humbler church Bigger God conference

This September HeartEdge welcomes Scottish hymn writer and Church of Scotland minister John Bell, Anglican priest, poet and feminist theologian Rachel Mann, Global South theologian Anderson Jeremiah and many other exciting contributors, for a two-day conference: “humbler church, Bigger God” – a gathering of the HeartEdge community in Manchester (27 & 28 September 2022).

The programme also includes Andrew Graystone, Grace Thomas, Molly Boot, Kathy Versfeld, Anthony Reddie, Azariah France-Williams and of course, our own Sam Wells. There will be many other contributors, and every participant brings their own insights and perspective.

On the Tuesday evening the Conference will include, in partnership with the Church Times and SCM press, the annual Theology Slam.



The HeartEdge Conference is a practical, two-day intensive of ideas, theology and connecting. It includes workshops on enterprise and commerce, launching cultural projects, developing congregations and sustaining community response, plus time to make connections and find encouragements. This two-day intensive will pack in lots and prioritise practical input and resources.

The conference venue is Ascension Church Hulme on the southern edge of Manchester City Centre. Some of the sessions will happen in other community venues in Hulme or around the City Centre.

Further information is available from: andy.salmon@smitf.org

Ticket Prices:
Early Bird £110 (before 30 June)
Full price £150
Under 25 £75

Day rate:
Early Bird £55 (before 30 June)
Full price £75
Under 25 £35

For tickets go to: https://bit.ly/3s8wACW

We don’t want ticket prices to be a barrier to anyone coming so get in touch if you think they may be.

For those wanting accommodation for the conference, Luther King House is offering rooms at the reduced rate of £40 a night single (£50 a night double or twin) including breakfast. Limited availability. To book, email reception@lkh.co.uk or call 0161 224 6404 and quote ‘HeartEdge Conference’.

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Mark Heard - Rise From The Ruins.

Manchester: At the heart. On the edge.

At the heart. On the edge. - Manchester

The latest HeartEdge Introductory Day was held at St Peter's House in Manchester on 31 October. The day had been assembled by an ecumenical group locally - with a wide range of contributors. It was an encouraging, useful, really inspiring day!

The HeartEdge movement is about making connections and, with others, giving and sharing practical resources and experience across four areas - congregation, culture, commerce and compassion. Therefore, HeartEdge Days are about ideas, connections, theology and mission. Everyone taking part is a practitioner, so people learn by doing and are experts by experience. There is lots to take away to encourage, inspire and equip as well as opportunities to share insights, learning, experience and ideas, building further useful links with colleagues – as this is what HeartEdge is all about!

The Archdeacon of Manchester Karen Lund and Baptist Minister Graham Sparkes led discussion of: growing a congregation in Prestwich with Chris Wedge; becoming a venue and running gigs in Salford with Andy Salmon; sharing food and hospitality in Reddish with Angie Stanton; and business, commerce and youthwork in Macclesfield with Rob Wardle. We also heard about Levenshulme Inspire Community Enterprises and cabarets organised at St John the Evangelist Old Trafford. Sam Wells and the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields led a Great Sacred Music on HeartEdge and the 4C's. Sam also began the day by talking about ways to move beyond reliance on benefactors and stewardship in funding mission and ministry.

Feedback from those who came included:

• interesting and challenging day, thinking about doing and being church in innovative and contextual ways; 
• at HeartEdge discussing ecumenical model of partnership, sharing ideas, making connections, doing theology and developing mission. This is our future and what we are - connected in our faith; 
• brilliant and inspiring day today at the @HeartEdge_ Manchester conference. Thank you to all involved! 
• thanks to the team @HeartEdge_ and @salfordrev for showing us that thoughtful input, sensory engagement and risk-taking are possible without PowerPoint!

Our next HeartEdge Introductory Day is in Inverness on 13 November - register here!

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Over The Rhine - All My Favourite People.