A Future that’s Bigger than the Past: Chalmers Lectures 2019

Rev Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London and inspirational founder of the HeartEdge movement, will deliver the 2019 Chalmers Lectures this autumn. Entitled ‘A Future that’s Bigger than the Past’, the six lectures will focus on the theology and methods of HeartEdge as a vision for renewal in the Church.

All of the lectures will be live streamed from here starting from 6.00pm today.

Launched at St Martin-in-the-Fields in 2017, HeartEdge is a membership-based organisation, an ecumenical network of partners and a movement for renewal.

The name HeartEdge reflects the group’s purpose - for those working at the heart of commerce, culture and community, with those at the margins and on the edge.

Through joining the network, churches are supported in finding their stories, share resources and connect with others developing their church and community.

A Future that’s Bigger than the Past

The six Chalmers Lectures being delivered by Dr Wells throughout the autumn at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh from 6pm-8pm are:

• For Such a Time as This: Locating the UK Church in a global and gospel story – Tuesday 17 September
• Investing in the Kingdom: Taking money beyond the benefactor and the steward – Wednesday 18 September
• Minding God’s Business: Realigning commerce and Church – Thursday 19 September
• Entertaining Angels Unawares: How God renews the Church through the stones that the builders reject – Tuesday 1 October
• Let All the People Praise Thee: How the Church may be part of a cultural renaissance – Wednesday 2 October
• On Earth as it is in Heaven: Towards a vision for the renewal of congregational life – Thursday 3 October

The final three lectures in the series will be heard during the HeartEdge Annual Conference.

For those who are unable to attend in person, the lectures will also be live-streamed from here, and available in audio format.

For more information, please get in touch with Rev Jonathan Evens, HeartEdge organiser and Associate Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, by email or by telephoning: 020 7766 1127.
Dates

The Chalmers Lectures at Greyfriars Kirk are open to the public and free to attend, or watch online. All dates are from 6pm to 8pm.

• Tuesday 17 September
• Wednesday 18 September
• Thursday 19 September
• Tuesday 1 October
• Wednesday 2 October
• Thursday 3 October

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leonard Cohen - The Future.

Greyfriars Kirk

I had an inspiring HeartEdge visit to Greyfriars Kirk last Wednesday to meet the Minister Revd. Dr. Richard E Frazer and the Associate Minister Revd. Lezley Stewart. 

Greyfriars is a worshipping congregation of the Church of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town where a church has stood since 1620. The Kirk seeks to be a welcoming, inclusive community and to respond to local needs in a variety of ways. Worship takes place during the week as well as on Sundays in English and Gaelic.

The Kirk is a major venue for the arts, a tourist destination and through the Grassmarket Community Project supports many vulnerable citizens. Greyfriars community outreach takes many forms but is primarily focused around their centre in the Kirkhouse on Candlemaker Row. The project is now managed by Grassmarket Community Project Ltd. - a partnership between Greyfriars Kirk and Grassmarket Mission.

Throughout the week the Grassmarket Community Project offers a variety of workshops aimed at developing people’s self worth, social networks and skills.

Craft, art and community are all central themes in their work. Participants have the opportunity to join in with GRoW wood workshop, the Plough to Plate cookery and gardening program, the Grassroots Textiles workshop, Greyfriars Herb Garden or one of their many arts and education activities.

Although primarily aimed at individuals facing deep social exclusion, the Grassmarket Community Project encourages members of the local community to join in and work side by side with participants from all walks of life.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ricky Ross - Trouble Came Looking.

HeartEdge: Catalysing Kingdom Communities

Sam Wells spoke to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on 'Catalysing Kingdom Communities', the strapline of HeartEdge. HeartEdge is a growing ecumenical network of churches and other organisations working across the UK and overseas, initiated by St Martin-in-the-Fields. It helps churches deepen and integrate their cultural, commercial and community reach while building association and learning with those on the edge

Click here to hear Sam explore what it means to be faith communities that welcome and include in today’s world? The Moderator of the General Assembly chairs a special session which also includes the current Scots Makar, Jackie Kay. Also listen to Sam's talk at the launch of HeartEdge by clicking here.

HeartEdge is organising useful workshops and events across the UK tailored to your priorities. The next events are:

Start:Stop seminar

Wednesday 31 May, 1 – 4pm, St Stephen Walbrook. Learn about the genesis of Start:Stop (10-minute work-based reflections for people on their way to work) together with Revd Jonathan Evens, Associate Vicar Partnership, St Martin-in-the-Fields, and Priest-in-charge, St Stephen Walbrook.

An opportunity to discuss:

• growing a new congregation;
• engaging with working people;
• ministering in the workplace;
• communicating with busy people.

Great Sacred Music seminar 

Thursday 8 June, 12.50 – 4pm, St Martin-in-the-Fields. Learn about the genesis of Great Sacred Music (a 35-minute lunchtime sequence of words and music speaking to heart, head and soul) together with Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and Andrew Earis, Director of Music, St Martin-in-the-Fields.

An opportunity to discuss:

• growing a new congregation; 
• engaging with music lovers; 
• using music in mission; 
• sharing faith insights with secular audiences.

Both seminars are free to HeartEdge members, £10 for others. Register with Revd Jonathan Evens at jonathan.evens@smitf.org or 020 7766 1127.

At the Heart – On the Edge will explore mission by doing theology, sharing ideas, uncovering solutions and finding support. Hosted by Rev Dr Sam Wells, we'll focus is on:

• Congregation –Liturgy, worship and day-to-day communal life – gathered and local
• Commerce – Start and sustain enterprise to generate finance for your church
• Compassion – Grow participation and volunteering to address social need locally
• Culture – Use art, music and ideas to reimagine the Christian narrative in your context

Interested? Register for this launch event and what will be an inspiring, practical first conference.

HeartEdge | Building Kingdom Communities

• A network of churches and organisations initiated by St Martin-in-the-Fields
• For those working at the heart of commerce, culture and community
• With those at the margins and on the edge
• Building association, learning, development and resource

Taking place at St Michael’s Centre, 5 minutes walk from Bristol Parkway Station in the village of Stoke Gifford. Regular train services run to and from London, Cardiff, Birmingham and beyond. The site is less than 3 miles from the M4, the M5 and the M32 motorways. St Michael’s is 6 miles north of Bristol city centre, and well connected by bus, with cycle routes and by road.

Register for free to attend on the day - click on the green register

Learn more about HeartEdge here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delirious? - Now Is The Time.