheless, David Robinson’s sculpture speaks clearly. Today, under the bare feet of his everyday man, there is holy ground.

Like Barbra Streisand in her song ‘On Holy Ground’ we’re much more comfortable with the concept of God’s being limited to churches or other sacred spaces. Yet the universal message of the sculpture is clear: the whole world is potentially holy ground. Look how the globe extends beneath those shoeless feet.”

Reflecting on this sculpture Irena Tippett concludes, “So here is the truth: There is no time or place immune to the intrusion (if you will) of the living God. Even in a city strident with buying and selling, God is able to reveal himself to people. And a corollary is this: There is no one immune to an encounter with him. Through Jesus Christ God’s great mercy extends to all who hear his voice.”

American Pastor Rob Bell makes a similar point: "Moses has been tending his sheep in this region for forty years. How many times has he passed by this spot? How many times has he stood in this exact place? And now God tells him the ground is holy?

Has the ground been holy the whole time and Moses is just becoming aware of it for the first time?

Do you and I walk on holy ground all the time, but we are moving so fast and returning so many calls and writing so many emails and having such long lists to get done that we miss it?" (R. Bell, Velvet Elvis, Zondervan, 2005)

One of my favourite quote comes from David Adam. You will no doubt have heard me use it before, but it bears repeating: “If our God is to be found only in our churches and our private prayers, we are denuding the world of His reality and our faith of credibility. We need to reveal that our God is in all the world and waits to be discovered there – or, to be more exact, the world is in Him, all is in the heart of God. Our work, our travels, our joys and our sorrows are enfolded in His loving care. We cannot for a moment fall out of the hands of God. Typing pool and workshop, office and factory are all as sacred as the church. The presence of God pervades the work place as much as He does a church sanctuary.” (Power Lines: Celtic Prayers about Work, SPCK, 1992)

So, in the words of Woody Guthrie:

“Take off, take off your shoes
This place you’re standing, it’s holy ground
Take off, take off your shoes
The spot you’re standing, its holy ground

These words I heard in my burning bush
This place you’re standing, it’s holy ground
I heard my fiery voice speak to me
This spot you’re standing, it’s holy ground

That spot is holy holy ground
That place you stand it’s holy ground
This place you tread, it’s holy ground
God made this place his holy ground

Take off your shoes and pray
The ground you walk it’s holy ground
Take off your shoes and pray
The ground you walk it’s holy ground

Every spot on earth I trapse around
Every spot I walk it’s holy ground
Every spot on earth I trapse around
Every spot I walk it’s holy ground

Every spot it’s holy ground
Every little inch it’s holy ground
Every grain of dirt it’s holy ground
Every spot I walk it’s holy ground”

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The Klezmatics - Holy Ground.

A God who entrusts us with things of enormous worth

Here's my reflection that I shared at today's Eucharist in St Andrew’s Wickford:

Many of Jesus’ parables are set in the world of work. They concern masters, servants and slaves, as those were the primary work roles at the time and, because Israel was an agrarian culture, they often relate to farming. Ours is a very different context but, despite the many differences between the working life of Jesus’ day and time, the universal nature of the stories that he told, means that they still have much to say to the work practices of our own day and time.

One person who has specifically explored the implications of Jesus’ parables for the workplace is Will Morris who is both PwC’s Deputy Global Tax Policy Leader and a priest in the Episcopal Church. In his book ‘Where is God at Work?’ he devotes five chapters to exploring the Parable of the Talents or Pounds (Luke 19.11-28).

He notes firstly that this is story about workers and work. In the story people at work are ‘entrusted with vast sums of money and expected to use them in commercial ways’: ‘People are given assignments, they have responsibilities, and they have to report back to the boss, who then assesses them and rewards them with further work responsibility – or punishes them with demotion (or the sack). The relationships are business relationships. There is one worker who obviously has real commercial smarts, another who is not quite as high-powered but still does pretty well, and then there is the one who has no commercial savvy at all, and who lets his employer’s money sit in the ground doing nothing. So we have the successful risk-taker and the conservative, risk-adverse colleague who’d much rather do nothing than try anything. And there’s a hierarchy. It really is just like a workplace.’

He makes three key points. The first is that this is not directly a story about God-given abilities (a pound or talent was a measure of money, not a skill or gift). It is ‘rather a story about the entrustment of something of great price to various individuals.’

‘Second, the sums of money – the pounds or talents – are something given, entrusted by the master when he leaves and required to be turned back over when he returns.’ It is about ‘something entrusted to us which we are expected to work with – fruitfully – and then return to the person who gave it to us.’

Third, there is the size of the gifts. One talent is sixteen years’ wages, five is eighty years’ worth. ‘That’s a lot to entrust to a slave ... Slaves, those way down the pecking order, were here entrusted with huge wealth. The master didn’t entrust the talents to his fellow owners or to his friends, but to his slaves.’ In that sense, ‘this parable is more about equality, at least of opportunity, than it is about inequality. Slaves, if they can handle it, are as worthy of being trusted as the leaders of society.’

This parable ‘upholds commercial activity – even ... banking’ and, more specifically, ‘Jesus does indicate that – in the right settings – using money to make money is completely acceptable.’ ‘For Christians in the workplace that is welcome and affirming.’ Despite this, ‘the parable doesn’t tell us that money is good, or that we will be doing God’s work if we earn more talents for Him by any means we wish as long as we end up increasing the amount.’

However, ‘done well, done properly, these activities will validly contribute to the building up of the kingdom. As a result, we must be open to the possibility that God has placed them there for us to use in this way. If we approach the workplace with the idea, the preconception, that good cannot possibly be achieved there, then the chances are that it won’t be. But if, in part thanks to this parable, we are open to the possibility that God can work through instruments such as money and in the workplace, then who know what might happen? ... God can turn up and do amazing things in the most unlikely places.’

The ‘parable of the talents is not about the unequal handing out of skills and about the punishment of the weak. It is about whether we try to be the best we can be, working with God to build His kingdom, heal His creation, including the workplace – which, like everything else, will be perfected at the end of time. It’s about being ourselves, not trying to be people we’re not. It’s about doing only what we are capable of doing, but doing it very well. It’s about a God who entrusts us with things of enormous worth – the possibilities of being His co-workers – and who will love us for what we have done unless (and only unless we hide the gift, don’t ask Him for help using it, and then turn around and tell Him it was all His own fault anyway). Our God loves us. He really does. And all we have to do is love him back.’

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The Call - Let The Day Begin.

Serving God and Mammon?

Douglas Board writes:

'Non-profit organisations aren't good or saintly: they're complicated, sometimes ferocious and often poorly understood by business executives. One day when I was recruiting a CEO for a national disability NGO I had a briefing meeting with one of the trustees, an (unpaid) parent whose child was seriously affected. He spoke with pain and some anger about some of the executives: he doubted their commitment to the cause, and saw their motivations as mercenary.

Next door, my next meeting was with one of those (paid) executives. She spoke with pain and some anger about some of the trustees like the one I'd just talked to. 'I choose where I work,' she said, 'at the end of day he's only here because of an accident.' The complexity and ferocity of the conflict has stayed with me.

Businesses don't pretend to be good or saintly, but they do often present themselves as straightforward ('business-like'), decisive, agile or efficient: when in fact they're complicated, sometimes ferocious, and often poorly understood by those with a non-profit commitment. The two ignorances can collide spectacularly when non-profit organisations seek to recruit business skills and perspectives. For both organisation and recruit, the end result can be 'out of the frying pan into the fire'.

Join me online at 5.30pm (UK time) this Thursday 17 June for a fascinating, insightful and practical conversation with one of the UK's leading recruiters in this space, Joanna Moriarty at Green Park . We'll look at nonprofits and specifically at faith-based organisations. Pose us your questions!'

Serving God and Mammon?
Thu, 17 June 2021, 17:30 – 18:30 BST

Register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/serving-god-and-mammon-tickets-154144948691.

Commerce affects culture, congregation and compassion in many ways. One is when business executives are brought into a faith or not-for-profit context in leadership roles. Sometimes these skills arrive as a bonus: for example the person specification for Archbishop of Canterbury doesn’t ask for a business background. When and how should we ask for those skills? What pitfalls should we avoid?

Joanna Moriarty has worked in two very competitive marketplaces, first as a religious publisher and currently as a partner in the charities and social enterprise practice of the recruiter Green Park. Her trustee experience includes Feed the Minds, a charity focused on women’s literacy and social inclusion in the developing world, and she was a member of the Church of England Archbishops’ Anti-racism Task Force. She is designated a National Leader of Governance by the National College of Teaching and Leadership and works with boards to raise their effectiveness and impact. Joanna has recruited many business leaders for both executive and non-executive roles in faith and not-for-profit contexts.

At 5.30pm on Thursday 17 June Douglas Board, who has many years’ experience of his own as a senior recruiter, will engage in conversation with Joanna to bring out many fascinating and practical insights which can help any values-driven organisation looking to add commercial skills. Then they will respond to your questions.

Douglas initiated the HeartEdge discussion on 22 April on the human purpose of business; his current book ‘Elites: can you rise to the top without losing your soul?’ has been called ‘profound’ by the Financial Times. He is the external adviser to the Church of England’s renewal of its process of discernment for ordained ministry.

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The Innocence Mission - On Your Side.

The human purpose of business

In our lifetimes the purpose of business is being reformed. The idea that this was, exclusively, to make shareholders wealthier is dying (slowly). In relation to the climate emergency, boardrooms have the language (eg net zero) but need more action. But on the human and social side purpose of business our language is lacking (argues Douglas Board). After Grenfell and similar events we react with outrage: but what can guide us beforehand, capturing the positives of commerce as well as its problems?

A thinker and writer on leadership and a coach, in yesterday's HeartEdge workshop Wizards, Muggle Crust and the Human Purpose of Business Douglas (@BoardWryter) drew on his book ‘Elites: can you rise to the top without losing your soul?’ to propose that the human purpose of business is to create places (organisations, systems, communities) of extraordinary achievement in which ordinary lives matter. 

He then discussed that proposal with his guests: Jo Hill, a career regulator; Monisha Shah, Committee on Standards in Public Life; Professor David Grayson CBE, an international thought leader and campaigner on responsible business; and Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields. View their conversation at https://www.facebook.com/506026059544325/videos/2750438071885864 and read Douglas' introduction to his proposal here.

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Pierce Pettis - Instrument.

Living God's Future Now - w/c 4 April 2021

 

'Living God’s Future Now’ is our mini online festival of theology, ideas and practice.

We’ve developed this in response to the pandemic and our changing world. The church is changing too, and - as we improvise and experiment - we can learn and support each other.

This is 'Living God’s Future Now’ - talks, workshops and discussion - hosted by HeartEdge. Created to equip, encourage and energise churches - from leaders to volunteers and enquirers - at the heart and on the edge.

The focal event in ‘Living God’s Future Now’ is a monthly conversation where Sam Wells explores what it means to improvise on God’s kingdom with a leading theologian or practitioner.

The online programme includes:

• Regular weekly workshops: Biblical Studies (Mondays - fortnightly), Sermon Preparation (Tuesdays) and Community of Practitioners (Wednesdays)
• One-off workshops on topics relevant to lockdown such as ‘Growing online communities’ and ‘Grief, Loss & Remembering’
• Monthly HeartEdge dialogue featuring Sam Wells in conversation with a noted theologian or practitioner

W/c 4 April 2021

*** Please note there is no Sermon Preparation workshop this week ***

Wednesday

Community of Practitioners - Wednesday 7 April at 4pm (GMT)

Church leaders (lay and ordained) from the UK and across the globe join in community, share and reflect together on their recent experiences in the form of wonderings and book discussions. We look forward to seeing you whether this is your first time or whether you have been part of the community for a while. Email jonathan.evens@smitf.org for details if you haven't joined before.

Thursday 

Living God's Future Now Conversation - Sam Wells and Maggi Dawn - Thursday 8 April at 6pm (GMT)

Revd Dr Sam Wells explores what it means to improvise on God’s kingdom with Revd Professor Maggi Dawn - Principal, St Mary’s College, Durham University and Professor of Theology, Department of Theology and Religion. Please register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-gods-future-now-conversation-maggi-dawn-tickets-146404655265.  

Forthcoming highlights

Biblical Studies: Monday 12 April, 19:30-21:00 (GMT), Zoom meeting. Join Simon Woodman on two Monday evenings each month for a Biblical Studies class: a lecture followed by discussion, with handouts, looking at the Gospels and Acts. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcOmgrTgsHt2ceY7LepLhQYqQxS1G1ix9. Lecture 07 – Matthew.

In the shadow of your wings: Musical Bible study on the Psalms – Thursday 15 April, 4.30 pm (BST), zoom - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-the-shadow-of-your-wings-tickets-145553260721. A unique ecumenical event that combines three new musical interpretations of Psalm 57 with small-group discussion. An interactive online event presented by Deus Ex Musica in which participants watch pre-recorded live performances of three brand-new vocal settings of a beloved psalm, each of which has been set to music by a composer representing a different Christian tradition.

Why should the church care about Housing? Around 90% of churches have engaged in some way with meeting needs around food poverty; in contrast, less than 20% have engaged with local housing need and, where they have, such engagement has tended to focus on emergency and crisis intervention to support those who are homeless, rather than approaches which seek to prevent homelessness occurring. Conscious that 8m people are living in substandard, overcrowded or unaffordable accommodation across the country, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Housing, Church and Community has called for this to be a major element of the church’s mission in coming years and are encouraging a culture change that sees engaging with housing need as a creative and natural way to engage with our local communities. In advance of a HeartEdge webinar exploring ways in which all churches can get involved in housing need locally and the theological basis for doing so, The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington, has written an article for HeartEdge explaining why the Church should care about housing. Read the article at https://www.heartedge.org/main/news/post/463-why-should-the-church-care-about-housing and register for the webinar, to be held on Monday 26 April, at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/why-the-church-should-care-about-housing-tickets-146911208379.

Wizards, Muggle Crust and the Human Purpose of Business: Thu, 22 April 2021, 19:00 – 20:30 BST. Register for a Zoom invite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wizards-muggle-crust-and-the-human-purpose-of-business-tickets-146820156039. In our lifetimes the purpose of business is being reformed. The idea that this was, exclusively, to make shareholders wealthier is dying (slowly). In relation to the climate emergency, boardrooms have the language (eg net zero) but need more action. But on the human and social side purpose of business our language is lacking (argues Douglas Board). After Grenfell and similar events we react with outrage: but what can guide us beforehand, capturing the positives of commerce as well as its problems? A thinker and writer on leadership and a coach, Douglas will draw on his book ‘Elites: can you rise to the top without losing your soul?’ to propose that the human purpose of business is to create places (organisations, systems, communities) of extraordinary achievement in which ordinary lives matter. In this HeartEdge workshop Douglas will explore these issues with Jo Hill, Monisha Shah, Professor David Grayson CBE, Richard Goold and Revd Dr Sam Wells.

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Victoria Williams - You R Loved.

HeartEdge in Southend & at #standtogether

 This week Sam Wells gave two lectures at Bellevue Baptist Church in Southend speaking about what is means to be the kind of church which survives and thrives in world and kingdom. Bellvue Baptist is a HeartEdge member and organised this event to share HeartEdge thinking more widely in their area. Among those churches supporting the event was another HeartEdge member, Shoeburyness & Thorpe Bay Baptist Church.

Sam spoke about different models that the Church has used to support and fund mission and ministry suggesting that the benefactor and steward models that have been widely used are no longer adequate and that commerce needs to be part of the financing, as well as the mission, of the Church. He then expanded on this further in the second talk by setting out different approaches (instrumental, exemplary and social) churches can take in regard to engaging in commercial activities and the implications these approaches have in mission.

Sam also spoke about HeartEdge as a network that wants to help churches find a future bigger than their past, with congregation, culture, commerce and compassion being at the centre of this vision.

Hear these two talks at http://www.bvbc.org.uk/news.

HeartEdge has also been to #standtogether, the SALT Network conference held at Methodist Central Hall this week. The conference was organised by Christian Aid's SALT Business Network to learn how to support and equip changemakers in whichever business to which they have been called by God. The conference included input by business leaders from a range of sectors on how they’re transforming business, communities and lives. Guests included: 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.

I shared a HeartEdge workshop session on Start:Stop, the mission initiative that provides 10 minute reflections for working people. There was real appreciation for the Start:Stop approach from those at this workshop exploring ministry to working people. Many of those contributing to the conference had also been involved with the HeartEdge event on Churches & Commerce earlier in the year. It was great for HeartEdge to connect again with our friends at Anthony Collins Solicitors, Quakers and Business Group, Faith In Business, and all those involved in the SALT Network.

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The Song of Kingdom Come.

HeartEdge: Churches & Commerce

Many churches struggle to cover the costs of their buildings and the ministry needed in their area. Finding other sources of income in addition to congregational giving can help significantly and can also extend the church’s engagement in God’s mission.

Organised by HeartEdge, ‘Churches & Commerce’ is a day at St Martin in the Bull Ring (Edgbaston St, Birmingham B5 5BB) on 7 March (10.00am – 3.30pm) for anyone interested in making churches sustainable in their mission. This event enables you to hear from people for whom commercial activities, including social enterprises, are making a real difference, not only to their church finances but also to their wider mission.

Contributors include: 

Allyson Hargreaves (Executive Director, St Martin-in-the-Fields Limited), Revd Dr Richard Frazer (Minister, Greyfriars Kirk) and Dr Richard Higginson (Director, Faith in Business), Revd Canon Giles Goddard (St John’s Waterloo), plus Anthony Collins Solicitors, Cinnamon Network, Grassmarket Community Project (recently named Social Enterprise of the Year in Scotland), Jericho Foundation, NexGen Marketing Ltd, Salt Business Network, and The Bridge at Waterloo. 

The programme includes sessions on: Christian Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurial Theology; and Structuring Missional Commerce. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion with entrepreneurs and small group input sessions led by specialists (on specific aspects of commercial activity e.g. structures, marketing etc or particular commercial opportunities e.g. social enterprise, training programmes etc).

To book contact me on jonathan.evens@smitf.org or 020 7766 1127.

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The Style Council - Our Favourite Shop.

Patronal Festival and Light the Well

Our Patronal Festival service Thirty Enterprising Years’ tonight celebrated 30 years of commercial life at St Martin-in-the-Fields and reflected on the place of the place of our business in the future of our community. The preacher for this service was Revd Dr Sam Wells, who offered a series of beatitudes for business. The service was followed by the unveiling of a plaque for Canon Geoffrey Brown and a party in the Crypt with celebrations, food and a quiz.

The Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields sang in the Light Well alongside Anna Sikorska's SALT installation which is the culmination of the Light the Well community art project.

Set in the Light Well from 11 – 18 November, this installation has been made by the hands of people at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Individuals from across our shared life - Church congregation, Chinese community, clergy, staff, clients from the Connection and members of our International Group - have, over some time, gathered together over tables of clay and carefully formed the pieces which fill the Light Well.

Each porcelain ‘lantern’ is filled with light from a simple string of lamps. They will sit together in-situ for one week, during which we celebrate the Feast of St. Martin and also the 30th anniversaries of St Martin-in-the-Fields Limited and the Bishop Ho Ming Wah Community Centre.

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Anton Bruckner - Locus Iste.

Business Harvest Festival

You are invited to the Business Harvest Festival at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 12th October, followed by a light lunch. Our preacher on this occasion will be The Ven. Luke Miller, Archdeacon of London.

Traditionally, harvest is a time when the country gives thanks for the natural gifts of the land and the safe harvesting of them.

At St Stephen Walbrook, we give thanks for that but, as you may know, have a tradition of inviting representatives of local businesses to bring a symbol of their work and place it on the Henry Moore altar at the start of the service. Some examples of symbols presented in the past have been books, building development plans, food, financial accounts, a bottle of wine, a trowel, an insurance policy, a scaffolding bolt, and items of clothing. All will be returned after the service.

We very much hope that you will be able to join us and also include your business associates in the invitation. If you are able to attend, please do consider bringing a symbol of your work with you to place on the altar. Do stay afterwards, if you can, for a light lunch.

It would be a great help for catering purposes if you could let us know whether you or your colleagues can join us and present a symbol of your work. Please RSVP to office@ststephenwalbrook.net or phone 020 7626 9000.

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Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken.

Business Harvest Festival

You are invited to the Business Harvest Festival at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 12th October, followed by a light lunch. Our preacher on this occasion will be The Ven. Luke Miller, Archdeacon of London.

Traditionally, harvest is a time when the country gives thanks for the natural gifts of the land and the safe harvesting of them.

At St Stephen Walbrook, we give thanks for that but, as you may know, have a tradition of inviting representatives of local businesses to bring a symbol of their work and place it on the Henry Moore altar at the start of the service. Some examples of symbols presented in the past have been books, building development plans, food, financial accounts, a bottle of wine, a trowel, an insurance policy, a scaffolding bolt, and items of clothing. All will be returned after the service.

We very much hope that you will be able to join us and also include your business associates in the invitation. If you are able to attend, please do consider bringing a symbol of your work with you to place on the altar. Do stay afterwards, if you can, for a light lunch.

It would be a great help for catering purposes if you could let us know whether you or your colleagues can join us and present a symbol of your work. Please RSVP to office@ststephenwalbrook.net or phone 020 7626 9000.

You may also be interested in our next plus+ presentation which will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 19 October (preceded by Evening Prayer at 6.15pm), when The Revd Sally Muggeridge will speak from personal experience about campaigns to increase the numbers of women on Boards.

plus+ presentations are a new series of events exploring the place of faith in the world of business. Future dates for plus+ presentations include:

• 9th November Barbara Ridpath, Director of St Paul's Institute, will speak on Transitions: how to make life-changing career changes by choice or necessity. 
• 18 January 2018, our presenter will be Professor Richard Higginson (Director of Faith in Business, Ridley Hall Cambridge) speaking about Christian entrepreneurs living out their faith. 
• 15 February 2018 - Revd Dr Fiona Stewart-Darling, Canary Wharf MultiFaith Chaplaincy. 

Finally, our current art exhibition is 'Creations' by the sculptor Alexander de Cadenet. Alexander is exhibiting, until 3 November, a series of bronze and silver sculptures featuring ‘consumables’ that contain deeper spiritual messages. The works include a selection of his ‘Life-Burger’ hamburger sculptures and 'Creation' – a larger scale shiny bronze apple with three bites taken from it – two adult bites and baby bite in between. His sculptures explore the relationship between the spiritual dimension of art and consumerism and, at their root, are an exploration of what gives life meaning. These are themes which also link to this season of Harvest.

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Fred Pratt Green - For The Fruits Of His Creation.

plus+ presentations: adding value to the City of London

As part of further developing the relationships St Stephen Walbrook has with the business community in the City of London, we plan to begin a new series of events in the autumn to explore the place of faith in the world of business.

This new ongoing series of events is entitled ‘plus+ presentations’, as the series is one part of the way in which St Stephen seeks to add value to the City.

The inaugural plus+ presentation will be given by Douglas Board, founder of Maslow’s Attic, on 21 September (6.30pm). Douglas is a senior visiting fellow at Cass and also writes on management, faith, society and humour, as well as careers. Previously, he was consultant, director and then deputy chairman of Saxton Bampfylde, a top 10 UK search firm.

Douglas will share practical, intellectual and spiritual reflections on flourishing at work in a presentation entitled ‘In an open plan office, can anyone hear you scream?’

The format for ‘plus+ presentations’ is:

• 6.15pm: Evening Prayer (optional) 
• 6.30pm: plus+ presentation 
• 7.00pm: Drinks reception & networking 
• 7.30pm: Close 

Going forward, we plan to run the plus+ presentations on the third Thursday of each month, although the remaining 2017 dates will be 19th October; 9th November.

On 19th October Revd Sally Muggeridge, Curate at St Stephen Walbrook, will speak from personal experience about campaigns to increase the numbers of women on Boards.

On 9th November Barbara Ridpath, Director of St Paul's Institute, will speak on Transitions: how to make life-changing career changes by choice or necessity.

On 18 January 2018, our presenter will be Professor Richard Higginson (Director of Faith in Business, Ridley Hall Cambridge) speaking about Christian entrepreneurs living out their faith.

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Deacon Blue - Wages Day.

In an open plan office, can anyone hear you when you scream?

As part of further developing the relationships St Stephen Walbrook has with the business community in the City of London, we plan to begin a new series of events in the autumn to explore the place of faith in the world of business.

We are already marketing St Stephen Walbrook, and some specific business-related offers, using ‘plus+’ to talk about St Stephen Walbrook adding value to the City. As a result, this new ongoing series of events will be titled ‘plus+ presentations’.

The inaugural presentation in our new series of plus+ presentations will be given by Douglas Board, founder of Maslow’s Attic, on 21 September, 6.30pm, at St Stephen Walbrook

Douglas Board is a senior visiting fellow at Cass and also writes on management, faith, society and humour, as well as careers. Previously, he was consultant, director and then deputy chairman of Saxton Bampfylde, a top 10 UK search firm. Douglas will share practical, intellectual and spiritual reflections on flourishing at work in a presentation entitled ‘In an open plan office, can anyone hear you scream?’

The format for ‘plus+ presentations’ is: 

• 6.15pm: Evening Prayer (optional); 
• 6.30pm: plus+ Presentation; 
• 7.00pm: Drinks reception & networking; 
• 7.30pm: Close. 

There is no charge for the presentation/reception and no need to book. All are welcome – just come on the day.

Going forward, we plan to run the plus+ presentations on the third Thursday of each month, although the remaining 2017 dates will be 19th October; 9th November. On 18 January 2018, our presenter will be Professor Richard Higginson speaking about Christian entrepreneurs living out their faith.

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Arvo Pärt - Da Pacem.

Start:Stop - Doing our common business for the love of God

Bible reading

‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Meditation

Brother Lawrence was a member of the Carmelite Order in France during the 17th Century. He spent most of his life in the kitchen or mending shoes, but became a great spiritual guide. He saw God in the mundane tasks he carried out in the priory kitchen. Daily life for him was an ongoing conversation with God. He wrote: 'we need only to recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment.'

Brother Lawrence said:

‘Men invent means and methods of coming at God's love, they learn rules and set up devices to remind them of that love, and it seems like a world of trouble to bring oneself into the consciousness of God's presence. Yet it might be so simple. Is it not quicker and easier just to do our common business wholly for the love of him?’

‘The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.’

‘Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. . . We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before him, who has given me grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king. It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.’

'We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.'

George Herbert’s poem ‘The Elixir’ (also sung as the hymn ‘Teach me my God and king in all things thee to see’) that, with these attitudes, drudgery is made divine. A servant who sweeps a room for love of God ‘makes that and the action fine.’ He claims that this attitude and approach:

‘is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold:
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be told.’

Prayer

Lord God, steer us away from means, methods, rules and devices for reminding us of Your love and presence with us. Instead, give us a simple desire to do our common business wholly for love of You.
Bring us into a consciousness of Your presence, as we do our common business wholly for the love of You.

May we see that times of business need not differ from times of prayer, as we need only to recognize God intimately present with us to address ourselves to Him every moment. Bring us into a consciousness of Your presence, as we do our common business wholly for the love of You.

May we not become weary of doing little things for the love of You, recognizing that You regard not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. Bring us into a consciousness of Your presence, as we do our common business wholly for the love of You.

Teach us to see You in all things, give thanks in all circumstances and rejoice at all times, as we pray constantly through the actions our common business. Bring us into a consciousness of Your presence, as we do our common business wholly for the love of You.

Blessing

Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances. Doing little things and our common business for love of God. Recognising God in every moment and seeing Him in all things. May those blessings of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon us and remain with us always. Amen.

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George Herbert - Teach Me, My God And King..

How Can Your Faith and Your Business Come Together to Boost the Economy?

How Can Your Faith and Your Business Come Together to Boost the Economy?

Are you a business owner, faith focused or a budding entrepreneur looking to run a socially conscious venture? If you are any of the above or would describe yourself as naturally curious, then you can’t afford to miss “Faith and Business Summit: Harnessing The Social Capital of Our Nation’s Churches."

Taking place on Monday 28th November 2016 at RBS, Bishopsgate, this summit is a must attend event for anyone who is interested in the role that the church and other faiths have in shaping today’s economy through enterprise.

The Faith and Business Summit promises to be a highly informative and interactive afternoon which will be facilitated by Sonia Brown MBE of NBWN and include an exclusive keynote presentation from Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms, MP – Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society

Supporting guest speakers on the day will include:

• Julie Baker – Head of Enterprise, NatWest Business Banking
• Bishop Wilton Powell – Church of God of Prophecy
• Bishop Wayne Malcolm – ICAN Community Church
• Rev Sally Muggeridge – St Stephen Walbrook
• Rev Martin Wheadon – Christian Education Project
• Minister Joyce Fletcher – National Women's Minister Director (COGOP)
• Pastor Nick Chanda – (RCCE)
• Ray Lewis – EYLA

Why attend?

Statistics from the Cinnamon Faith Action Audit (2015) show that the contribution from churches and other faiths make to the local economy is £235 million and the national value from these organisations via social action projects through their communities is estimated at 3billion per year. In light of these figures, the NBWN and NatWest Business Banking are aiming to bring together faith leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs to harness this capital and look at what needs to be done to start and stimulate businesses in the UK.

Among the topics to be covered on the day include an outline of how faith based organisations contribute to society and how the church can help to start, grow and support more businesses within their local and national communities. In addition, there will be an opportunity to look at how the church can encourage international trade through their well established and solid networks.

As well as listening to our exclusive guest speakers you will also have the chance to get involved, have YOUR say and establish and expand your own business networks.

If you would like to get involved or find out more about how our churches can get more involved in the business agenda, then please join us for this free event aimed at bridging the gap between faith and business on Monday 28th November 2016 at RBS, Bishopsgate, London from 12.00 – 4.30pm by visiting: Faith and Business Summit.

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Chance the Rapper - Blessings.

Business Harvest Festival

At St Stephen Walbrook we have a tradition that companies in the parish designate someone to bring an object to represent their work and to place it on the altar as a symbol at the beginning of our Business Harvest Festival service.

Businesses and organisations representing the work found in the Parish of St Stephen last year included: Arthur J Gallagher, The City of London Police, The Don Restaurant and ‘Sign of the Don’, Rynda Property Investors, Vestra Wealth LLP, The Friends of the City Churches, U3A, London Internet Church, City of London Corporation, Sir Robert McAlpine, Christian Aid, commission4mission, Walbrook Music Trust, Threadneedle Asset Management, Central London Samaritans, British Arab Commercial Bank and Coq d’Argent, among others.

Among the items placed on the Henry Moore designed altar during 2015’s Service were a PCSO's black bowler, bolts, bronze and glass from local construction sites, paintings and drawings, a variety of reports and brochures, bread, wine and fruit, a hi-vis jacket, and a telephone representing the work of Samaritans.

This year our Business Harvest Festival will be held on Thursday 6th October at 12.45pm. All are welcome.

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Benjamin Britten - Jubilate Deo.

Update: Sophia Hub Redbridge

Ros Southern writes:

Entrepreneur's club and start-up things this week:

• On Tuesday it's the start-your-business introductory workshop at Enterprise Desk 10-1 run by the London Small Business Centre. Info here
• On Thursday we have a fabulous call-out for Redbridge creatives! Our speaker is fashion designer Isatu Harrison and this is also a meet-up for creative start-ups, businesses and amateurs. 5.30 at Enterprise Desk. Info here.
• Redbridge Timebank event on Saturday - cutting edge! Its the Timebank live trading floor Saturday 16th July from 1-3pm in Ilford library. A rich, fun, unexpected Saturday afternoon. Info here. 

Business help for community groups this week:

• On Tuesday there's a crowdfunding seminar at Redbridge CVS - an important tool for raising funds with local community involvement. info here.
• Our fourth and final Enterprising Redbridge seminar on Tuesday 5.30-8pm at Welcome Centre. 'Love Your Numbers!' Info here.

Other information:

• Update on Ilford green pop up market, Repair cafe, Fauja Singh's celebrity visit and how the free stalls are going. Info here
• Information from Redbridge start up on EU funding after the Referendumclick here
• Next Chamber breakfast - summer special in Valentines Mansion Tues 26 July . Info here

We try to keep our 'Help and Support' page up to date with information.

Have a great weekend. Hope to see you next week,

Best wishes,

Ros Southern
Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Redbridge
07707 460309

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XTC - King For A Day.