This book celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, it explores the role of the city of Bath in her work, and seeks to draw out lessons for the contemporary church and the challenges that it faces. The key is the foundational importance of everyday conversation, as a whole variety of characters unfold their lives amid the realities of pride and prejudice, the richness of sense and sensibility, the role of persuasion and the personal stories of an intriguing variety of people seeking love and friendship, security, and stability. In a world focused on the importance of large scale structures, systems and solutions, we are challenged to revisit the important role of 'when two or three are gathered together' - the way and the wisdom of the Book of Common Prayer, in which Jane Austen's life in a clergy family would have been rooted. Every conversation counts - that is our challenge and our opportunity.
