London and South East - Report from meeting 12th May at All Hallows by the Tower.
All Hallows by the Tower, London – 12 May
The Major Churches Network South East Regional Meeting was held on 12 May at All Hallows by the Tower, bringing together clergy and lay leaders from major churches across London and the South East. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues to share experience, discuss common challenges, and strengthen the relationships that underpin the Network's work. The Major Churches Network exists to support churches with significant heritage, civic and missional responsibilities through collaboration, advocacy and the exchange of good practice.
Hosted by the team at All Hallows by the Tower, one of London's oldest and most significant parish churches, the meeting combined presentations, discussion and informal networking in a welcoming setting. A keynote session was given by Adrian Daffern, who spoke on "Liturgy in Major Churches – Setting the SCENE". Using the acronym SCENE, he explored the distinctive considerations that shape worship in major churches: Scale, Congregation, Expectations, Nuance, and Evangelism. His presentation prompted thoughtful discussion on how liturgy can respond to the unique character of churches that serve as places of daily worship, visitor destinations, civic venues, and centres of mission.
The meeting also featured a presentation by The Revd Vaughan Roberts on "Storytelling and Story-sharing in Major Churches." He encouraged churches to recognise the power of sharing stories of faith, welcome, transformation and community engagement as an integral part of their mission. Drawing on examples from his own experience, he highlighted how compelling stories can deepen discipleship, strengthen relationships with visitors and congregations, and communicate the continuing relevance of the Church's ministry. He also introduced and promoted his book, Kingdom Stories, which explores the impact of storytelling in the life and mission of the Church.
Participants reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing major churches, including sustaining historic buildings, developing ministry and mission, engaging local communities, and managing increasingly complex operational demands. The meeting encouraged the sharing of practical solutions and successful initiatives from across the region, highlighting the value of learning from one another's experience.
As always, the opportunity to visit another major church and hear about its ministry and heritage added an important dimension to the day. The South East regional meetings continue to demonstrate the strength of the Major Churches Network as a forum for mutual support, collaboration and encouragement. Those attending left with fresh ideas, renewed contacts, and a shared commitment to ensuring that major churches continue to flourish as places of worship, welcome, and service within their communities.
Past Events
Our last meeting was on February 24th at All Saints Carshalton (Southwark Diocese), hosted by the Rector, Fr David Fisher, who gave us a fascinating history. We were astounded by the ornate Ninian Comper embellishments - more gold leaf than the grandest of basilicas!
A mix of clergy, musicians and lay officers were present, representing parishes from across the region: Ipswich, Ware, Bedford, Dorchester, Epsom, Canterbury and Kingston.
The main topic for the meeting was choral mission. All Saints Kingston shared some insights from their Lifting Young Voices school outreach programme that they have recently started. And Ipswich Minster talked about their Small Sounds pre-school singing group.
As always, the networking over coffee and lunch was as valuable as the more formal content.
London and South East Regional Meeting 24th February at All Saints Carshalton.
I am delighted to invite you to a gathering of the Major Churches Network – London, South East and Southern, kindly hosted at All Saints Carshalton on Tuesday 24 February, from 9.45am–2.30pm. If you have already received this invitation and have responded thank you.
This meeting will bring together colleagues from across the Network for a morning of shared learning, conversation and mutual support. MCN events are a great opportunity to gather not only clergy but also lay leaders, so please do feel free to bring along a colleague such as your administrator, operations director or another member of your leadership team who would benefit from the day.
Our time together will begin with coffee, followed by a welcome and introductions and a presentation from our host church. We will then enjoy a main presentation on Growing Faith through Music, before moving into national updates and discussion, including a conversation about Diocesan Champions for Major Churches. The latter part of the morning will offer space to share experience and good practice around topics such as managing and governing Eco Groups and dealing with anti-social behaviour around churches. After lunch, there will be an optional tour of the church.
Lunch will be provided, and tea and coffee will be available during the day.
Programme
09.45 am Coffee
10.15 am Introductions
10.30 am Host church presentation
10.50 am Main presentation: Growing Faith through Music
11.40 am Coffee
12.00 pm National news round-up, including discussion on Diocesan Champions for Major Churches
12.20 pm Discussion topics, including:
• How to manage and govern Eco Groups
• Dealing with anti-social behaviour around the church
1.10 pm Lunch
1.45 pm Tour of All Saints Carshalton (optional)
Travel & Parking
By train:
The nearest station is Carshalton, which is approximately a 5–10 minute walk from the church. Regular services run from central London and south London. From the station, walk south along North Street to Carshalton High Street and turn right; the church is located near Carshalton Ponds.
By car:
Limited parking is available on nearby streets, subject to local restrictions. There are also public car parks in the town centre, a short walk from the church. Please allow a little extra time if arriving by car.
If you are able to attend, please let Claire Midgley-Adam (MCN Administrator) know by email:
majorchurches@gmail.com
With every blessing,
Joe Moffatt
Major Churches Network
24th February, 12th May, 20th October 2026
A wonderful day had by all of networking and an interesting talk from Ecclesiasticalon emergency planning. Many thanks to St Jude’s on the Hill for your warm hospitality!
I write to invite you and your colleagues to come to the next London and Southeast Major Churches
Network Meeting at St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, NW11 7AH on
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Our time together will be convened by the Revd Joe Moffatt, Kingston Parish Church, Co-Convener
London and the Southeast Region, as I shall be meeting with the Major Churches’ Team at Church
House, Westminster at the time of our gathering.
Our MCN events are a great opportunity to bring together not only clergy but lay leaders too, so
please bring along your administrator, operations director, head of finance – whichever colleague
you think would benefit from a gathering such as this.
St Jude’s is an extraordinary major Parish Church with an inspirational Vicar, the Revd Emily
Kolltveit. Emily will tell you about how she and her team are trying to restore the fortunes of the parish
church, a masterpiece of Edwin Lutyens, not least through music and a collaboration with world-
famous Courtauld Institute.
The half-day conference will begin with coffee (served from 9.45 am) and continues with
Introductions at 10.00 am, an Introduction from the host parish church, at 10.30 am and our main
input session will begin at 10.50 am. Lunch is scheduled for 1.10 pm and the day will end with a
guided tour of the parish church at 1.45 pm.
Hosted by the Revd Emily Kolltveit
Hampstead Garden Suburb was founded in 1907 by Henrietta Barnett to be a model
community where all classes of people would live together in attractive surroundings and
social harmony. The parish church was built to the designs of Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) widely
acknowledged to be the greatest English architect of the 20th century. The parish church
was consecrated on 7 May 1911. The interior of the parish church is extensively decorated with murals by Walter Starmer
(1877-1961). These include a painting of the last moments in the life of Michael Rennie, the
Vicar's son, who died of exhaustion after rescuing several evacuee children after their ship,
the City of Benares, had been torpedoed on its way to Canada in 1940.
A painting in the dome of the Lady Chapel represents the contribution of Christian women
to the defence of civilization. It was painted as a First World War memorial, but can also be
read as a celebration of the growing recognition of the place of women in society and of
their political rights. The church has one of the earliest memorials to the horses killed in
the First World War (1926). The fine iron screens that flank the sanctuary are much older than the church and bear the
name Matthias Heit and the date 1710. They were given by Princess Louise, sister of King
Edward VII, in 1919. The foundation stones in the Lady Chapel and chancel, laid on St
Mark's Day 1910, are by Eric Gill. The memorial window to Sir John Harmsworth in the St
John’s Chapel is by Robert Anning Bell and makes use of features from 17th century English
Baroque sepulchral monuments. The green and white marble altar is by Lutyens and features in its central panel a picture
by Maurice Greiffenhagen. The Father Willis organ comes from St Jude's church in
Whitechapel where Canon Samuel Barnett, husband of Henrietta Barnett, the founder of
Hampstead Garden Suburb, was vicar.
London and Southeast Major Churches Regional Gathering
St Jude on the Hill, Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, NW11 7AH
11th March 2025
Programme
09.45 am Coffee
10.15 am Introductions
10.30 am Introduction by the Revd Emily Kolltveit
10.50 am Main Presentation: Emergency Planning, Joseph Davies, Church Support
Manager, Ecclesiastical
11.40 am Coffee
12.00 am National News round-up, including a report on the MCN National Biennial
Conference 2025, held at Sunderland Minster and Hexham Abbey in
September
12.30 am Input Session 2
13.10 am Lunch
13.45 am Tour of the Minster for those who wish
Emergency Planning
‘A significant event like a fire or flood can pose a major challenge for churches to continue to
provide services for worshippers or others who may use the church premises. Having an
emergency plan in place can help minimise the impact. In this session Joseph Davies, Church
Support Manager with Ecclesiastical, will take you through the steps to devise a plan so that
should the worse happen your response is quicker and more effective ‘
Travelling to St Jude’s
BY CAR
There is parking available in the surrounding streets but there are no car parks. If you
have access requirements and require a reserved parking space, please contact the parish
church. As this is a residential area, please park considerately or preferably use public
transport.
BY LONDON UNDERGROUND
The nearest underground is Golders Green Station which is on the Edgware branch of the
Northern Line. Walking from this station to Central Square takes approximately 15
minutes.
Alternatively, you can take the H2 bus from Golders Green bus terminus by the station. Get
off at Heathgate and you will see St Jude's up the hill.
BY BUS
There are four main bus routes. The H2 bus takes you closest to St Jude's, as it goes around
Hampstead Garden Suburb. The other buses 13, 102 and 460 all stop at Finchley Road -
Hoop Lane, which is only a 10-minute walk to Central Square.
Tel: 020 37291382
Email: administrator@stjudeonthehill.com
www.stjudeonthehill.com
If you can come to this event, please let Joe Moffatt know by email:
joe@allsaintskingston.co.uk
With every blessing,
The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Evans
National Convener, Major Churches Network
Rector of St Marylebone