Contents:

Together as one team

Our Warm Spaces: Local event

Something Different Something New

Coffee and Conversation online

Preaching and leading worship through the lens of conflict:  3 online workshops

Positive Working Together courses

Mental Health First Aid Training

Theology Book Club

Recharge

Other Learning and Development providers:

Reflect

Together as one team!

We are a dispersed team living across Cumbria, Liverpool, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester!  And we haven't all been together, in person, since before the pandemic.  So here is our updated photograph at our December team meeting and Christmas festivities.    

We see ourselves as part of your team too.  A service paid for by the whole Connexion we can partner with you in a variety of ways - more than training events to attend.  We provide support for circuits going through transitions and can facilitate reviews and vision days.  We can lead bespoke events providing we have the skill and capacity.  And where we don't, we can source or locate the skills elsewhere.  We are part of a wider Connexional team covering 10 Learning Network regions and through the opportunity provided by zoom and MCBX (formerly theology X) the whole Learning Network is offering their areas of skill and expertise for you to access.

So, with all the many things you have to consider, don't forget that we can be part of your team as you look forward into the new year.  We pray for God's Blessing on you and those you serve in 2023.

Alison Ball (Coordinator)

Offer a Warm Space this Winter: Local - a great success!

In October the NWMann Learning Network held three ‘’Offer a Warm Space this Winter: Local’ events, exploring the Warm Spaces Charter, saferguarding and funding. We had more than 75 people attending, and it was wonderful to see the generosity of Methodists across the region seeking to respond to the cost of living crisis. Participants commented that they found the sessions ‘useful’, ’interesting’, ‘helpful’ and ‘comprehensive’.

Further information about Warm Spaces here

Connexional funding is now available to support warm spaces but you must apply by 12^th January: Link

If you want to protest about the need for Warm Spaces, JPIT have provided some guidance here

Something Different, Something New...

The Contemporary Culture Learning and Reflection Group meets once a month to discuss and theologically reflect on a book which is also a film. Through this group attendees will explore the content through a Christian faith point of view. This event is open to all, but may be of particular interest to local preachers, worship leaders and small group leaders. Below is the date for the next session and the book/film to be discussed. Please click the link to book:

• The Color Purple | Saturday 21 January 2023

Coffee and Conversation:  Online with Kristie, 11.00-12.00 hrs

For all lay employees Friday 20^th Jan and Thursday 23^rd March

For those working in Admin/comms –  Tues 21^st Feb

Contact Kristie for the zoom link

Following a successful day for Local

Preachers and Worship Leaders about

preaching and leading worship through the

lens of conflict, we are offering the three

workshops online in the New Year.

Workshop One: The Conflict Puzzle

with Brec Seaton, Methodist Learning Network

Date: Wednesday 18th January 2023 7.30pm to 9pm

To book go to https://theconflictpuzzle.eventbrite.co.uk

Workshop Two: The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus turns the tables on Fight

or Flight being the only options to conflict

with Carolyn Merry, Director of Place for Hope.

Date: Monday 23rd January 2023 7.30pm to 9pm

To book go to https://TheSermonOnTheMount.eventbrite.co.uk

Workshop Three: Conflict and Worship - Thinking Biblically

with Sheryl Anderson, Chair of the Liverpool District and Jasmine

Devadason, Methodist Learning Network

Date: Thursday 26th January 2023 7.30pm to 9pm

To book go to https://ConflictAndWorship.eventbrite.co.uk

Further information from Jasmine

Positive Working Together courses:

Growing through Change and Conflict:  

This course offers support and training to Church Leaders, lay and ordained, as they recognise and respond to conflict. – online, 0930-1600 hrs, Thursday 19^th January 2023

Bullying and Harrassment: 

Understanding the dynamics of Bullying and Harassment and explore ways to respond – online, Wednesday and Thursday 8^th and 9^th February 2023, 09.30-13.00 hrs  

For all courses book here

For further information contact Brec

Mental Health First Aid Training

2 opportunities to train as a Mental Health First Aider with Brec Seaton and Revd Ruth Jeffires.

In person, 1 and 2 February 2023 at West End Methodist Church, Stoke-on-Trent

Booking information here

Online 28th Feb and 2nd, 7th and 9th Mach (all 4 dates)

Booking information here

Further information from Brec

The Atonement Debate:  Wednesday, 15th February & Wednesday, 19th April 2023 at 19.00-20.30 hrs

Our next Theology Book Club, facilitated by Simon Sutcliffe, will be exploring the book “The Atonement Debate” edited by Derek Tidball, David Hilborn & Justin Thacker.

The book is a published set of papers from a symposium held jointly by the Evangelical Alliance and the London School of Theology after Steve Chalke controversially denounced the idea that God was punishing Christ in our place on the cross. What does it mean to say that “Jesus saves us?” How does the cross save us from our sins? What does this mean for our faith? Come and join in the conversation.

Further information from Simon Sutcliffe

You can register for both dates here

Opportunities from Other Providers of Learning and Development

The Learning Network was always concieved to include more than the paid staff of the LN team.  Many others provide excellent opportunities for Learning and Development.  Here we will include some of those other opportunities.  Please note that there may be a charge and the responsibility for the quality of the event lies with the provider.

Reflect:  A Local Preacher's Retreat on Wells in the Wilderness with Barbara Easton, ex-VP of Conference

17-19th March at Whalley Abbey

The retreat will be in silence from Friday night to Sunday lunch time and will follow the familiar format of short inputs of approximately 20 minutes, each followed by ample time for private reflection, in the peaceful stillness of the presence of God.

For further information follow this link.

There is a charge for this event.

The contact details of the team can be found here on our Learning Network web page (you will need to scroll down to the bottom of the page!)