Making Sense of Scripture

A Course during Lent at St Wilfrid’s.

Lent is a good time to take up a new challenge; so here’s an invitation!

Reading the Bible is not always easy for us.  We need to remember that it’s made up of different types of literature.  Poetry is quite different to prose, and each needs to be read in different ways.  We might find that we can make some sense of the Gospels, yet we’re bewildered by Proverbs or the Prophets.

This course gives practical guidelines on how to read these different types of books which we find in the Bible.  The first hour of each session will involve teaching and discussion, led by Bill Goodman.  Then the second hour will be about putting it into practice, probably in pairs or in a group.  You could do this with other members of your Home Group, if you choose to come along together.  Each evening is self-contained, so missing one or two is not a problem. 

We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in Kibworth.  We’ll begin each evening at 7.30pm (7.15 if you’d like coffee), and finish at 9.30pm.  Here’s the plan:

March 16^th       Lost in Translations:             Which Bible Shall I Read?

    Caring Conversations:          How to Read the New Testament Letters

March 23^rd     Striking Stories:                     How to Read Biblical Narratives

March 30^th      Four Stories of One Story:    How to Read the Gospels

April 6^th          Praying Poetry:                     How to Read the Psalms (and Wisdom)

April 13^th           Proclaiming and Predicting:  How to Read the Prophets (and Law)

April 20^th        Revealing Mysteries:             How to Read the Apocalyptic Books

Whether you know the Bible well, or hardly at all, you should find something worthwhile here.  Do come along – all welcome!

Bill Goodman

Mission Partnership Candlemas Carols

A traditional Candlemas service will take place on Sunday 30th January 2011at St.Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth, 6.30pm. It will be a traditional sung service, with readings and carols, with a joint choir from different benefices within the Mission Partnership.

The Big Society in Action

Last night 100 key leaders from the nine mainstream denominations of the Christian Church in Leicester and Leicestershire gathered to discuss how they might work together over the next three years to most effectively continue to serve the communities of which they are part.

A recent survey concluded that Christians in the UK contribute seventy two million hours a year of voluntary time serving their local communities. Over the next four years groups of Christian churches in villages and market towns across Leicestershire, as well as in the city are partnering together to build on these 72m hour in a range of initiatives. These initiatives will focus on serving those in need both in practical ways and by sharing the message of life, hope and love found in Jesus Christ which lies at the heart of all they do.

Last night’s event, held at Leicester College, was addressed passionately by a range of speakers keen to build on the many positive things already going on. In closing the evening the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Tim Stevens said, “Tonight’s gathering has reminded us all of the urgent need for the churches to get active in serving our communities and especially the poor as we enter ‘the age of austerity’. It has offered us a vision of what the Big Society could be.”

Revd Dianne Tidball of the East Midlands Baptist Association, and chair of the Churches Together in Leicestershire group, commented, it was “great to be amongst so many people enthusiastic for the mission of God and inspiring to hear of so many initiatives to connect our communities with Christ’s love”

The aim of the evening was to provide a ‘missional menu’ of opportunities for churches working together to engage in mission over the coming four years. This vision casting included exploring the possibilities surrounding the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games through ‘More than Gold’, the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible through Biblefresh and keynote speaker Roy Crowne, Executive Director of Hope Together shared an inspiring vision of churches working together in word and deed evangelism.

For more information on any of these and how you church might be involved please contact Diocesan Mission Enabler, Revd Barry Hill, barry.hill@leccofe.org