Our assemblies in July-December 2022

What kind of future do we want?

• 3rd July 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: David Wood

Fast-changing technology might bring all kinds of benefits. Or plunge us into dystopia. At least, that’s what Hollywood and Netflix suggest. How can we assess which future scenarios are truly credible? And how can we go beyond “future shock” at some of these ideas, to figure out which scenarios are truly desirable – and which others are to be feared? David Wood, Chair of London Futurists, will join us to help us explore how life could become significantly better in just a few short decades. He’ll share his views about the future of health, the future of work, the future of communities, and the future of sustainability. Prepare to wonder!

‘Apple Pie Part 2’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ilci9y6uN4M

Exceptional Individuals

• 17th July 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Matt Boyd
• Guest speaker: Victoria Melody

One of the most positive developments of the 21st century has been the acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity. First coined in 1998, ‘neurodiversity’ is the idea that certain developmental disorders and learning difficulties are normal variations in the brain, and are essential strands in the fabric of humanity. Our main speaker, Matt Boyd, will talk to us about the organisation he founded, Exceptional Individuals, which helps neurodivergent people find work that suits their unique set of traits as well as assisting employers in supporting their neurodivergent staff.

Hosted by renowned slam poet Robin Lamboll, this assembly will include summer-y sing-alongs with the Sunday Assembly Band, a guest performer, and a talk from a member of our community who is Trying Their Best. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community. 

Picnics

• 31st July, 7th August, 21st August

Create communities, not cults

• 4th September 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Matthew McNaught
• Performer: Variety D

Just as the famous Cheers theme tune goes, “you want to be where everybody knows your name”. We all want to feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves and that we belong. What does a group of people need to do to feel connected? What kinds of shared values need to be established in order to build a community that has strong foundations capable of withstanding growth and change over time? And what possible dangers or pitfalls can such a collective encounter? At our next assembly, author Matthew McNaught will share his own spiritual journey as described in his essay “Immanuel” and explore the ways in which communities that start with the best intentions are often plagued by tyranny and corruption.

Hosted by co-founder of Sunday Assembly Sanderson Jones, this gathering will bring us together with moving sing-alongs led by the Sunday Assembly Band, poetry by guest performer Variety D, and a talk from Joshua Becker, a member of our community who is an expert on collective consciousness. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

This Technicoloured Life

• 18th September 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Sue Kreitzman

One day, while acclaimed TV chef and cookbook author Sue Kreitzman added the final touches to her 27th cookbook, she had an epiphany: she made a doodle of a mermaid, and fell in love with it. Until that moment, she thought she was incapable of making art herself, only admiring the art of others. Soon she began drawing and painting on anything in reach using whatever materials appealed to her. There was no plan or purpose, just a passion for creating with colour. She joined London’s Outsider Art movement in the early 2000s and has never looked back. Her riotously joyful colour palette is as visible in the way she dresses as in her art – indeed, she is a walking work of art.

At this assembly, Sue will talk about her love of self-expression through clothing and her involvement with the Colour Walk community: a group of people who meet up monthly to wear colourful clothing together. So we’re inviting all of you to dress up in your most vibrant threads. Get creative and make some accessories too, by turning objects into wearable art!

Hosted by poet and author Anj Cairns, this assembly will include colourful sing-alongs with the Sunday Assembly Band and a talk from Lizetta Lyster, a member of our community who has lived a very colourful life! Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

Something inside so strong

• 2nd October 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Andrew Hoerlein
• Poet: Alex Williams

Booker T Washington wrote that “…success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” At this assembly, community member Andrew Hoerlein will share the story of his own life-changing obstacle when he fell from a mountain and was rescued by paramedics. Forced to put his trust in others for his own survival, he became fascinated by the work they do, leading him on a path to become one of them. Andrew will talk about what it means to hold someone else’s life in your hands and the importance of making plans for our own eventual ends.

We will also honour Black History Month with sing-along songs by black artists and a poetry reading on this theme by Alex Williams. Our event will be hosted by Matt Lockwood and feature a special performance by the Sunday Assembly London Choir. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

Knowing When to Quit

• 16th October 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Sarah Weiler

Quitting used to have negative connotations- a quitter was once considered weak or lacking in conviction. In recent years the pendulum has swung completely in the opposite direction as people take pride in announcing their ‘dealbreakers’. Sarah Weiler is a Quitting Coach: an expert in guiding people through periods in their lives when they need to make difficult decisions. At this assembly, Sarah will teach us about the methods she uses to help people decide whether the time is right to move on or they should stay the course.

This assembly will be hosted by Mags Houston, the Head of Projects and Communications at Drug Science. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

Dig into the Past

• 6th November 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Maiya Pina-Dacier
• Poet: Cheryl Cohen

Let’s go on a DigVenture! Move over, Indiana Jones, and catch ya later, Lara Croft; make room for Maiya! Maiya Pina-Dacier is an archaeologist and Head of Community at DigVentures, an organisation that helps ordinary people experience the excitement of going on an archaeological dig. She’ll tell us all about how this incredible organisation got started and what you can do to support their work.

We’ll also hear original poetry by Cheryl Cohen and a talk by Gwawr Thomas, a member of our community who has been on several DigVentures. This event will be hosted by Sunday Assembly’s Adventurer in Chief, Matt Lockwood. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

The First Rule of Mental Fight Club…

• 20th November 2022, 11:00am
• Speakers: Ian McCartney and Neil Coles
• Poet: Norman Welch

Peer support groups exist to help people work through their personal struggles while simultaneously helping others. But they’re not the best fit for everyone. It can feel uncomfortable to sit in a group and talk about each person’s problems. What if there was a better way? Mental Fight Club is an open, welcoming group which puts on exciting, well-organised and inspirational creative events and projects. Its aim is to narrow the divide between the ‘ill’ and the ‘well’ through social engagement. Ian McCartney, Development Director at Mental Fight Club, and Neil Coles, the Senior Project Manager will talk about this amazing charitable organisation that has benefited countless people since its inception in 2003.

This assembly will be hosted by street art blogger Stuart Holdsworth and will feature poetry by Norman Welch. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

The How of Happy

• 4th December 2022, 11:00am
• Speaker: Ariane Sherine
• Poet: Christopher Kraken

When we chase happiness, it runs away like a cat when you’re trying to give it a bath, but the world of pop psychology is filled with competing advice that either claims it can help you catch it or warns you not to seek it out at all.

Comedian Ariane Sherine was determined to find the true path to happiness, so she enrolled public health expert David Conrad to help out (and write a book in the process). She’ll be talking about what the studies say you should do to find happiness in your relationships, your friendships, your finances, your sex life and your career.

This assembly will be hosted by resident human guinea pig Matt Lockwood and will feature poetry by Christopher Kraken. Please stay after for tea, biscuits, and engaging conversations with members of our community.

Yule Rock 2022

• Friday 9th December 2022, 7:00pm

Come one, come all to Sunday Assembly London’s annual seasonal sing-along, Yule Rock! We’re decking the halls and jingling our bells as we return to Conway Hall for the most festive night of the year. All your favourite Christmas classics will be included, from Elton to Wizzard, plus a few surprises, as always. Hosted by Master of the Master of Ceremonies and permanent member of the Naughty List Sanderson Jones, this event will feature music by our community band and choir, a cashless bar serving alcoholic and alcohol-free beverages (please bring your card or smartphone), and complimentary mince pies.

Dress your silliest, sparkliest best- Christmas jumpers, baubles, fairy lights, antlers, and any wintry delights are welcome! This all-ages party will be full of joy for family and friends.

Yule Rock is brought to you by Sunday Assembly London, a secular community that celebrates life under the motto “Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More”. We are part of a global movement for good, and we welcome all who welcome all. Our congregation meets twice a month at Conway Hall in Holborn to hear inspiring talks, sing together, and get to know each other over tea and cake.

Snow Globe

• 18th December 2022, 11:00am

Ho, ho, snow!

It’s that time again when we round up the end of the year with a festive celebration. Join us for seasonal songs and tales of wonder from around the (snow) globe, all performed by members of the Sunday Assembly London community.

Don’t tell anyone, but we heard a rumour that a special someone in a red and white suit may make an appearance – Hail Santa!

Join us at Conway Hall for all the singing, tea and biscuits and some jolly old XMAS JOY!