The launch of Fresh Expressions London Region

On Saturday 21 March, Methodists engaged with or considering an idea for New Places for New People (NPNP) in London joined with pioneers from other denominations at Methodist Central Hall Westminster, for the launch of the Fresh Expressions London Region. Fresh Expressions is the national, ecumenical body that represents and resources all those starting new ways of being church, or what Methodists call NPNP. It was a great opportunity to get together to enable this new regional network to grow - through sharing innovative ideas and supporting and encouraging one another on our mission to start new outreach projects and new worshipping communities.

At this first event we heard from Dave Cotterill, a Salvation Army pioneer in Deptford. He, with his wife Cerys, started Soul Community - a network of projects to explore being community through partnership and collaboration. They don’t have a church building, so they have had to build relationships outside their denomination in the wider community. These have included the owner of a coffee stand on Deptford Market; the landlord of a pub called The Standard on Tanners Hill and a fitness instructor who wanted to provide new mothers with activities to improve their mental health. These relationships have enabled them to gain access to shared spaces in the locality. Dave now has a team who lead various expressions of their community including the Deptford Community Choir, Stretch and Relax for women and young children, and walking meditations beside the River Thames. Here is a link to find out more Soul Community – Deptford Community Choir.

We had an update from Sue Shortman on the Vauxhall project and learnt about her experience of pioneering in Birmingham with Street Banquet. Baptist Minister, Dave Mann, shared about his work in Manor Park with those who are marginalised and beginning to explore faith; as well as the redevelopment of the Bonny Downs Community Centre into a new Bonny Downs Abbey with studio flats for the street homeless. It is hoped that these will enable people who have experienced homelessness to adjust to living with a roof over their heads, while being enabled to find a permanent home.

We were also joined by Mark Robinson, who is part of the national Fresh Expressions team, who gave an update on new developments including an initiative called Brave Spaces and I led some reflective worship. There was also plenty of time for facilitated conversation about what had been shared and how it might be relevant to our different contexts. This was led by Sharon Nugent from the Learning Network in the Connexional team.

A survey has been produced for those who came along and one for the pioneers I’ve met who were not able to make the event. The feedback from these forms will ensure future gatherings work better for people in terms of timings, and more accurately reflect their interests and needs. If you don’t already receive emails from me, and would like to, please contact me to let me know. Details of forthcoming events, District-led and otherwise - will also be posted on the NPNP pages of the London District website.

Andrea Campanale, New Places for New People District Lead