Greenbelt holds a special place in the heart of folk linked with St Denys Church. In its manifesto it  describes itself as a "festival for both the trad and the rad . Where you can hang out with the Franciscans or hanker for falafel - and find God in both"

I love hearing what inspired people when they return from Greenbelt.

Claire H shared this reflection:

“The world is too dangerous, the world is too beautiful, for anything but love”. 

This year at Greenbelt I sat with the grass between my toes, under canvas, listening to God and others, connecting with those around me and hearing challenging and powerful ideas. In one tent I was petitioned to consider what my vision is, what is important to me. Am I genuinely passionate about climate change? social justice? Israel and Palestine, refugees? and what am I actively, practically doing about these if I am? and to realise  that sometimes our vision can get boring, and when it does it is vital to continue to pursue it in a culture of short attention spans.  

Miranda Threlfall-Holmes similarly helped me to consider what my values are and changed my perspective, approaching the bible in a values-based way. She pointed out, for example, that if something we read in the bible makes us angry or uncomfortable, to not rush past it but ask ourselves why we reacted that way. If we think “that’s not fair!” when we read about the unjust judge or the prodigal son's brother - then we realise that fairness is important to us and we can ask, are these God’s values too? 

In both talks I was moved to consider what Kingdom looks like both in my heart and in my actions for the world around me. I may have left the grass (and the mud!) behind, but there is some deep learning and praying to begin. 

Philip K shared a link to all the talks...available here. which includes talks about Shane Claiborne, the Iona Community, Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Elizabeth Oldfield. (I'm going to make time over the coming weeks to listen to a few, prolonging my Sofa Festival experience)