Belonging Conference
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that around 8.6 million people across the UK now live alone, and that number is growing in every age group. Research from over 3,000 single Christians tells us that far too many feel their church culture is not invitational to their experiences. How can we create a church culture that helps every person in our congregations truly flourish?
So we are excited to invite anyone with a heart for Jesus to our inaugural in-person conference 'Belonging: Every Single Person Loved, Welcomed and Valued' on the 26th September at St Ethelburga’s Centre in London. Register here
Did you know…being single friendly is part of church mission?
We are bringing people together at the beginning of Single Friendly Church Week with a message: single people need more nuanced and compassionate responses from other Christians - about their life experiences, how this is relevant to our faith journeys and most importantly, what we can do to be more understanding and welcoming in our church contexts.
Join us at the Belonging Conference in September for thought-provoking day of insightful talks, panel discussions and mini workshops all on the theology of singleness, single ministry as mission, the nuances of faith relationships, church challenges, single people's stories, and much more.
This event is to explore how we can change the culture around singleness in churches across denominations, and so all interested in this are welcome to attend - from clergy and leadership teams to singles, not single and the curious!
Where: St Ethelburga’s Centre, London
When: 26th September 2026, 10:00am-4:00pm
Tickets: We have two different ticket prices depending on your circumstances. By buying a ticket you are helping us to raise money for Single Friendly Church Network.
Who is this conference for?
This is not an event for single people solely – but to ask how we can change the culture around singleness in churches across denominations.We want to invite church decision makers, passionate advocates, single people from all contexts - from single and dating, widowed, single in faith, single by choice, single parents, etc - to married or coupled people who are curious about the cause….all are welcome!
We want to welcome anyone to come along and hear about why single friendliness in church is so important.
And if you’re part of a church committed to this campaign, this conference is definitely for you! Could you send a representative from your church or context? We would love to see you there. Speak to our Church Engagement Manager Liz for more information.
Programme of the Belonging Conference
26th September
10:00am - 10:30am
Doors open, registration, tea & coffee available
10:30am - 10:40am
Opening Prayer and welcome
10:40am - 11:00am
Jesus Was Single - keynote by our Executive Director, Sorcha Connell
11:00am - 11:30am
More Than a Season: A Panel Discussion on Singleness and Community
- with representative of different denominations
11:30am - 11:45am
Reflection time with questions
11:45am - 12:30pm
Morning Workshop Sessions - 3 options:
One Church, Many Experiences – listen and/or share about the experience of being single in church
The Church is a Village – exploring more about the nature of community
Spiritual Reflection - an opportunity to go deeper with certain scripture readings, in the style of Lectio Divina
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Lunch - Bring your own or buy locally
1:30pm - 2:00pm
The Journey of Single Friendly Church Network - with our Founder Jackie Elton
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Belonging: Single Friendly as part of church mission - keynote with Rev Kate Wharton
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Afternoon Workshop Sessions - 3 options:
Single Friendly through the Seasons - practical resources for key points in the church calendar
How to become a more Single Friendly Church? – discussion and brainstorming
Personal mission – Reflective space
3:00pm - 3:15pm
Comfort Break/Networking time, tea & coffee available
3:15pm - 3:45pm
Dreaming the future where all single people are welcomed in churches - Panel discussion with representative of churches from our network
3:45pm - 4:00pm
Final plenary, round up of event and thank yous
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Opportunity to network/make connections, tea & coffee available
Belonging Conference: Speakers and Panellists
Sorcha Connell Keynote: Jesus was Single: Rethinking Family, Community, and Calling
Sorcha is our Director of the Single Friendly Church Network, and her career so far has been mainly with faith-based organisations, individuals and charities. Sorcha has studied Theology, Interfaith and Religious Studies at three universities, is a qualified Spiritual Director, and has a passion for living in intentional communities with an ecumenical ethos.
Jackie Elton Keynote: The Journey of Single Friendly Church Network
Jackie Elton is the founder and Chair of Single Friendly Church Network. Jackie was the founder and for over 20 years the Managing Director of Christian Connection, the UK’s largest Christian dating site, and also a founding Director of the Online Dating Association. Jackie is also the Chair and Founder of Transforming Cleft an international cleft charity which helps children and young adults born with cleft in the developing world. She is also a trustee of the Highway One Charitable Trust. Jackie was educated at Cambridge University and has an MBA from London Business School.
Rev Kate Wharton Keynote: Belonging: Single Friendly as part of church mission
Kate is Vicar of St. Bartholomew's Church in Roby, Liverpool, and a member of Church of England General Synod. She is the author of 'Single Minded: Being single and whole and living life to the full" and Trustee of St Mellitus College and Single Friendly Church Network.
Panellists: Singleness - More Than a Season:
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Warren Nettleford
Warren is a Royal Television Society award-winning broadcaster who has built a career telling stories for some of the UK’s leading broadcasters (BBC, Channel 4, 5 News, ITV News). He is also a trustee of Single Friendly Church Network.
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Sarah Brier
Sarah manages the digital communications and social media for Single Friendly Church Network. Sarah has also worked in a comms role at a large Anglican church for the past 6 years, and attends an Assemblies of God church. She is a single mum and is passionate about church being a place where everyone feels welcome.
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Bhanuka Warnasooriya
Bhanuka is currently training for ordination in the Church of England at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He has previously served in leadership within the Community of St Anselm at Lambeth Palace, and served as a chaplain to the College of Bishops. Bhanuka is currently writing a thesis on desexualising intimacy through Johannine theology, asking what intimate friendship might offer in an age of epidemic loneliness.
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Dawn Hobson
Dawn is Head of Partnerships and Signposting at the bereavement charity At A Loss. Loss and Hope is it’s church-focused project, with the goal to equip UK churches of every denomination to reach out to their communities in bereavement support for social transformation, wellbeing and mission.
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Emily Smith
Emily belongs to the Orthodox Church in Clapham. For the past year she has lived in a contemporary monastic community in New Zealand, was an assistant in the local L'Arche community, and is now a carer. Emily is interested in care ethics and making friends.
Panellists: Dreaming the future where all single people are welcomed in churches
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Laura Evans
Laura is the Pioneer Mission Worker at St Matthew’s and St Luke's, primarily based around outreach in the local area, especially with those in their 20s and 30s. Laura is passionate about fostering community and discipleship. She also loves helping people get to grips with the Bible. In her spare time, Laura loves watching and talking about films/TV.
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Dave Pickett
Dave is the Assistant Pastor at The Hub Church, Hitchin in Hertfordshire. Dave loves football and music and is passionate about creating spaces where people can encounter God whatever their story or background.
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Dave Hunt
Dave is a member of one of the churches in our network: All Saints, Woodford Wells in Essex and teacher of Economics and Business in Secondary school in East London. Dave is passionate about seeing churches equip and encourage men and women to live out their Christian calling and grow into all that God has called them to be in Christ.
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Rachel Aston
Rachel is part of the Pastoral staff team at North^ Church, Leeds, and a definite Yorkshire lass at heart!
As a single person herself, Rachel is passionate about ensuring singles from all stages and ages of life are welcomed and valued, and that churches equip them with great tools and teaching to thrive in the Kingdom. She is also a Registrar for North^ Church and loves a good wedding!
