Booking is now open for our innovative #HomeGrown online conference, which is set to form a cornerstone to activities planned this autumn by The Church of England in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese). 

The conference theme is ‘Hearts on fire with love for you’.  

It will be well and truly ‘home grown’ – with no external speakers and every contribution coming from people inside the Diocese – including, of course, the many parishes and schools across the County.  

A series of live sessions on YouTube plus Zoom webinars will be used to achieve twin aims of encouraging people (a morale booster as the dark nights arrive) whilst also learning from each other.  

CLICK HERE for the main conference 'landing page', with all you need to get involved. On the page you will find ...

• Introduction ... to our #HomeGrown online Diocesan conference
• 'Timetable' ... tells you when everything is happening
• 'Seminar options' ... browse and make your choices from a choice of 12 
• Registration ... Eventbrite links to book your choices
• Social media ... YouTube live sessions/engaging on social media during #HomeGrown
• Seminar Leaders ... short biographies of everyone presenting a seminar

In addition to the 12 seminars, there will be several live events premiering on the Diocesan YouTube channel during the two days of the conference.

These take place at 7pm on October 13 and also at 10am and 7pm on October 14 (with additional midday prayer also on YouTube at 12.30pm on the 14th).

You don't need to book for YouTube of course, but we do suggest you visit the channel in advance and click the 'subscribe' button to receive alerts when events go live. 

Please note: All the live sessions will remain on our YouTube channel permanently after initial broadcast to engage with at any time; catch up with if you missed one and/or to share online with your family friends and other members of your church family too. 

As well as the YouTube live sessions there will also be activity on the Diocesan Twitter feed @cofelancs; on the Diocesan Facebook page and the Diocesan Board of Education Twitter feed (@BDBofE) during the two days of our online conference.

You are encouraged to use the #HomeGrown hashtag on social media to chat about your experience of the event; post anything relevant and to chat about what you may have learned.

Watch a video message from Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, about #HomeGrown; Bishop Jill is chairing the conference planning group. 

• Bishop Jill also spoke about the event on BBC Radio Lancashire recently (listen from 1h 51m 50s). 

Speaking in her video message Bishop Jill said: “I have been so impressed by the ways in which our Diocesan family have stepped up and stepped out through all the challenges of lockdown.  

“Key workers have been serving under incredible stress, and yet there’s been new innovations in our hospital chaplaincies. Schools have been closed for six months, and yet our teachers and young people have shown remarkable resilience even despite the challenges of exam results.  

“Food banks have been in overdrive and people have been reaching out to their neighbours in isolation; youth groups have gone online.  

“And yet, as the autumn nights draw in, I know many are tired and worn. The ongoing stress and uncertainty of lockdowns and financial hardships, health worries and the untold sadness of bereavement.  

“This is why we thought it would be timely to gather online for a ‘pick-me-up’. An online #HomeGrown conference. I find so much encouragement from the stories and people across Lancashire. It will be an opportunity to come together for input, seminars, news, worship and fun. 

“The conference theme is ‘Hearts on fire with love for you’. It’s a simple line from Morning Prayer, but this is my hope and prayer for our time together.  

“As we gather together as a family as the nights draw in, may our hearts be warmed with His fire. May His love comfort and restore us.” 

• Keep coming back to the Diocesan website for the latest updates and information on the #HomeGrown conference. 

Ronnie Semley, October 2020