Keynote Speakers

This is a conference about breaking down barriers in our churches. It begins with a keynote address by Jason Roach, who is the Director of Ministries at London City Mission. It ends with a keynote address by Paul Brown, who is the Pastor of City Hope Church, Bermondsey.

They will take inspiration from Ephesians 2:14: Jesus is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.

The day will include worship, fellowship, lunch, prayer space and marketplace for you to enjoy

You will be able to choose two 60-minute workshops which will encourage, enable and equip us all.

Caring for God's world in this and future generations

Sonia Phippard urges us to take action, as individuals and churches, to address the climate and environment crisis. Sonia was formally the Director-General for Policy Delivery at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Deaneries vibrant with new life

Adrian Greenwood seeks to encourage younger and more diverse candidates to break into synods and leadership in the wider church. Adrian is Chair of the House of Laity of Southwark Diocesan Synod.

Faith at work

Paul Waddell helps us think about what difference our words and actions can make wherever we spend our working lives. Paul works in an operating theatre at Princess Royal University Hospital and serves on General Synod.

Hard to reach places in our society

Despina Francois equips us to be a voice for the voiceless, offering hope to those living on the margins of our society. Despina is a Reader from Brockley with many years of experience of living and ministering on urban estates.

How those with disabilities can enrich your church

Jonathan Macy helps us think in a different way about those in our congregations who live with disabilities. Disability is more prevalent than you think and easier to address than you think. Jonathan is a vicar in the Thamesmead Team Ministry and the Southwark Diocese Disabilities Adviser.

How to know if God is calling you to a lay ministry

Christian Okoh (newly a Reader) and Diana Sackey (newly a SPA) share their stories of how they heard God’s call to formal ministry roles, and explain how they were selected and trained. This will be fascinating for anyone thinking of following in their footsteps.

Making church a place where working class people thrive

Paul Brown helps us think about how people from working class or non-book backgrounds can live out and share their faith in authentic ways. Paul is the co-author of the newly published book 'Invisible Divides'.

Post-pandemic connections with children, youth and families

The Southwark Diocese Children and Young People Team lead a discussion about one of the biggest challenges of the past year. How can we reconnect with children, young people and their families after ministry to them was so disrupted by the impact of Covid?

Praying with the Psalms

Peter Graystone looks at four different kinds of psalm and uses them to praise God in four different ways. Peter is the Southwark Diocese Lay Training Officer and is a Reader at Emmanuel Church, Croydon.

Racial justice in our churches (morning only)

Jason Roach will inspire and challenge us to be more passionate about racial justice in our churches so that earth will be more like heaven. Jason is the co-author of a newly published book called 'Healing the Divides'.

Reaching people beyond the walls of our churches

David Cundill and Will Cookson explore how you can pioneer and create fresh expressions of church for people who are not seeking traditional churches but can meet God right where they are – in the middle of everyday life. David and Will are from the Pioneering Ministry and Fresh Expressions team.

Registrations are closed

Walking Through Walls - the Woolwich Area Lay Conference