Mission Network News

100 years of Father's Day, and the World Cup

Suzanne Gray writes from Church House Communications. Do please let her know what's happening where you are: Father's Day is on June 20 this year.

Dear all,

You may have seen Bishop John Inge's article in the Church Times last June about the importance of celebrating Fathers' Day in churches (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/fathersday/article.html - see his podcast there too). We’ve heard of some churches that are planning special services or events for Fathers' Day this year, and we're interested in finding any more that are either already planning something or are interested in doing so.

This year marks 100 years since Fathers' Day was first celebrated, and it also happens to fall in the World Cup. The Fathers' Day section on the Church of England website (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/fathersday/) contains suggested prayers and liturgy for use in Fathers' Day services. We will also be uploading suggestions from around the church as we receive them.

I'd be very grateful if you could ask the churches that you have contact with whether they are planning anything for Father's Day, and if so ask them to drop me a line on [email protected] or 020 7898 1465

Many thanks,

Suzanne.
Communications Officer (Projects), Archbishops’ Council

PS among many other Father's Day gifts those of you with fathers or children can buy organic socks for your Dad, or get your kids to shell out for a fairtrade wallet, here.

River in the City - Liverpool initiative

Karen writes with this news from Fresh Expressions press office. If this seems like a good idea worth advocating where you are, why not contact Keith, Phil Potter or Linda Jones in the Liverpool team?

 Keith Hitchman was licensed as a pioneer minister in the Diocese of Liverpool on 19^th April. He will focus on developing a new style of Christian community in the heart of the 42-acre Liverpool ONE shopping and leisure centre.

Keith, formerly of Holy Trinity and St Paul team ministry, Cheltenham, is to help establish River in the City, a fresh expression of church in Liverpool ONE - the largest city centre regeneration project in Europe. The 1.65million sq ft site includes 160 shops, more than 20 bars and restaurants, and a five acre park.

The Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Revd Richard Blackburn, will license Keith in the Tate Liverpool. He commented: "I am delighted to be licensing Keith to this exciting new role in Liverpool ONE. The fact the licensing is taking place in the Tate Liverpool is a fantastic example of how Keith will be working in this new type of church reaching out to the different networks in this city.”

The Diocese is looking at a model of church that doesn’t involve a large number of people coming together in one place but sees groups of people being established around a common interest – whatever that interest may be.

Keith says: “Liverpool ONE is an excellent example of a community that attracts a variety of people for a range of reasons. Some live here, many work here, even more visit for shopping and leisure. I want to relate to these natural networks and work to understand what people are looking for in their lives and how I can help them relate to God.

"In a world of choice and change, people form groups with others who share the same interests and views on life. It is through these groups that they discuss and ask the big questions and I want to help people do that.” One of his first tasks will involve building relationship with the existing churches and faith communities in the area. 

Sacre bleu! Preparation for the Missioners Conference

The excellent Dave Walker - http://www.cartoonchurch.com - produced this in the Church Times (thanks to Lou Henderson for the reference). Attendees at the next Missioners Conference in Merville will need to absorb the information and will be tested on the économie mixte by Bp Graham himself: 

 

 

Papal visit to the UK, Autumn 2010

This event is sure to generate lots of interest in all sorts of ways. Clare Ward at the RC Home Mission department has the relevant links and info here; please pray for her and the Roman Catholic community as they seek to make of this visit a moment for evangelisation.

Download Home Mission Briefing Easter 2010 final

Clare writes: Date for your diary: 19^th September 2010 is RC Home Mission Sunday. It will coincide with the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.  Over the coming months resources in support of the Papal Visit will be added to:

http://www.thepapalvisit.co.uk/2010-Visit/Prayer-and-Resources

and

http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/catholic_church/catholic_bishops_conference_of_england_and_wales/departments/evangelisation_and_catechesis/adult_formation_and_catechesis

Book review - "The Great Emergence"

Warm thanks to Liverpool's Linda Jones who draws our attention to Phyllis Tickle's book (see our "Worth Reading" sidebar on the right of this page for a link to the book's details). Her review is also available here as a Word document: Download The Great Emergence

The Great Emergence – Phyllis Tickle - Baker Books 2008

Phyllis Tickle was the Editor of the Religion Department for Publisher’s Weekly. This book with its scholarly accessible style is probably attributable to years of reading impenetrable text!

Her main premise is based on Bishop Dyer’s theory that every 500 years the Church has had a “giant rummage sale” from the Great Schism to the Great Reformation and now to the Great Emergence.    This usually has 3 results:

• New more vital forms of Christianity emerge
• New expressions of faith alongside a grand refurbishment of the older one
• The faith spreads dramatically.

These periods are also linked to socio-political upheaval and at each period the church is freed to develop and praxis, liturgy and theological richness.  However the issues of who is in control and where authority lies is always cause tension  as we look around us and ask where is it all going and what is the basis for social order now.

It is written from a North American viewpoint which gives a safe distance to reflect on what she is identifying as a rummage sale that began in the latter half of the 19^th Century. 

This book gives insights and language to what might be emerging for us in our generation as we in England determine what the impact for us is as we struggle to find language for something that is emerging; fresh expressions, pioneer ministry, lake and river –and I warmly commend it to anyone who wants to engage in the struggle of discerning what God might be doing in our generation …….. and in proclaiming the Gospel afresh.

Linda Jones.

Local church, local school

Margaret Withers continues to resource us with books and material on mission among and with children. A new website has been produced to complement her recent book "Local church, local school" (details of Margaret's book are in the "Worth Reading" sidebar, on the right of this page).

Sue Fulford writes: "Many churches and schools are exploring this area, and in fact many have seen the Barnabas book of the same name, so the website will provide an additional source of information and ideas about developing this example of community cohesion. With distinct entry points for schools and churches this site will help both groups to benefit from building relationships."

Here's the info. Download Local Church, Local School website

And the url: www.localchurchlocalschool.org.uk 

The flyer says:

A number of churches across the UK are asking questions about how to relate to local primary schools. The new Local Church, Local School website at www.localchurchlocalschool.org.uk is the result of collaboration by a number of organizations including BRF, The Stapleford Centre, The Girls' Brigade, Viz a Viz and Scripture Union, and aims to provide practical and varied suggestions on how churches can engage with primary schools. The site also provides information for schools so that they can understand how churches operate and the kind of contributions they can make. Do visit the website and pass the web address onto those in your church with an interest in children's and youth ministry, your church council or church leadership team.

The website looks at the area of common interest which schools and churches share. In a partnership between schools and churches, both have a lot to give and a lot to gain! Most importantly, when schools and churches work together, the pupils benefit. The website has distinct entry points for both churches and schools in recognition of what both can give, and receive from the other. Creating mutually beneficial relationships will also play a part in strengthening the cohesion of the local community.

Worship and Mission conference

Paul Howlett sends this news. If you're not a member of this Society but would like to go the details are here:

Society for Liturgical Study

CONFERENCE 2010: WORSHIP AND MISSION

Tuesday 24^th – Thursday 26^th August 2010

The Mirfield Liturgical Institute at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, UK

This year's conference has as its major theme 'Worship and Mission'.

The Conference provides an excellent opportunity to meet others working in the area of liturgical studies and to hear and discuss papers both from established scholars and those at an earlier stage of their liturgical research and teaching. It begins on the Tuesday afternoon (arrival and registration from 3.30pm, conference opens 4.15pm) and runs through to after lunch (1pm) on the Thursday. There will be a Conference Eucharist on the Wednesday. The General Meeting of the Society will also take place on the Wednesday and will be followed by the Conference Dinner.

Accommodation in the College is mainly ensuite, and in the Community of the Resurrection’s Retreat House there are recently refurbished shared facilities. Meals will be taken in the College Refectory. There is a licensed bar. The College is set in the attractive grounds of the Community’s House and Church. Further details including location can be found by visiting www.mirfield.org.uk

The fees for the Conference to include accommodation and all meals will be as follows: Single ensuite £140; single (shared facilities) £120; Double room (limited to a very few) £85 per person; non-residential attendance (to include all meals) £70.

A booking form accompanies this notice. Download Booking form 2010

It would be appreciated if members could give an early indication of their interest and likelihood of attending. Bookings should be sent to Dr Carol Wilkinson at the address on the booking form. Other enquiries about the conference should be sent to The Revd Dr Ben Gordon-Taylor at the College of the Resurrection, Stocks Bank Road, Mirfield, West Yorkshire WF14 0BW or emailed to him at [email protected].

Non-members who are interested in attending the Conference are also warmly encouraged to apply.

CALL FOR PAPERS

While papers associated with the theme of WORSHIP AND MISSION are particularly sought, proposals in other areas of current liturgical research are also very welcome.

Papers may be of 40 or 20 minutes in length. It is hoped that many of them will be published in Anaphora.

Proposals of 150-200 words giving a title and an outline content should be sent to Rev'd Dr John Lampard by email ([email protected]) before 1^st June 2010. The committee will review the proposals submitted and inform potential speakers by mid-June.

Christian night-life projects conference

Peter Crumpler, C of E Director of Communications, sends this news: please pass it on to people in any night-life ministry initiatives where you are. Steve Clifford is great value.

A message from the Christian Night-life Initiatives - ‘Community Transformation within the Night-Time Economy’ Conference - Wednesday 7th July 2010

In January, it was announced that Bedford would be hosting the second National Christian Nightlife Initiatives on Wednesday 7th July from 10.00am - 3.30pm at the Bedford Salvation Army, MK40 1QS.  

The conference will be exploring how Christian night-life projects can create create community transformation. Our morning keynote speaker will be Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. Steve Clifford worked as a teacher in the 1980s before taking up full-time church leadership in 1985. He has been long been involved in church planting, running leadership and discipleship teams, and enabling networks. He has served as Chair of many key evangelical initiatives, including Soul Survivor, Hope 08, Soul in the City, London and of March for Jesus International.

After lunch, we will be joined by Andy Turner, the Director of XChange from the Church Urban Fund. 

A full programme for the conference is available for download from the new CNI network - www.cninetwork.org.uk 

This promises to an exciting opportunity to hear some excellent speakers, network and creating new friendships. 

Please do pass news of this exciting conference around your colleagues and volunteers. I am more than happy to speak to anyone about the conference. 

With all good wishes and prayers,

Adam May
[email protected].uk (e)
www.bedfordstreetangels.org.uk (w)

Latest bulletin from Christian Research

Latest bulletin from Christian Research is rich as always: contact admin@christian-research.org.uk if you'd like to be on their mailing list.

Entries include these two:

Generations of charismatics/Pentecostals

 

Research conducted by the Barna Group explored the degree to which four different generations of American adults identified themselves as charismatic or Pentecostal believers. The research also examined generational gaps in terms of beliefs about the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and spiritual gifts.

 

Those who said they considered themselves to be Pentecostal/charismatic said they believe that they ‘have been filled with the Holy Spirit’, and that God has given them at least one of the charismatic gifts, such as tongues, prophecy or healing. Overall, that group represents 21% of all American adults and 25% of those who describe themselves as Christian.

 

Those aged 26 to 44 were the generation of self-identified Christians most likely to claim a charismatic or Pentecostal connection (29%), slightly higher than the 26% among the 18 to 25 age group and the 25% among the eldest of Americans (those 64 and older). Surprisingly, the generation that introduced America to ‘Jesus freaks’ and other marks of spiritual intensity – i.e. those now 45 to 63 – is the generation currently least likely to identify as charismatic or Pentecostal (20%).

 

In terms of beliefs and attitudes, there are marked differences between the generations. In general, the research shows that younger Christians are more open to charismatic gifts, but more sceptical about the nature of the Holy Spirit when compared to older Christians.

 

To find out more, use this link

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/360-how-different-generations-view-and-engage-with-charismatic-and-pentecostal-christianity

 

 

Discovering the reality of young Catholics

 

One of the key aims of Catholic Youth Ministry Federation is to develop and strengthen the direction for Catholic youth ministry in England and Wales. In order to set a strategic direction they felt the need to get their bearings and to map the terrain of the world our young people inhabit.

 

A recently published document, Mapping the terrain is a summary report of the key trends to emerge from a thorough research project conducted with a thousand young people. This will be followed by a comprehensive document – due for publication in autumn 2010 – which will unpack the statistics in more detail.

 

What became clear from both the qualitative and quantitative stages of this research is that young people (like many adults) have a shifting and multi-layered understanding of what it means to be Catholic. On the most basic level, it might have been expected that if a young person is Catholic, they would describe themselves as such. The large swathe of the survey respondents demonstrate otherwise:saying that you are Catholic is only considered an important part of being Catholic by less than half of the group (48%).

 

Of the 15 to 25 year olds who described themselves as Catholic, 54% said that it was important for a Catholic to go to Mass regularly. 37% of the same group said that they attended Mass or other religious service monthly or more regularly.

 

‘Believing in God’ was considered the most important aspect of being a Catholic by respondents, with around eight out of ten ranking this as ‘important’ or ‘very important’. But when asked about the nature of their belief in God, the results were much more diverse. Many young Catholics are seeking to discover exactly what ‘their God’ looks like, whilst others are investigating a range of answers from the typically orthodox at one end of the spectrum to denial of God’s existence at the other.

 

To find out more, use this link

http://www.cymfed.org/CYMFEDresearchMAPPINGTHETERRAIN.pdf

Missioners' Conference

Rachel writes:

ABSOLUTE final booking deadline for the Missioners Conference is the 16th April!!!!

Do come and join us:

We're back in Merville again from the 29th June to the 2nd July we meet at 13.00 at St Pancras and return by 12.33! 

The cost this year is £250.00. 

The speaker this year is Paul Weston, an expert on Leslie Newbigin and lecturer at Ridley Hall Cambridge. The worship is going to be led by Colin and Angela Brown from the Church Army who are pioneers in Cornwall amongst the artistic community. 

So Paul will challenge us to think hard and ask us lots of questions and Colin and Angela will challenge us to express ourselves creatively in worship as a response to what we have heard and discussed.

On top of that Merville provides a great space to be still or walk around the beautiful grounds, talk over meals with lots of French wine and cheese and get to know one another better in the bar.

We would be thrilled to welcome you and do hope you will be able to make it. The conference is for diocesan missioners, associate missioners and others working in the mission-enabling field.

Please follow the link below to find out more of the practical details. 

http://www.nicolajamescommunications.com/booking/missionersconference2010/

Do come if you can 

Rachel and the Planning Team!

STW makeover

Here's a new-look Start The Week for the resurrection season. We've added a search feature on the right here, and also re-introduced the "worth reading" booklist, further down the sidebar on the right. Check the books out by clicking on the pics and you'll be taken to the relevant Amazon page. And if you want to recommend a book to mission enablers, let us have the details and we'll do what we can.

Happy Eastertide!

Paul, Rachel, Laura

Biblefresh update: new choral piece

The Biblefresh initiative is gathering pace; here's news of a choral piece which traditionally-musical churches in your area might use to refresh their sense of scripture in today's culture:

More here: Download Rel Press Press RELEASE. And an ad here: Download A1 Board

They say:

As part of the 2011 national celebrations for the 400^th Anniversary of the King James Bible, a new oratorio for soloists, choir and orchestra is being promoted by the Bible Society.

Re:Creation  tells the biblical story using modern English text set to a musical score written by the Surrey composer, David Perkins. Part of the BIBLEFRESH initiative, supported by nearly 100 organisations to show how the Bible is being re-presented in various modern arts and cultural forms, Re:Creation  captures the grandeur of the oratorio format.

Following Re:Creation’s London premiere at St John’s Smith Square in April 2009, Luke Walton, Bible Society’s Arts Development Officer, approached United Reformed Church minister Derek Wensley, who compiled the libretto, to make the work available to choral groups wanting to mark the 400^th anniversary event with a 21^st century Biblical piece.

“The Bible has always inspired great artistic expression,” said Mr. Walton, “but Re:Creation’s  fresh, contemporary libretto and score carry that inspiration to a new generation”

Discussions are underway for presentations throughout 2011 at various venues including Bristol and Guildford Cathedrals, also inclusion in the London Pentecost Festival and Kingston on Thames Festival of the Voice.

Re:Creation  is written in five movements, using only Biblical text, a flexible numbers of singers and a moderately sized orchestra. Its composition is not over sophisticated, but in places quite demanding yet it is well within the capabilities of professional musicians as well as good, experienced amateur choirs, soloists and orchestras. In either its 60 minute (abridged) or the 100 minute versions, Re:Creation  requires a mixed choir (SATB), a minimum orchestra of 12 players and 5 Soloists.

With the added impetus of support from local churches across the country and a national publicity programme, Re:Creation  provides  choirs with a challenging and inspirational new resource for their next year’s major choral event.

Extracts and the libretto can be downloaded from the website:

www.recreationtheoratorio.com 

Courses in Consultancy for Mission and Ministry: York

Why not check this out if you're looking for an in-service training opportunity. Or pass the word to colleagues where you are:

 Download New leaflet here.

Managing change is high on the agenda of many denominations as they face a challenging future, and those in key roles wrestle with complex issues and the support of the ministry of individuals.

 

This two-year course offers training in consultancy skills for those responsible for mission strategy and helping others with their work and ministry including:

•             Senior church leaders and regional ministerial roles
•             Mission and evangelism enablers and consultants
•             Training and development officers
•             Fresh Expressions and Pioneer ministries

The course is based on a distance learning format with workbooks covering the main strands of Organisational Studies, Mission Theology and Practice, and Consultancy Praxis. Students are supported by an ecumenical tutor team and six short residentials over the two years.

 

For further information, including a course handbook contact Siân Henderson at [email protected]  Tel 01904 876430 / 07809 431871

For a conversation with a tutor contact Dr Helen Cameron Tel 01865 877420  or Revd Ian D.  Johnson 01609 770853

 

 

Siân Henderson  Administrator, York Institute for Community Theology

Cell UK conference: Exeter

For those of you in the West Country here's news from Laurence Singlehurst and the Cell UK team:

Do the small groups in your church need more inspiration, training and support? If so, then we’d love to see you and your team get re-enthused and refreshed by joining us.

                                                                      

Laurence and Trevor are really pleased to have the opportunity to bring Cell UK’s popular training day, which is being hosted by Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District, to The Mint Methodist Church, Exeter EX4 3AT, on Saturday, 5^th June 10am – 4pm.

 

The conference will include three streams, which are outlined here:

• Introduction to Cell ideal for those looking at Cell for the first time or in a Cell church and not yet part of a group.

• Cell Leaders practical training for those currently running groups or potential Cell Leaders.

• Those coaching/supervising groups understanding and implementing this vital role.

A large selection of resources and materials will be available for purchase.

 

 Laurence Singlehurst and Trevor Withers will be speaking on the day along with local practitioners.

 

There are three easy ways that you can book to be part of this exciting day:

 phone our office to reserve your place 01582 463232,

• book online or print off the attached booking form and post to us at Cell UK or

•  Click Here for booking form.