St John the Evangelist, Dormansland

This is the Croydon Lay Conference – Inside Out. This year it is going to be an online event via Zoom so it can be joined from home. This free event is taking place on Saturday 6 November from 10.00 to 3.30.

The keynote speaker is Andrew Graystone, and his subject will be Upside Down: A different way of looking at your church’s mission. Andrew Graystone is a well-known writer and broad -caster. His voice will be familiar to Radio 2 and Radio 4 listeners from Prayer for the Day and the Daily Service. His latest book is Faith, Hope and Mischief, published by Canterbury Press. Bishop Jonathan will close the conference by discussing My vision for an inside out church.

There will be 16 workshops to choose from, all concerned with how lay people can take the love and joy they find inside the church out beyond its walls:

 Being a Christian in a digital world

 Faith at home with children

 Growing faith with teenagers

 Unity and diversity in mission and outreach

 Generous living every day

 Nurturing your grandchildren in faith

 Personal Bible reading

 Black Lives Matter in Thought, Word and Deed

 Encouraging people to be outward-looking for the environment

 Everyday faith

 Caring for and serving asylum seekers and refugees

 Making the most of your church buildings for mission

 What 2020 taught us about how to be a Christian

 Mending Circle: repairing, talking and slowing down

 Sharing the Bible in primary schools

 Modern slavery

The inside-out, upside-down event will take place in the context of worship, with generous breaks throughout the day.