Peace be with you

Heart and Soul 2017

THE General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is now only a few weeks away and with it, on Sunday May 20, comes the everpopular “Heart and Soul” celebration of the life and work of the church – in all its parts.

“Peace be with you!” is the over-arching theme for this year and within the activities, exhibition space and programme items this theme will be explored and embellished by artists, musicians, congregations and exhibitors throughout the day.

Alongside the theme, the church also acknowledges and celebrates 2018 as the ‘Year of Young People’.

In advance of the traditional Heart and Soul event on Sunday we’re delighted to announce a special event for young people on Saturday evening (May 19) at 7pm in the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens (West). Over two hours it’s hoped that over one thousand young folks will gather for a fantastic event led by a team from Powerpoint Scotland. The evening culminates with top UK Christian band LZ7 performing a (free!) show, live, on the stage.

Taking place right in the heart of the capital city, this is sure to be a memorable and significant event for all who can come along. (There’s no upper age-limit, so if you’re ‘young at heart’ then you’re most welcome too!). If you want an advance sneak peek at LZ7, check them out here: www.lz7.co.uk. The evening event finishes by 9pm to allow folks to have broad availability for public transport options home.

On the Sunday, we’ve added a new Stage (“C”), designated as a “Family Stage”. From lunchtime you can play your part in the theme by “Bringing Your Piece/Peace”(!) at the picnic area in front of the stage. Later, this is where you’ll find perennial favourites Fischy Music along with a full programme all the way to 5pm at which point the focus returns to the Ross Bandstand for the massed closing worship service.

Over sixty exhibitors comprising congregations, councils and committees of the church and other organisations are taking part in a new “village” layout which we hope will provide a more ‘community’ feel and give the event a bit more ‘room’ to breathe. Our free programme guide (available at each entrance) will include a map and timetable so that you can explore the event fully.

Finally, we’re delighted to introduce a new “In Conversation” tent hosted by Hugh Pym (BBC Health Editor and Church of Scotland Elder) covering a range of topics and featuring special guests including Sally Magnusson, outgoing Moderator the Very Rev Dr Derek Browning with National Youth Moderator Robin Downie and the Very Rev Dr Lorna Hood with Louise MacDonald of Young Scot. See the Heart and Soul website for full details of topics, guests and timetable.

“Heart and Soul” takes place in Princes Street Gardens (West), Edinburgh on May 19/20, 2018. Gates open at 6.30pm for the Saturday event and 12.30pm for the Sunday event, which concludes around 6pm. It’s free to enter and all are welcome. See the website:www.heartandsoul.org.uk for more details, helpful transport advice, accessibility features and, of course, the programme.

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 at www.churchofscotland.org.uk or via www.heartandsoul.org.uk. One way or the other, we hope you can experience something of this very special day in the life of the church. Peace be with you!

Neil MacLennan is Event Organiser of Heart and Soul 2018.

This article appears in the May 2018 Issue of Life and Work

Click here to view the article in the magazine.

To view other articles in this issue Click here.

If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive here.