Innovations in Church

Join Bath Deanery and the Diocese of Bath and Wells at the Innovations in Church Conference

Revd Stephen Girling, Area Dean of Bath says, "There is so much happening in the church that demonstrates how we are moving beyond the Sunday service into the community and beyond the Vicar to recognise the vocation of the whole people of God. This conference will showcase projects and ideas from a number of Bath churches and further afield, and give opportunity for networking and discussion. Hosted in the newly refurbished Bath Abbey this is a golden opportunity to think outside the box and imagine new ways of being the church. Everybody is welcome."

The conference will take place at Bath Abbey. Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased from Eventbrite.

Speakers

Rachel Spence - Outdoor Church

Rachel is a Lay Pioneer passionate about all age worship gatherings beyond the wallsof church. Rachel will be speaking about
the green patches and muddy puddles andtrees and branches that are the other places where we may worship God.

Karen Turner - Church Outside of Church

Karen is a chaplain to students at Bath Spa University and the University of Bath. Shelooks after the Chapel House community, where students from different Christiantraditions live, work and pray together. She will speak on transformative potential ofcommunity, how relationships can be a sign of God among us.

Shawn Swinney - Hybrid Church: Online/Onsite

Shawn is the Vicar of four churches in Bath including Holy Trinity Combe Down. Hehas a Masters in Spiritual Theology from Regent College, Vancouver and enjoysaudiophile headphones and playing with technology. Shawn saw innovating onlinechurch as a real opportunity during the pandemic and will speak about lessons learned, with an eye toward the future.

Susanna Watson - Reimagining Church Buildings

Susanna is freelance and divides her time between acting as an external clinicalsupervisor at Dorothy House, running a small society of artists and working as anindependent funeral celebrant. She has belonged to an Anglican church almost all ofher life and has been churchwarden at Swainswick for the last 7 years.

Charlie Peer & Julia Hill - Focal Ministry: Opportunity Church

Charlie is Head of Mission Support and Ministry Development for Bath & Wells, and supports churches in developing their plans for mission. Julia is Discipleship Team Leader for Bath & Wells, encouraging the growth of discipleship in the church. Charlie and Julia will speak about how mission anddiscipleship can energise one another.

Martin Geake & Wayne McMaster - Serving the Disadvantaged

Martin and Wayne are part of the Grow for Life team and are passionate about thetherapeutic value of gardening to inspire
and restore those suffering with theirmental health. As Christians, Martin and Wayne have set up a pilot churchpartnership scheme where gardening together creates an easy connection betweenchurch and a largely unreached demographic of the parish.

Stephen Girling - Vision for Innovation

Stephen is Bath Abbey’s Missioner and as Area Dean of Bath he has local oversightresponsibilities on behalf of the Bishop of Bath & Wells. Stephen will be speakingabout how Innovations in church life and practice will revitalise the church as it seeksto honour God and actively participate in local and city community life.