On the estates, thy will be done

Today St James's hosted the annual conference of the National Estate Churches Network, a cross-denominational body that links together Christians ministering and living on local authority estates in our country.

The theme of this year's conference was 'Farewell to Welfare' and focussed on how changes in the welfare system affect local communities.

The NECN website explained the theme of the conference like this:

"This year's annual conference explores the effect that the Cuts are having on the people of our poorer housing estates. We are really excited that our keynote speaker at both venues is John Battle the brilliant long-time campaigner and advocate for those who are marginalised."

"As well as high quality input, there will be time to share and reflect together. What does our Christian Faith demand of us who live and work with those who really feel the impact of benefit reform? Can we make the system better or is it really 'Farewell to Welfare'?"

Bishop Michael was there at the beginning of the conference to welcome the delegates and as the host church we led the opening worship, including Jos's video, God Loves Bermondsey, to give our visitors an overview of our united benefice in Bermondsey.

With many estates in our two parishes it was good to host this network which does such an important role in highlighting a crucial but often overlooked aspect of the Church's mission to the nation.

During the conference Bishop Laurie Green, chair of the network, led us in a moving scriptural meditation which concluded with the Lord's Prayer and a reminder that Jesus encouraged us to pray for God's kingdom to come, and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen to that as we pray and labour for that in Bermondsey (and as others do the same for their urban communities across the nation), offering the word of life and building up communities of the kingdom a.ka. the Church.

Headlines for discussions groups at the NECN conference