“On Earth as it is in Heaven” – The 2019 HeartEdge Conference - Report from Day 2

Cormac Russell addresses the HeartEdge Conference, speaking about Asset Based Community Development

In his introduction to the delegates pack for the 2019 HeartEdge Conference, Sam Wells wrote: “HeartEdge believes the Spirit is alive and working both within and beyond the church, and is especially concerned to focus on the beyond.”

Day Two of the conference sought to continue that trajectory; the first “beyond” of concern to us today being the world of finance and commerce. During Day One, I felt awash with wisdom flowing from those ‘in’ the church. Today, I felt there were times when the tide could turn the other way - when the conference might have usefully heard more from those outside. Such as the 5.5 million “micro enterprises” which make up over 96% of businesses registered in the UK today. Even if each is owned and run by just one person (people like me), that accounts for 8% of the population. Winnie Varghese said at the opening of the conference, that we “do theology with our lives.” If that is so, I think we have a lot to learn from their lives - which happen to be greater in number than those who attend church on a Sunday.

BOOK REVIEW - Job - The Story of a Simple Man by Joseph Roth

There is a long list of novels which have been inspired or influenced by scripture, but Phoebe by Paula Gooder is, I think, the first time I have consciously read a work of fiction which is based on part of (and named after someone in) the bible! I found it a fascinating book (described here) and I wondered whether there were other, similar novels. I haven't found anything quite like Phoebe yet but the search led me to Job - The Story of a Simple Man, by Joseph Roth.

“On Earth as it is in Heaven” – The 2019 HeartEdge Conference - Report from Day 1

Reverend Winnie Varghese with Reverend Fiona Smith

Built on the edge of a drained loch, the 2019 HeartEdge Conference was hosted first at St Cuthbert’s Church and then at St John’s Church in Edinburgh. Inside, it was a challenge to stay afloat as an impressive panel of speakers showered us with their wisdom.

The woman with the alabaster jar

Mary Magdalene, Jan van Scorel (c1530)

A nameless woman

breaks her alabaster jar

and pours out the scent of life -

Her life for His.

A postscript to the gospel.

A man who need not be named

fills his hands with the spoils of betrayal.

The stench of death. 

His death for His.

Whose life do we remember?


(A poem in response to Mark 14.1-11, one of the readings at Morning Prayer on Monday 14th October 2019).

Images of Mary - A Lecture by The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John

Europa Prima Pars Terrae informa Virginis' by Heinrich Bunting

While in Prague in August we visited the beautiful Strahov Monastery and its extensive library. One of the exhibits on display was a print of 'Europa Prima Pars Terrae informa Virginis' by Heinrich Bunting - a map of Europe in the form of a Virgin (Mary) showing Bohemia at its heart and Spain (home to the Hapsburg Dynasty who were, at the time the map was created, Holy Roman Emperors of Europe) as the head. It looks as though Britain and Ireland are floating off behind the head of the Virgin, but in most versions they are shown as a flag or banner, which she is waving.

Living Stones - A Spiritual Tour of Southwark Cathedral

The tour began outside in Humphrey’s Yard, where the Dean, The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, proudly showed us three new corbels at aisle level on the choir, which were made by stone carvers at the City and Guilds College in Kennington and installed in August last year. They represent Evelyn Sharp, a local suffragist, Doorkins the Cathedral cat and PC Wayne Marques, who was one of the First Responders on the night of the terrorist attack on London Bridge on 3rd June 2017 – he was recently awarded the George Medal.

Start:Stop-Near Neighbours or Salaried Strangers? A reflection for World Homeless Week

The Return of the Prodigal Son - Rembrandt (c1669)

Start:Stop at St Stephen Walbrook allows busy commuters to start their day by stopping to reflect for ten minutes. Prayers and reflections start every quarter of an hour from 7.45am until 9.00am each Tuesday morning. This is my reflection from Tuesday 8th October 2019.

Good morning and welcome to Start:Stop. This reflection and our prayers will last around ten minutes and you are welcome to come and go as your schedule dictates. Our reading today is the first part of a famous story of homecoming – and a parable that has much to teach us about the nature of love and how we might serve those in need. It is known colloquially as the parable of the Prodigal Son: 

How am I transformed by the Eucharist?

Jacques Iselin - The Elements of Holy Communion (Methodist Modern Art Collection)

This was the central question posed by Canon James Milne, Precentor of St Paul’s Cathedral, at a study day organised by the St Paul’s Learning team on Saturday 21st September. In “The Eucharist in Six Objects” we were taken on a sensory tour using objects from the Cathedral collection, during which we were challenged to consider how we respond to the sacrament of the Eucharist - which is where, Canon James explained, the past, present and future collide.