LINKS
A quarterly round up of ministerial resources beyond the diocese.
Sent to clergy and licensed lay ministers from the Diocese of Peterborough's Adult Education Department.
Email: liz.holdsworth@peterborough-diocese.org.uk
Website: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/ministry/adulteducation
The focus of Links is on resources from outside the diocese. For resources provided within the diocese, see DON or the Monday Mailing.
In this Issue:
Leadership & Discipleship Training
Mission and Fresh Expressions
Children
Personal Study and Vocation
Theology
Books and Resources
Getting Away
Special Summer Sundays
LEADERSHIP & DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING Top
Music and Worship Foundation: All-age worship day, Saturday 17 May
At Barrow-on-Soar. Practical workshop for clergy, lay leaders, musicians, children’s ministry leaders, young people working with children. £20. Contact Lynne Johnson 01509 416631 midlands@mwf.org.uk MWF also offer consultants, resources, regional and tailor-made training events across a breadth of worship styles – to help you make the most of music in worship in your church. www.mwf.org.uk 0845 396 5224.
Church Leadership & Family Systems, 3- 6 June
London Mennonite Centre. Led by Richard Blackburn. Highly recommended course designed to enhance the ability of participants to function as mature leaders within their churches. A safe forum for processing challenging situations in ministry and reflecting on the human condition in the light of family systems theory. Open to lay and ordained leaders. £325. Some bursaries available. Contact Bridge Builders on 0845 4500 214 bb@menno.org.uk
Liquid Mass - Fresh Expressions of Eucharist, Saturday 7 June
Led by Tim Sledge. 10am – 4pm at Christ Church, Moreton Hall, Lawson Place, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7EW.
If the Eucharist is at the heart of Christian worship, how can we make it live and connect with people of all ages and churchmanship – particularly young people – helping them engage more using all the senses? In what ways can we encourage active engagement rather than passive observation, embracing all the Eucharist offers? To book contact Liz Billett on 01379 642072 or email: disschurch2@btconnect.com no later than 23rd May 2008. Fee £20 incl. lunch, or £16 for Praxis Affiliates.
Change the world around you, 11-15 June or 17-21 September
A 5-day course, developing skills in biblical interpretation and engaging with today’s changing culture. Toolbox is run by the licc. Topics include globalisation and the global disciple; understanding and reading media; understanding your organisation’s ethos and values. £295 incl. tuition, meals and excursions. Contact Jo Dobson 020 7399 9555 mail@licc.org.uk www.licc.org.uk/toolbox
Multi-Church Ministry, 24 - 25 June or 28 - 29 October
A 30 hour workshop on how to make multi-church ministry better. Are you faced with an increasing number of churches to care for, or puzzled about how to make sense of the number you have already? Sessions incl. theory and practice of multi-church ministry, dynamics, implications of collaborative ministry for the mission of the Church, managing pressures, sharing and discovering solutions. Facilitated by Jill Hopkinson & Jeremy Martineau at Offa House nr Leamington Spa. Fee £95. Contact: katrinas@rase.org.uk 024 7685 3073 / 024 7669 6460
Courses at St John’s Nottingham:
Further details of these and other resources in theology from St John’s Extension Studies, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3RL. Tel: 0115 925 1117.
ext.studies@stjohns-nottm.ac.uk www.stjohns-nottm.ac.uk
Kick Start in Greek Week, 14-18 July
For anyone who wants to learn to read the Bible in Greek as quickly as possible! £235 fully residential.
Fit for the Purpose weekend, 12-14 September
For anyone wanting to explore Christian vocation in the widest sense. Highly recommended. 0115 968 3249 a.ward@stjohns-nottm.ac.uk
Postgraduate Diploma in Pastoral Counselling – starts September 2008
A 20-day, part-time course with extensive theological and practical work.
Counselling Skills for Pastoral Care. Starts March 2009
An introductory course combining counselling skills, theology and personal growth.
Introduction to Listening Skills. 23 – 27 March 2009
A five-day residential, stand-alone course for those who want a concentrated experience of listening training.
MISSION AND FRESH EXPRESSIONS Top
www.freshexpressions.org.uk 01865 311838
Loadsa questions? If two Christians meet at a bus stop is that a fresh expression of church? Read the answers on the Fresh Expressions website at www.sharetheguide.org Also a short DVD clip on YouTube www.youtube.com and a new website www.messychurch.org.uk
Bishop’s Mission Orders – new legislation in April relating to the Church of England’s way of recognising fresh expressions of church: www.opsi.gov.uk/.
CHILDREN Top
Cambridge Godly Play
Introductory Study day - full intro to the practice & philosophy of Godly Play Sat 17 May . Using Godly Play during school visits to churches Wed 11 June.
10am-4pm incl. lunch. £25 pp.
Evening sessions: Tues at 7.30pm: Children’s Spirituality 13 May; Play 10 June £7-50 per evening. www.godlyplay.org.uk
PERSONAL STUDY AND VOCATION Top
At the Guy Chester Centre, London. Tel: 020 8883 8204. admin@chestercentre.org.uk
Day on Julian of Norwich, Saturday 26 April
Exploring the writings and experience through prayer and creative reflection. Suggested donation £25.
Turning Dreams into Reality, starting 30 April
Four Wednesday evenings. For every part of your life, learn to express your vision and see the path to make it happen. £80.
Finding God in Nature’s Rhythms - Quiet day, Saturday 17 May
Reflecting on God waiting to be found in the changing seasons of nature and life, using the grounds and gardens of the estate. Suggested donation £25.
Leading Worship Today, Saturday 7 June
Writing prayers, Word & Worship, labyrinths, rituals & symbols, allowing the Spirit room, music, worshipping as you lead. £50.
Turvey Abbey Day Events. Tel: 01234 881432. www.turveyabbey.org.uk
The Almighty has done great things for me, Saturday 31 May
Drawing closer to God through the story of Mary in the Scriptures. £15.
Blessed are you . . . , Saturday 21 June
Exploring the significance of the Beatitudes for contemporary Christian life. £15.
Prayer Conferences at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Tel: 01223 741090. ac588@cam.ac.uk
(The Simeon Centre at Ridley Hall also offers help with planning deanery or parish initiatives in prayer or spiritual direction, short sabbaticals at the centre & a longer course in Spirituality and the Art of Spiritual Direction.)
Treasures of Darkness: Prayer and Suffering, Saturday 10 May
Praying the Scriptures: Learning the Unforced Rhythms of Grace, Friday 5 September
St Stephen’s House, Oxford. Tel: 01865 247874. www.ssho.ox.ac.uk
Understanding Islam, 8-11 June
An introductory course led by Revd Dr David Marshall. Residential, fee £275. Aims to provide an understanding of Islam as Muslims understand it, and to address questions of Christian response to Islam. No prior knowledge of Islam will be assumed.
Summer School, 1 – 5 September
In-house lectures on the relationship between Christianity and culture. Fully residential £695. Weekend B&B £45 per night.
Bridge Builders (London Mennonite Church). bb@menno.org.uk 0845 4500 214
The Church as Hostel: Living Hospitality, Sat 26 April. Explore the Biblical features of hospitality & how we can put these into practice. £20.
The Earliest Gospel Sources & the Gospel of Peace, Sat 31 May. A new stream in NT scholarship, some of its problems & fresh insights. £20
Skills Training for Mediation & Facilitation, Sun 29 June – Fri 4 July. At Scottish Churches House, Dunblane, Scotland.
THEOLOGY Top
MA in Theology, Politics & Faith Based Organisation
New MA starting Sept. at King’s College, London – combines theology and the practice of Christian social, political & economic engagement in the contemporary context. 020 7848 3243 www.kcl.ac.uk
Archbishop’s Research Degrees
Applications for PhD & MPhil degrees in Theology will be accepted from early 2008. Research on “major questions which affect theological understanding” and contexts where “an inter-disciplinary approach is important" encouraged. Application packs from: ruth.ruse@lambethpalace.org
Accessing Theological Research
The Churches Theological Research Trust provides an on-line database of theological researchers which is free to all users. Visit www.ctrt.net to search by name, research discipline and/or location.
Anglican-Lutheran Society
For anyone interested in ecumenical matters and the relationship between the Anglican & Lutheran Churches worldwide. Contact Helen Harding default@ccwatford.u-net.com
BOOKS AND RESOURCES Top
Four Gospels – One Jesus?
Richard Burridge, who led our CME Study day last year, has produced a guided tour of the four Gospels in a 4-disk set, available from St John’s Nottingham for £25. Tel: 0115 925 1117. Email: ext.studies@stjohns-nottm.ac.uk
New Grove booklets : www.grovebooks.co.uk 01223 464748 £2-95
WORSHIP: W190 Introducing Times & Seasons 2:The Easter Cycle;
PASTORAL: P112 Online Church? First Steps Towards Virtual Incarnation
ETHICS: E148 Tenants in God’s Land: Earth-keeping and People
YOUTH: Y9 Staying Safe Online
BIBLICAL: B46 Using the Psalms for Prayer Through Suffering
Sense Making Faith – Body, Spirit, Journey – Anne Richards. £15. ISBN 978 085169 3477. Exploring the Christian tradition using the senses & imagination. A4 format, 150pp, full colour illustrations – ample material to stimulate reflection, action, prayer, Bible study in a group setting, as well as for a personal journey.
GETTING AWAY Top
Pentecost Festival, 9-11 May. Huge Christian festival in London. www.pentecostfestival.co.uk
TS Eliot Festival, Saturday 17 May, plus programme of events and retreats. Ferrar House, Little Gidding. Tel: 01832 293383. www.ferrarhouse.co.uk
Pilgrimages and walks: Camino de Santiago Pilgrimages, N.Spain
Places still available for May 11-26 : Leon to Santiago, 200 miles, led by Ian Holdsworth, Sept 5-21: Leon to Santiago, 200 miles, led by John Knight
Sept 5-21: St Jean to Burgos, 220 miles, led by Ian Holdsworth. Training, preparation & all bookings. Groups of around 12. Tel: 01604 761104 or email: ianholdworth@aol.com
Mount Kilimanjaro, 3-13 October. An organised party led by Mick Finch £2500 minimum sponsorship. Contact Alison Moore 01604 824777.
Reed Boats. Canal boats run by retired vicar, Martin Reed, who built the boats himself. A floating 5 Star Hotel away from the rush of modern life. Max 8 people. Tel: 07977 229103. www.reedboats.co.uk
Celtic & Cathedral Holiday Pilgrimages. In the UK and abroad. Tailor-made packages for parish groups and planned pilgrimages for individuals. www.ukltg.com Email: ukltg@media33.co.uk
Sheldon in Devon. From self catering to one-to-one support, reading weeks, retreats etc, all in beautiful Devon countryside, contact The Society of Mary and Martha, Sheldon, Dunsford, Exeter EX6 7LE, tel: 01647 252752. www.sheldon.uk.com
SPECIAL SUMMER SUNDAYS Top
18 May Not for Sale Sunday www.notforsalesunday.org
1 June Church Urban Fund Sunday www.cuf.org.uk/sunday
8 June Environment Sunday http://en.arocha.org/ukconsunday/index11.html
22 June Refugee Sunday www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=870
13 July Sea Sunday www.missiontoseafarers.org/seasunday.php?h=5