“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.

“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.

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: