Soul Conversations
An evening of music, food and honest conversation in Lower Clapton
NOURISH YOUR SOUL
In the heart of Clapton, Soul Conversations is a free monthly evening of music, prayer, food and honest conversation at St James the Great Church, Lower Clapton. We’re building a community that slows down, reflects and explores life’s deeper questions of hope, faith and what it means to be fully human.
No answers or right language needed, just curiosity and openness. Come to speak, to listen to great live music or simply to be.
Pull up a chair, bring a friend and join us at the table.
Vespers
Vespers is evening prayer: a quiet, unhurried way to close the day. Music helps us feel what words can't always express.
Food
True connection happens around a table. We share warm food, and there's always a seat for one more. Community is built with warmth.
Conversations
Each month takes one theme, often drawn from a book, a prominent figure, a moment in history or the present, and opens it up for a room of neighbours, strangers and friends to talk about together.
COME AS YOU ARE
November 2026
Thursday 26 November 2026 | 7pm | St James the Great Church
A musical evening built around two artists who turned music into protest: Tracy Chapman and Gil Scott-Heron. The night asks one question: How do we change the world if we're only watching it? It moves from passive witness to active participation, through song, reflection and honest conversation.
The people around the table
REV SHANA MALONEY
Host
Founder of Soul Conversations, vicar at St James the Great and Dean of Racial Justice for the Stepney area. She opens the doors each month to a space where every story is welcome.
DAVE NEITA
Moderator
Poet, Lawyer and activist, guiding each evening's conversation so every voice has room. Dave often shares an original poetic think-piece relevant to the theme.
EMMET O'CONNOR
Music
Shapes the musical heart of the evening, curating the music and bringing in guest performers who speak to the theme. Emmet threads the meditative atmosphere for the evening.
PANEL SPEAKER
Guest
Most evenings welcome a guest speaker connected to the month’s theme, sharing their experience to spark the conversation.