Heart and Soul 2017

AS the cycle of the General Assembly returns each May, so does the accompanying celebration of the church’s life and work in the form of the annual “Heart and Soul” event.

Photos: Heart and Soul by Sanctus Media

With its quasi-festival atmosphere, two stages, and bustling avenues of congregations and exhibitors sharing their stories and projects, it has become firmly fixed in the calendar of all those who enjoy exploring the depth and breadth of the church in its activities and outreach.

Developed in conjunction with the team who prepare the church’s Pray Now annual compendium of prayers, this year’s event is framed with the theme “Word of Life”.

This seemingly simple phrase works on several levels and allows visitors and participants to expand its meaning in ways that suit their situation. “Word of Life” can point to Scripture in which is found the Word of God. It can suggest Christ as the Living Word – “In him was life and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:3).

For others “Word of Life” might point to terms such as forgiveness, grace, or reconciliation. The poetically minded might have a phrase which evokes the idea of something “caught in the wind”, the still small voice, a word in season.

Part of the branding of the theme this year involved creating from wood all the letters that comprise the phrase, “Word of Life”. Each letter is about 3ft tall and can be hand-carried. Keep an eye out for them as you wander around the Gardens. Hopefully they’ll all be recovered in time to be re-assembled for the massed closing worship service!

Over sixty congregations and exhibitors will take up residence in two long avenues of marquees either side of the central stage: the recently renovated Ross Bandstand. They’re all keen to engage with visitors to the event and share their stories, journeys, projects and ambitions. In the adjacent St Cuthbert’s Church are indoor exhibitions and other stage spaces. A special highlight this year will be seeing and hearing from some of the groups around the country supported by funding from the Church of Scotland’s Go For It project.

Main musical contributions come from both old favourites and new encounters: Fischy Music and the Heart and Soul Swing Band keep us on a familiar footing, whilst new voices in the form of a music camp youth group from Scripture Union Scotland showcase the results of their shared time together.

Drawing the event to a close with their own set, and accompanying closing worship are the New Scottish Hymns Band.

The event is free to enter and the gates open at 1pm on Sunday May 21, with the programme commencing at 2pm.

Come when you can, leave when you must! There’s something for everyone, and all ages including special activities for children and young people. The event will close by 6pm.

If you can’t travel to Edinburgh this time around, you can still join in the celebration atmosphere by watching online.

Watch live via the General Assembly web pages or via: www.heartandsoul.org.uk where you can also find details of the programme and essential travel advice.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Neil MacLennan is Event Organiser of Heart and Soul 2017.

This article appears in the May 2017 Issue of Life and Work

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