These two reflections offer a warm and honest glimpse into the Major Churches Network 2025 Conference, Pretty & Gritty, held in Sunderland and Hexham. Written by Rev’d Rachel Shuttleworth and Liz Thornton from St Helens Parish Church, St Helens, they share complementary perspectives from clergy and lay leadership, capturing both the richness and the reality of ministry in major churches. Together, their reflections celebrate the depth of connection, practical wisdom and generous hospitality that made the conference such a formative and encouraging experience.

Sunderland and Hexham was my first experience of a Major Churches Conference, and I very much hope it won’t be my last! As an incumbent of a Major Church the network has been a source of wisdom, understanding and grace over the last few years and the conference merely built on those firm foundations. So often, I find in clergy circles that what I spend my ministry doing and the issues I face are just different from my colleagues. The MCN has been the one place where I know I don’t have to explain myself or be looked at as though I have two heads. Over the three days, it was great to spend time sharing with friends from around the countries about some of the joys and stresses of ministry. The programme was really well balanced, plenty of networking and conversation, worship, workshops and information sharing. I really valued learning from the experience of others, and the topics for discussion in workshops were really practical and pertinent. A real highlight for me was the conference dinner on Thursday evening – delicious food, incredible entertainment, and an atmosphere of humour and friendship that made me feel truly blessed to be there. I am already looking forward to the next conference, thank you so much to all those who worked so hard to bring it all together. Rev’d Rachel Shuttleworth.

“The Major Churches Network have announced their conference Liz, and I think you should come with me. It’s called Pretty & Gritty”. Thus, the decree was issued by Rev Rachel, and, once I’d got over whether I was the pretty or the gritty one of our duo - off to Sunderland we went! I don’t know what I was expecting, I’d been to a MCN regional meeting previously and knew the people were lovely, but 3 days of networking as an introvert… Rachel, that just sounds like hard work! How wrong could I have been? From worshipping together, headline speakers and smaller seminars, to the late-night socialising (optional – and probably not that late for most – this is from the one who wants to be in pyjamas by 9.00pm!) there were so many wonderful highlights. Spending time with people who minister and work in similar settings means everyone just ‘gets it’. Conversations start on a different level; challenges are understood and solutions offered with kindness and wisdom. A highlight was meeting and spending time with colleagues who hold similar roles to mine (Operations and Events Manager). Leading from the “second chair,” especially when you’re not clergy, can sometimes feel a little lonely, as you often don’t have an obvious place within the usual structures. Our conversations were open, honest, and encouraging and I left feeling grateful and empowered. Finally, a mention must be made of everyone in Sunderland and Hexham who looked after us. As someone who organises things for a living, we were catered for amazingly well, with every detail considered and each session offering something useful and inspiring. Everyone I met was so welcoming and generous with their time and insight, and the hospitality we received really was outstanding. For anyone who is thinking about attending a future Major Churches Network conference, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. Roll on 2027! Liz Thornton, Operations & Events Manager.