Sunday, 19 December 2010
This blog...
Whilst I shall be moving into new work responsibilities at the end of January 2011, it is my hope that this blog will continue to serve as a repository for ideas and resources relating to community outreach and campaigning in our churches of south Essex. I may write to it occasionally; equally, it may be possible to pass it along to other bloggers to continue, in a similar vein...any takers out there?!?...
the journey home: Ceasing blogging...
the journey home: Ceasing blogging...: "I have always been a very occasional - and rather amateurish - blogger. So what follows is not of any earth-shattering consequence, but w..."
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
eco-discipleship & spirituality weekend - a few places still left - HURRY!
DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD
‘LET US BE HUMAN’
eco-discipleship & spirituality weekend
FRIDAY 24 – SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2010
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A SPIRIT-PROVOKING WEEKEND AT THE WONDERFUL RINGSFIELD HALL RE-CONNECTING OUR LIVES WITHIN GOD’S GOOD CREATION.
THE WEEKEND WILL FEATURE:.
SEMINARS AND TALKS;
GAMES AND ROLEPLAYS;
PRAYER AND SINGING;
BEAUTIFUL WALKS;
CRAFT & CHILLOUT SPACE;
ANIMALS;
LABYRINTHS;
AN EVENING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE!;
AND PLENTY MORE!...
ALL ALONGSIDE GOOD FOOD AND EXCELLENT COMPANY IN A FABULOUS COUNTRY HOUSE ON THE SUFFOLK/NORFOLK BORDERS.
WILL IT FEATURE YOU?
YOU ARE INVITED TO GROW AS A CHRISTIAN, CALLED TO BE GOOD NEWS IN YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT!
*PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TRANSPORT, FOOD AND OTHER COSTS WILL BE MET. YOU ARE REQUESTED, HOWEVER, TO BRING WITH YOU YOUR OWN BEDDING (IE. QUILT COVER, BOTTOM SHEET, PILLOWCASE) AND TOWELS.
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND
FRIDAY
Late afternoon Depart home – details below†
9.00pm (approx.) Arrival – tea/coffee, introductions, prayers, chill† & bed
SATURDAY
8.00am Breakfast
9.00am ‘Crisis? What crisis?’ – starting to explore…
11.00am Coffee break
11.30am ‘Being in a disciple in God’s whole world’ – going deeper…
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Prayer walk, labyrinth, meeting the animals, ‘magic spots’
3.30pm Tea break
4.00pm ‘Living it out at Ringsfield Hall’
6.00pm Supper
7.00pm Free time†, including time around the camp fire!
SUNDAY
8.00am Breakfast
9.00am ‘Practicing the Communion of all Creation’ – how shall we live?...
11.00am Coffee break
11.30am Holy Communion, with craft and contributions…
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Depart for home
† Chill/Free time – there is plenty to absorb you at Ringsfield Hall – games room, 14 acres of grounds, reading rooms, strawbale house, craft barn, chill-out loft…and plenty more!
† Transport will be via minibus or car. Details of pick-up points will be sent to you.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Eco-Spirituality and Discipleship Weekend
Eco-Spirituality and Discipleship Weekend
25/26 September 2010
Ringsfield Hall, Norfolk
As part of a series of environment-focussed projects in the Diocese of Chelmsford, we are looking to recruit THIRTY young adults and teenagers to come and learn more about what our Christian faith has to say about God's good creation and how to live what we believe about His love for the whole world.
Those who will grow into adulthood in this generation are facing the prospect of a natural environment reeling from shocks and devastation which have been visited on it by the last couple of generations. How can we learn to draw on our faith to live more wisely and lovingly and to see God's redeeming work extending even to the ends of the earth?
This weekend will feature seminars and talks, games and roleplays, prayer and singing; it will feature the beauty of walks in the countryside around Ringsfield Hall, good food and excellent company. Will it feature YOU? You are invited to grow as a Christian, called to be good news in your own environment!
All costs for this experience will be covered, so it is entirely FREE from your perspective. This is to include:
• coach travel to and from Ringsfield Hall from a number of pick-up points in east London and Essex;
• accommodation in comfy, shared rooms;
• full board, beautiful food for all our time away;
• ...and some other goodies!
Ages 13 - 25.
If you are interested in going - or even in just finding out more, at this stage - please contact Paul Trathen, Bishop Laurie's Advisor for Faith in Action, who is coordinating and helping to lead this weekend event. You can reach him on 01268 766766 or paul.trathen@btopenworld.com
What are you waiting for?!?! Sign up before all the places are gone!!!
Fr Paul Trathen
Faith in Action Adviser
Bradwell Area Team
25/26 September 2010
Ringsfield Hall, Norfolk
As part of a series of environment-focussed projects in the Diocese of Chelmsford, we are looking to recruit THIRTY young adults and teenagers to come and learn more about what our Christian faith has to say about God's good creation and how to live what we believe about His love for the whole world.
Those who will grow into adulthood in this generation are facing the prospect of a natural environment reeling from shocks and devastation which have been visited on it by the last couple of generations. How can we learn to draw on our faith to live more wisely and lovingly and to see God's redeeming work extending even to the ends of the earth?
This weekend will feature seminars and talks, games and roleplays, prayer and singing; it will feature the beauty of walks in the countryside around Ringsfield Hall, good food and excellent company. Will it feature YOU? You are invited to grow as a Christian, called to be good news in your own environment!
All costs for this experience will be covered, so it is entirely FREE from your perspective. This is to include:
• coach travel to and from Ringsfield Hall from a number of pick-up points in east London and Essex;
• accommodation in comfy, shared rooms;
• full board, beautiful food for all our time away;
• ...and some other goodies!
Ages 13 - 25.
If you are interested in going - or even in just finding out more, at this stage - please contact Paul Trathen, Bishop Laurie's Advisor for Faith in Action, who is coordinating and helping to lead this weekend event. You can reach him on 01268 766766 or paul.trathen@btopenworld.com
What are you waiting for?!?! Sign up before all the places are gone!!!
Fr Paul Trathen
Faith in Action Adviser
Bradwell Area Team
Friday, 30 April 2010
GENERAL ELECTION RESOURCES LINKS REFLECT, PRAY, ACT, VOTE
The General Election takes place on May 6th.
Many church and other faith-based organisations have produced useful, challenging and informative General Election focussed web-based liturgical and campaigning resources. These include:
Church of England resources, briefing and prayers: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/generalelection
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland GE policy guides and details of hustings meetings: http://www.ctbi.org.uk/427
The Christian Institute have produced an Election Briefing Paper giving information about the policies of the political parties and key background information on legislation and public policy: http://www.christian.org.uk
The free churches have produced a comprehensive guide to the key issues facing voters from a faith perspective and further advice regarding hustings meetings. Read it at: www.churcheselection.org.uk
Christians in Politics: http://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk
Ekklesia produce daily briefings at: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk
Theos discuss faith and politics at: www.theosthinktank.co.uk
The Jubilee Centre in Cambridge have produced Votewise 2010- a guide to the election and detailed small group materials: http://www.jubilee-centre.org
CARE produce news based briefings at: www.care.org.uk
The Roman Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have published “Choosing the Common Good” which can be accessed via: http://www.rcdow.org.uk
Read the Westminster “declaration of Christian conscience” at: http://www.westminster2010.org.uk
Faithworks have interviewed party leaders and promote their declaration supporting the role of faith communities in welfare and wider public service provision at: http://www.faithworks.info
Several Christian organisations are calling on voters and candidates to support the people fleeing persecution and oppression by promoting the Sanctuary Pledge: http://sanctuarypledge.org.uk
Church Action on Poverty are promoting an accountability pledge for candidates: www.church-poverty.org.uk/2010election
Housing Justice briefings can be accessed at: http://www.housingjustice.org.uk
The Criminal Justice Alliance has produced a briefing comparing party policies on criminal justice issues: http://www.criminaljusticealliance.org/electionmanifestosbriefing.pdf
The Churches Criminal Justice Forum have produced a range of election briefings which can be found at: www.ccjf.org.uk
Many organisations are calling for a “Robin Hood tax” on banks to pay for welfare services. More information at: http://robinhoodtax.org.uk
The Churches Criminal Justice Forum have produced a range of election briefings which can be found at: www.ccjf.org.uk
CORD asks us to “vote global”: http://www.cord.org.uk/the-latest/latest-news/cord-latest/16-in-general-news/343-vote-global-in-the-uk-general-election.html
The Salvation Army has produced its own manifesto which can be found at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk
Church House Bookshop has a selection of political and election reading for sale at: www.chbookshop.co.uk
For those concerned about extremist politics, resources can be found at: http://www.hopenothate.org.uk
Further local news and information can be found at: http://www.networknorwich.co.uk
We will continue to publish information including details of Church hosted hustings event in Norfolk at www.norwich.anglican.org
Please note that there is of course no obvious “Christian way to vote” and people of religious faith are actively involved in all parties. Each has a Christian group or forum which can be contacted via official party websites
This list is by no means exhaustive. For further information or recommendations on other useful resources, please contact Rev Simon Wilson, Diocese of Norwich Social and Community Concerns Co-ordinator via: simon.wilson@norwich.anglican.org
Many church and other faith-based organisations have produced useful, challenging and informative General Election focussed web-based liturgical and campaigning resources. These include:
Church of England resources, briefing and prayers: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/generalelection
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland GE policy guides and details of hustings meetings: http://www.ctbi.org.uk/427
The Christian Institute have produced an Election Briefing Paper giving information about the policies of the political parties and key background information on legislation and public policy: http://www.christian.org.uk
The free churches have produced a comprehensive guide to the key issues facing voters from a faith perspective and further advice regarding hustings meetings. Read it at: www.churcheselection.org.uk
Christians in Politics: http://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk
Ekklesia produce daily briefings at: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk
Theos discuss faith and politics at: www.theosthinktank.co.uk
The Jubilee Centre in Cambridge have produced Votewise 2010- a guide to the election and detailed small group materials: http://www.jubilee-centre.org
CARE produce news based briefings at: www.care.org.uk
The Roman Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have published “Choosing the Common Good” which can be accessed via: http://www.rcdow.org.uk
Read the Westminster “declaration of Christian conscience” at: http://www.westminster2010.org.uk
Faithworks have interviewed party leaders and promote their declaration supporting the role of faith communities in welfare and wider public service provision at: http://www.faithworks.info
Several Christian organisations are calling on voters and candidates to support the people fleeing persecution and oppression by promoting the Sanctuary Pledge: http://sanctuarypledge.org.uk
Church Action on Poverty are promoting an accountability pledge for candidates: www.church-poverty.org.uk/2010election
Housing Justice briefings can be accessed at: http://www.housingjustice.org.uk
The Criminal Justice Alliance has produced a briefing comparing party policies on criminal justice issues: http://www.criminaljusticealliance.org/electionmanifestosbriefing.pdf
The Churches Criminal Justice Forum have produced a range of election briefings which can be found at: www.ccjf.org.uk
Many organisations are calling for a “Robin Hood tax” on banks to pay for welfare services. More information at: http://robinhoodtax.org.uk
The Churches Criminal Justice Forum have produced a range of election briefings which can be found at: www.ccjf.org.uk
CORD asks us to “vote global”: http://www.cord.org.uk/the-latest/latest-news/cord-latest/16-in-general-news/343-vote-global-in-the-uk-general-election.html
The Salvation Army has produced its own manifesto which can be found at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk
Church House Bookshop has a selection of political and election reading for sale at: www.chbookshop.co.uk
For those concerned about extremist politics, resources can be found at: http://www.hopenothate.org.uk
Further local news and information can be found at: http://www.networknorwich.co.uk
We will continue to publish information including details of Church hosted hustings event in Norfolk at www.norwich.anglican.org
Please note that there is of course no obvious “Christian way to vote” and people of religious faith are actively involved in all parties. Each has a Christian group or forum which can be contacted via official party websites
This list is by no means exhaustive. For further information or recommendations on other useful resources, please contact Rev Simon Wilson, Diocese of Norwich Social and Community Concerns Co-ordinator via: simon.wilson@norwich.anglican.org
Monday, 14 December 2009
the journey home: Back from Copenhagen...
the journey home: Back from Copenhagen...
The first of a number of posts about this past weekend in Copenhagen, where young people from the Diocese of Chelmsford witnessed to this historic moment and their faith...
The first of a number of posts about this past weekend in Copenhagen, where young people from the Diocese of Chelmsford witnessed to this historic moment and their faith...
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Thoughts on the shape of mission, ministry and the church's deployment of resource in the years to come...
The Bradwell Area Team - a group of resource/sector workers serving the churches of south and east Essex - sat down last week and had a wide-ranging discussion arising from the questions which emerge in consideration of the document currently being consulted upon in our Diocese of Chelmsford, Principles for the Deployment of Ministry 2009 – 2016. We wanted to think out loud about our theology of mission and ministry...
We began with various understanding of the role of the priest
• Does s/he need to be the church leader or the chair of the leadership team?
• Maybe a better model would be that of Barnabas in Acts; drawing all ministries together in harmony and making one Body; using his/her God-given tools the sacraments
• Priesthood derives its importance from the centrality of the Eucharist which shares the Body of Christ
• The priest does not define what is meant by Church, but derives from it
• Whether a priest is to be locally deployed or deployable will not define the level of training and formation s/he needs. All will need the same
• The nature of the priest in the Early Church was not a jack of all trades
We then looked at the Eucharist
• The sacraments are a first order issue; whereas the nature of priesthood (sacerdotal) is a second order issue
• The Eucharist is central to the worshipping community; but this can be worked out in two ways: either it should be celebrated as often as possible and at least on every Sunday; or it should be celebrated infrequently as an important part of the life of the Church with everyone giving it priority and preparing themselves appropriately.
We sought to understand the nature of mission, ministry and growth:
• A positive definition of mission could be “Seeing where God is and joining in”, its corollary being “being there to maintain a presence”
• Caution is needed with language about growth. It can tempt us to deploy resources where things are going on and to abandon places where nothing is happening to their fate. However, the language of growth is worldly and consumerist, and we are called to be counter-cultural
• Is our vision of Church that of a ministering community or that of a community gathered round a minister?
• We need to distinguish between ministry (a task life-long or time-limited to which God has called an individual) and discipleship (the life-style and values to which all baptised Christians are called with consequent actions)
How do we get from where we are to where we want to go?
• How much does our carnal baggage get in the way of hearing where God is leading us?
• We need to frame what we do in our current context and not seek to reclaim some “golden age”
• We need to discover the essential spirituality of our age through critical (but never judgemental) reading of the Bible and Church history
• Do we trust small, struggling groups of Christians to do their theology and discover their spirituality? Or are we still wedded to the 19th century idea that they need external programming by an expert (a theologian) in their midst? Do we trust small communities if they do not have an expert?
• Small communities do not thrive on external programming
• We need areas with communities of different sizes making the minster model a first preference rather than a second best
In the light of our discussion, we then looked at the vision document we drew up at Aylesford Priory in July 2007
• Our role is to take a strategic overview, free of local distraction but leading to effective resourcing of local communities
• Under the 19th century model of a priest (an expert, theologically trained) in each parish, Episcopal oversight was only needed if things went wrong
• However, the model towards which we are travelling of ministry teams without an expert necessarily in their midst, more oversight will be needed
• The team will need to help people see the wider picture
• It is part of our vision and history that we affirm the local. A local Christian presence is not disempowered if it lacks an expert
• The Deployment document is not an exercise in down-sizing but an opportunity to rethink the need of a paid expert
• Local congregations can be set free from the expert; leaving the experts free to perform a wider brief. E.g. currently, in multi-church benefices, the pattern of worship is determined around whether the priest or reader can be present; it would be preferable for each church to have some form of worship every Sunday whether or not a priest or reader is available
We began with various understanding of the role of the priest
• Does s/he need to be the church leader or the chair of the leadership team?
• Maybe a better model would be that of Barnabas in Acts; drawing all ministries together in harmony and making one Body; using his/her God-given tools the sacraments
• Priesthood derives its importance from the centrality of the Eucharist which shares the Body of Christ
• The priest does not define what is meant by Church, but derives from it
• Whether a priest is to be locally deployed or deployable will not define the level of training and formation s/he needs. All will need the same
• The nature of the priest in the Early Church was not a jack of all trades
We then looked at the Eucharist
• The sacraments are a first order issue; whereas the nature of priesthood (sacerdotal) is a second order issue
• The Eucharist is central to the worshipping community; but this can be worked out in two ways: either it should be celebrated as often as possible and at least on every Sunday; or it should be celebrated infrequently as an important part of the life of the Church with everyone giving it priority and preparing themselves appropriately.
We sought to understand the nature of mission, ministry and growth:
• A positive definition of mission could be “Seeing where God is and joining in”, its corollary being “being there to maintain a presence”
• Caution is needed with language about growth. It can tempt us to deploy resources where things are going on and to abandon places where nothing is happening to their fate. However, the language of growth is worldly and consumerist, and we are called to be counter-cultural
• Is our vision of Church that of a ministering community or that of a community gathered round a minister?
• We need to distinguish between ministry (a task life-long or time-limited to which God has called an individual) and discipleship (the life-style and values to which all baptised Christians are called with consequent actions)
How do we get from where we are to where we want to go?
• How much does our carnal baggage get in the way of hearing where God is leading us?
• We need to frame what we do in our current context and not seek to reclaim some “golden age”
• We need to discover the essential spirituality of our age through critical (but never judgemental) reading of the Bible and Church history
• Do we trust small, struggling groups of Christians to do their theology and discover their spirituality? Or are we still wedded to the 19th century idea that they need external programming by an expert (a theologian) in their midst? Do we trust small communities if they do not have an expert?
• Small communities do not thrive on external programming
• We need areas with communities of different sizes making the minster model a first preference rather than a second best
In the light of our discussion, we then looked at the vision document we drew up at Aylesford Priory in July 2007
• Our role is to take a strategic overview, free of local distraction but leading to effective resourcing of local communities
• Under the 19th century model of a priest (an expert, theologically trained) in each parish, Episcopal oversight was only needed if things went wrong
• However, the model towards which we are travelling of ministry teams without an expert necessarily in their midst, more oversight will be needed
• The team will need to help people see the wider picture
• It is part of our vision and history that we affirm the local. A local Christian presence is not disempowered if it lacks an expert
• The Deployment document is not an exercise in down-sizing but an opportunity to rethink the need of a paid expert
• Local congregations can be set free from the expert; leaving the experts free to perform a wider brief. E.g. currently, in multi-church benefices, the pattern of worship is determined around whether the priest or reader can be present; it would be preferable for each church to have some form of worship every Sunday whether or not a priest or reader is available
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)