Contents of the February newsletter |
Contents: Click to go straight there (see colour coding at the bottom of the box!)God in the World The Gathering COP The Conflict Puzzle resource February Events: Coffee and Conversation online Bullying and Harassment Mental Health First Aid Training Theology Book Club March Events: Lay leaders Community of Practice Bible Month Training Day Campfire Explore: Festivals and Events Thriving Families April and beyond.... Recharge Rural Ministry Course Everyone an Evangelist Contact details for the team CYF Faith Development Lay workers Wellbeing Pioneering/Faith sharing Contextual Ministry |
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God in the worldI was at a meeting on the last day of January with people from Liverpool and the excitement around hosting Eurovision, beginning that day, was infectious. There seems to be a great excitement this year about opportunities for gathering together both in the church and in the communities we serve. I was trying unsuccessfully to locate the quote 'church grows where life is', which I love. I think it is Alan Hirsch. Relocating ourselves out of our safety zones into places of life is an essential step in mission. It is our privilege to be involved in God's mission of love to the world.
'It is not so much that the church has a mission, its that the mission of God has a church.'
That is Alan Hirsch and something I invite you to ponder.
It is great to be able to highlight our pioneer event, Campfire Express to provide a space for those imagining different ways of being church and want to explore engaging through festivals and events.
We introduce the Connexional course starting in May 'Everyone to be an Evangelist' and places for faith development (bible month and theology book club with the topic of atonement starting 15th Feb) as well as contextual ministry development, be it with Children, youth and families or rural communities.
Our schedule is busy. I encourage you to consider one thing to build skills and confidence in this ongoing season of fatigue.
Alison Ball (Coordinator of the North West and Mann Learning Network) |
 The Gathering CoP is a learning community made up of children's, youth and family workers across the North West & Mann region. We meet together over Zoom (and a bonus in-person summer meeting) around 4 times a year for encouragement, inspiration, sharing, support and training. If you'd like to know more about joining this community please email Mel or Alison (hulsea@methodistchurch.org.uk)
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What were you arguing about along the
way? is a resource and book from the writers of Spirituality of Conflict was recommended in the workshop called The Conflict Puzzle with Brec Seaton, that took place on 18th January 2023. Here is the response of one of the attendees: 'Thank you for the workshop this evening, time well spent! I have just ordered a copy of the book. This has given me a whole new way of looking at a bible passage that contains conflict. Thank you. God bless you, and all who work in the area of conflict.'
Brought together by Pádraig Ó Tuama, the website is dedicated to reading the gospel texts through the lens of conflict and reading conflict through the lens of the gospel texts. Reflections have been published for the last three lectionary cycles on the gospel reading for every Sunday.
The book ‘What were they arguing about along the way’ is a selection of these reflections in print – you can access them for free on the website or purchase the book.
It is a fantastic resource for Local Preachers and Worship Leaders. For more information contact Brec. |
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Understanding the dynamics of Bullying and Harassment and explore ways to respond – online, Wednesday and Thursday 8th and 9th February 2023, 09.30-13.00 hrs For all courses book here For further information contact Brec
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 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 |
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Coffee and Conversation: Online with Kristie, 11.00-12.00 hrs
For those working in Admin/comms – Tues 21st Feb For all lay employees Thursday 23rd March
Contact Kristie for the zoom link |
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Train as a Mental Health First Aider The training is delivered over 4 sessions each 9-1pm. Participants need to attend all 4 session and they take place on 28th Feb, 2nd, 7th, 9th March online with Brec Seaton and Revd Ruth Jeffries. Bookings close 14th February. Follow this link to the eventbrite page.
Mental Health England normally charge £300 for this training course. For Methodists it is heavily subsidised and available for £50. If cost is an issue please contact Brec using the link below. For further information contact Brec. |
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Lay Leaders Community of Practice |
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 Community of practice for Local Lay-Pastors/lay leaders in the region. Thursday, March 9th, 1300-1530hrs online. Co-led by Charlotte Rumble of the West Pennine Moors circuit. Booking link Further information from Kristie |
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Bible Month - RevelationThe training day is on its way! |
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Festivals and events give us a great opportunity to engage missionally. That might be Eurovision in Liverpool, Lytham Festival, Parklife in Manchester, agricultural shows, local village fairs, sporting events and carnivals. Have you ever wondered if there is a way to creatively engage with these events? It might simply be being a blessing, listening to people’s stories, practically meeting people’s needs and witnessing to your faith. Or it might be something completely different! Join us online on Wednesday, 15th March 7-9pm to hear stories from those who have engaged in simple yet effective ways and to discover how you could respond to events near you. Sign up through Eventbrite. Further information from Mel or Alison H |
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 Thriving Families is an opportunity to find out more about how you can get ministry with families and households up and running. There also be a chance to learn about ways to support family wellbeing as well as sharing and discovering new resources. There'll be plenty of time to chat to others too!
This event takes place online on Thursday 23 March from 11am to 2pm Thriving Families is a joint event with the Children, Youth and Family team, Learning Network North West and BRF - the Bible Reading Fellowship. We hope you can join us! Here is the booking link. Further information from Alison Hulse |
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Rural Ministry Course
“Really helpful – practical, inspiring & encouraging!”- Oct 22 RMC participant.
25-26th April or 17-18th Oct at King’s Park, Northampton.
For lay & ordained leaders new to a rural context, entering a rural appointment for the first time, or in need of a ‘rural refresher’. Come and explore mission, evangelism & leadership with a rural lens. We’re currently offering a 50% bursary for lay or ordained Methodist participants, whilst funds last. Book here If further information would be useful, please contact Sarah
Hulme, rural mission & ministry officer |
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 Everyone an Evangelist |
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 Evangelism so frequently appears on church and circuit mission plans, but often people aren’t sure where to start or how to get going. Here’s how we hope we can help: ‘Everyone an Evangelist’ is a course to encourage us as individuals and churches in authentic, confident faith sharing. It involves three Gathering sessions over Zoom and a chance to put learning into action. Join us on this adventure, and step boldly into what it means to be a faith-sharer.
Simon and Mel are offering this course for up to 5 CLTs or local churches (approx. 4-5 people) from across the Region. For more details, or to have an initial conversation to see if this would be a good course for your church or circuit, please contact Simon or Mel
Dates:
Gathering 1: Thursday 4th May
Gathering 2: Thursday 18th May
Practical evangelism project over 6 weeks in CLT/local church groups. Gathering 3: Thursday 6th July |
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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!) |
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