Start The Week

Last Chance to Order!!

Due to the huge success of the Diamond Jubilee New Testaments the order deadline has been extended to May 14th.

To order please contact Lynn at Biblica:

028 9073 5875

lynn.robinson@biblica.com

CMS UK Mission Training Day

A message from Mike Burke at CMS:

Dear Colleague

As a Diocesan Missioner, I would like to inform you about an exciting opportunity to explore how we engage in mission with the people and places around us? For instance:

•  “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” Ever heard that before? How can you show Jesus to such people?
•  When you think of mission, do you think of places such as Africa? But what about mission in the UK and can people from Africa help us to understand that mission?
•  What if all the people you know have given up on the whole idea of ‘church’ and organised religion, yet still have spiritual questions? How can you respond?
•  What if you are a British Asian and interested in finding out more about Yesu (Jesus)? Where do you go?
•  What common ground do Christians share with people who care about their environment and how can we work with others to transform our communities?
•  How can we share Jesus with refuges and asylum seekers in our area?

 CMS currently has 13 mission partners working in the UK. You are invited to come and meet those mission partners and exchange ideas with others who are committed to living out God’s mission in Britain today. (For their stories see the attached document).

 “You are Here” is a day of training and discovery – a time to exchange resources and relationships that support local mission.

Practical workshops will include:

• Mission among a generation who don’t do ‘church’
• Working with British Asians
• Growing Together - mission through and to God's creation
• Creative ways to connect with spiritual seekers
• Mission among UK refugees
• Mission among young people in the UK
• Pioneering Training – dreamers who ‘do’

When:                       Saturday 9 June 9.30 – 4.00                  

Where: CMS, Oxford, OX4 6BZ

How much: £15 per person (includes lunch), £10 Concessions

RSVP: by May 25^th to Mike Burke:   01865 787515     michael.burke@cms-uk.org 

For more information: Click here and download the flyer. I would be most grateful if you could publicise this event to interested people in your Diocese.

Yours in Christ

Mike Burke

Church in the Margin

Download Church in the Margins BOOKING FORM

Letters Home

Letters Home is a new research bulletin produced by The Sheffield Centre and Fresh Expressions. It is a collection of pieces written by pioneers called to follow Christ beyond the existing Church. The first issue looks at the tensions experienced by pioneers as they go, including some discussion of sodal and modal forms of church.

http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/news/lettershome01

CHRISM Summer Conference

Ministry outside the Walls

The Kingdom is among us – at work, rest and play.

Sharing experiences of Ministry and the Kingdom, wherever you have found it.

CHRISM Summer Conference  13^th - 15^th July, 2012

Woodbrooke Quaker Adult Study Centre, Bournville, Birmingham

Involving a wide range of contributors, we plan to explore themes such as:

• theological education and training for ministry in work
• innovative and prophetic social mission through our work
• the value of ministry in work
• the impact Christians can have on the organisations in which they work

• ministry in the manufacturing and retail sectors

The weekend incorporates the CHRISM AGM and visits to local places of interest and of work.

Download Flyer Summer 2012

Forthcoming Lectures at St John's Nottingham

College Lectures happen at 12.05 every Wednesday during teaching term, and are part of the learning programme for all students. This term we have some exciting visitors!  Do look out for further updates. 

The events are open to local people (or not so local if you are willing to travel!).

Cost: £6 to cover administration. Lunch is extra and must be pre-booked.

 Space is limited, so places MUST be booked in advance by contacting 0115 925 1114.

16 May

Matt Wilson

Concrete Faith; reaching disadvantaged communities 

Matt will be sharing his story of how the Eden Network – part of the Manchester based Message Trust - transforms communities from the inside out.  He will also preach at Evening Worship.

 23 May

Mike Sares

The Left Out, the Right-Brained and the Grace of God

Senior Pastor of Scum of the Earth Church, Denver, Colorado, Mike will be talking about the development of Scum of the Earth, the theological principles underpinning his ministry, and reaching out to those the church often fails to connect with.

To book, contact Ruth Taylor at St John’s

Tel: 0115 925 1114

Email: r.taylor@stjohns-nottm.ac.uk

Cliff College Jobs

The College is advertising 2 new and additional academic positions. With both positions there is the possibility of the successful applicant taking up a senior academic role in the life of the College.

Lecturer in Missiology: To be part of a team teaching in the general area of mission across all Cliff College programmes. To supervise research students. Ability to teach in one or more of the following area in addition to missiology: Biblical Studies, Youth/Children’s/Third Age Mission, mentoring, Celtic mission, renewal,emerging church, Wesleyan theology. You will contribute to the Faculty and the wider life of the College.

Lecturer in Theology: To be part of a team teaching in the general area of theology across all Cliff College programmes. To supervise research students. Ability to teach in one or more of the following area in addition to theology: Biblical Studies, Youth/Children’s/Third Age Mission, mentoring, Celtic mission, renewal, emerging church, Wesleyan theology. You will contribute to the Faculty and the wider life of the College.

For more details please download the below.

Download Cliff College Academic Posts - Advertisement

Download Cliff College Lecturer in Missiology job description

Download Cliff College Lecturer in Theology job description

College of Evangelist Study Day

Study and Commissioning Day led by J.John at Wilson Carlile College, Sheffield

Wed 16th May 2012

10.30: Welcome and Coffee

11: Study Morning

12.30: Lunch and College Meeting;

2: Commissioning – Preacher Rt. Revd. Dr. Steven Croft.

3.15: Close.

The Study day and commissioning  is the launch of our new partnership with Church Army

 The Study morning is free for College of Evangelists members and Church Army Evangelists for everyone else the day costs £10 and all are welcome.

See the Wilson Carlile Centre web site

Church Army
Wilson Carlile Centre
50 Cavendish Street
Sheffield
S3 7RZ

 

New Monasticism Day Recordings and Presentations

Over 100 people met last Thursday in Sheffield Cathedral to discuss New Monasticism and Mission Communities.

Below you will find copies of the recordings from the day for you to listen to and the presentations for you to download.

Recordings:

• Bishop Steven's Introduction and Chris Neal's session on Modal and Sodal:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52600594/Bishop%20Steven's%20Introduction%20and%20Chris%20Neal's%20session%20'Sodal%20and%20Modal'.mp3

• Beth Keith's Session on the Experience of Pioneers in Modal and Sodal:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52600594/Beth%20Keith's%20session%20'Experience%20of%20Pioneers%20in%20Sodal%20and%20Modal.mp3

•  Ian Mobsby's session on New Monasticism:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52600594/Ian%20Mobsby%20Session%20'New%20Monasticism'.mp3

• Annie Naish Seminar on Renewing the Vision at Lee Abbey and Scargill:

 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52600594/Annie%20Naish%20Seminar%20'Renewing%20the%20vision-%20Lee%20Abbey%20and%20Scargill'.mp3

• Diane Kershaw's seminaron The Order of Mission:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52600594/Diane%20Kershaw%20Seminar-20The%20Order%20of%20Mission.mp3

• Philip Roderick's Seminar on Travelling Deep, Dwelling Light:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52600594/Philip%20Roderick%20Seminar%20'Travelling%20Light%2C%20Dwelling%20Deep'.mp3

Presentations:

Download Bishop Steven's Address

Download Beth Keith. Experiences of Pioneers in Modal and Sodal

Download Beth Keith's Presentation on Experiences of Pioneers in Modal and Sodal

Download Ian Mobsby's Presentation on New Monasticism

Download Shannon Hopkins' Notes on Building a Missional Community Through Social Enterprise

Encounters on the Edge

We invite you to subscribe to a series of booklets on fresh expressions of Church called Encounters on the Edge, produced by The Sheffield Centre, Church Army's Research Unit. Authored by George Lings and Claire Dalpra, they are a rare and useful resource that wrestles with deeper questions concerning fresh expressions of Church in our UK context. A combination of storytelling and much-needed theological and strategic reflection, they are ideally suited for reflective practitioners, theological students and diocesan staff/clergy tasked with overseeing fresh expressions.

An annual subscription of £15 gets you four issues and discounts on the back catalogue, as well as updates on other free resources The Sheffield Centre produces. At over 400 subscribers, this is an influential resource that is now into its 13^th year.

Visit www.encountersonthedge.org.uk to browse our catalogue. To give you a taste we are currently offering a free PDF booklet of your choice before subscribing, for a limited time only. Please e-mail Laurence on l.keith@sheffieldcentre.org.uk to subscribe or request your free copy.

 

Foundation Degree in Pioneering

For more information about the foundation degree in pioneering  Download FDA

Discipleship, Children and the Unchurched, our Last Chance Saloon?

Monday 18th June, Ridley Hall, Cambridge. 7.30-9.30pm

Rev John Walker a vicar from Kent will be talking about his ground breaking research through the University of Kent which may help us to discern more of a hopeful vision for the future of the church. His research has been featured in the Church Commissioners Resourcing Mission Bulletin. This is a great opportunity to hear what John has to say and how it might impact our ministries.

This event is jointly organised by the Children's Advisor of the Diocese of Ely & the Centre for Pioneer Learning.

Free admission for advanced booking or £5 on the door.See attached poster

To book contact Nicky Redsell at admin@centreforpioneerlearning.org.uk

Download John Walker poster

 

An Evening with Mike Sares from Scum of the Earth Church, Denver

Mike will help us think about how the church connects with those in there early 20’s.

Tuesday 22nd May, 7.30pm at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.

Mike is pastor of Scum of the Earth church in Denver, Colorado.

http://www.scumoftheearth.net/SOTEC/Welcome.html

At a time when the church is struggling nationally to connect with people of this age, as part of a national tour, Mike will be talking about how he started Scum,a church wiss is full of people in their early 20's , many of whom have no or little church background. The church connects with the kind of young people many churches never see. He will be talking about  how the church connects and disciples young people and how young people are now leading this thriving church. Come and find out what you can learn for your own situation.

This event is jointly sponsored by the Diocese of Ely and the Centre for Pioneer Learning, Cambridge.

For more details contact Dave Male,dm432@cam.ac.uk

You don't need to book in advance. 

 

Diamond Jubilee New Testaments

ECGI ACNS and Witness 6.7 Newsletter

A message from Linda Jones, Evangelism and Church Growth Initiative Core Group Member, regading the groups trip to Kenya and a copy of the April 2012 Witness 6.7 Newsletter

Download ECGI ACNS

Download April 2012 newsletter

 

Listening to People who Reconnect with Church and Faith

A Message from Jim Currin:

This is a request to church leaders, asking for help with the above. 

The parable of the Prodigal Son / Loving Father is familiar to us and many people reconnect with church and faith after being disconnected for some reason. 

What are a) the trends church leaders observe and b) the stories people who reconnect share?

Here is a resource to help both groups of people pass on their experience. The information received will form a report available through Churches Together in England.

Could church leaders please consider their own experience and think of people in the congregation who have reconnected with a story to share? We would be pleased to hear both perspectives. 

Two surveys are online at: http://connect4life.org.uk/survey 

Please pass on to other church leaders who can assist with this survey.

Many thanks.

Getting DISCIPLESHIP into the Lifeblood: Developing Diocesan Strategies

Joanna Cox writes:

Discipleship is the calling of all Christians, so it is inevitably related to the work of many of those with specialist briefs in the church - including adult education, ministry, mission, youth work etc.    Many resources produced have been designed to encourage discipleship development amongst particular groups where each network has a concern.

Recently some dioceses have been working on ways to get discipleship more deeply into the whole lifeblood of a diocese.  A seminar will be held in London to enable exploration, discussion and sharing around possible approaches to this on Thursday 17th May - at Church House Westminster: 11.00 - 3.30.   Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost, but booking is essential.  

The topic will be introduced by dioceses that have already had experience of approaching this work in very different ways (Canterbury - with lessons learned from running a 'Year of Discipleship',  and Carlisle - where the Diocesan Vision and Strategy has been built around 'Growing Disciples'.  Both these dioceses have been working on this over a period of time, which enables useful reflection on what they have learned) . Other patterns that are being explored will also feature, and there will be opportunities to share and assess possibilities, plans, problems and questions.

If you  are interested in joining, contact Joanna Cox on mailto:joanna.cox@churchofengland.org .  I would also welcome questions or suggestions for experience (or plans) you think it would be useful to add to the discussion.  

 

LICC Imagine Church Workshop

LICC are running some Imagine Church workshops across the UK. These inspiring days offer practical help for church leaders and leadership teams who are determined to create whole-life disciplemaking churches.

Current venues are: Winchester, Coventry, London, Colwyn Bay, Lymington, Cardiff, Dawlish. . 

For more information:
http://www.licc.org.uk/imagine/resources/imagine-on-the-road/ 

Download Imagine workshops brochure final

LICC have also just produced a new suite of resources that support the Imagine work with churches:

LICC have long been known for their work advocating "whole-life discipleship".  They recently launched some new materials they have developed in the light for their experience working closely with a range of churches on their "Imagine" project - focussing not just on encouraging individual disciples but on the characteristics of a disciple-making church.   See http://www.licc.org.uk/imagine/resources/leading-a-wholelife-disciplemaking-church -

 Both the Grove Booklet and the book 'Imagine Church'  develop other work LICC has done by expanding on the framework of "six essential dynamics" involved in changing a church culture into one that enables discipleship empowerment.  Drawing the dynamics together encourages reflection - e.g. how much are we changing culture and how much just encouraging  "One Degree Shifts" if implementing just one idea from possibilities such as those suggested re 24/7 Discipleship : http://www.churchofengland.org/education/adult-education-lay-discipleship-and-shared-ministry/resources-for-growing-god's-people/247-discipleship.aspx . 

 

Diamond Jubilee Grace

The Diamond Jubilee Grace has been especially composed for the Big Jubilee Lunches that are part of the celebrations marking The Queen's Jubilee in June to be used in part or its entirety.   Hundreds of local churches, of all denominations, across the nation are getting involved in encouraging and helping local communities to celebrate together during the Diamond Jubilee weekend and will be able to bring this unique prayer, seen and approved by The Queen, quite literally to the table.

Grace for Diamond Jubilee Lunches

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord,

we give you thanks for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth;

for her steadfast faith and for her royal service to this nation

and all the peoples of the Commonwealth.

 

Bless the food before us and the people beside us;

may the sharing of this meal strengthen our communities,

and nurture the bonds between us of friendship, hope and trust.

 

 We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns as servant of all. 

Amen

 

Bible Society Conference- April 18th 2012

Paul – The Protagonist Prophet

A one day conference focusing on Paul’s letters

with Dr Paula Gooder, biblical scholar and author of Heaven: A RoughGuide, Searching for Meaning: An Introduction to Interpreting theNew Testament and LentWise: Spiritual Essentials for Real Life.

Wednesday 18 April 2012, 9.30-4.30

Reigate Baptist Church, Sycamore Walk, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7LR

For more information and to book: Download Paula Gooder RBC flyer

Big Jubilee Lunch Flyer

Please find attached a copy of the Big Jubilee Lunch flyer; this can be given to anybody who is keen to set up a Big Lunch!

Download Big Jubilee Lunch Flyer