From attending to Belonging to Contributing: as simple as ABC?

Over the past year over 1,300 people, who weren’t previously members of any church, joined the worshipping communities that make up the Church of England in Leicester and Leicestershire. This is great news, but it also presents a challenge.

Many of those that are new haven’t grown up with the Christian story, language, symbols or being part of any church, in any way. Added to which the experience of many is that often church communities, with their strong sense of fellowship, can be difficult places to join in their own right. How then might we help those who are new to church to become fully a part of our worshipping communities, able to contribute their gifts and grow deeper as disciples of Jesus?

We are delighted to welcome Bob Jackson to help us think further about this. Bob is the best selling author of Hope for the Church and The Road to Growth, co-author of major new welcome course, Everybody Welcome, experienced parish priest, and former Archdeacon of Walsall & Growth Officer for the Diocese of Lichfield. Whether you are a church leader, member of a church council, Churchwarden, Sidesperson, part of a welcome team, Mission Partnership Convenor, Mission Action Group member, Area Dean, archdeacon mission committee member or just interested in the topic, you are most welcome to join Bob for this special one-off gathering organised under the banner of Shaped by God: the diocesan vision for mission.

As the topic is so important, the session will run twice. Once in a slightly extended format in the morning and once in the evening on the same day:
Wednesday 13th October 2010

Extended morning session
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm (with coffee and pastries from 9:15am)
Location: St Paul’s Church, Hamble Road, Oadby, Leicester
Free parking in St. Paul’s car park

Repeated evening session
Time: 7:30-9:30pm (with coffee and pastries from 7:15pm)
Location: Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough
Free parking in Emmanuel’s two car parks

Both sessions are free to attend, but, with demand expected to be high and limited places, book soon to avoid disappointment!).
Bookings to Carol (carol.gibbons@leccofe.org or 0116 248 7411).
For more information contact Mission Enabler, Barry Hill, barry.hill@leccofe.org or 0116 248 7435.

£180,000 programme to strengthen rural churches

Mapping the existing provision of training for mission and ministry across England

"The Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) is to launch a £180,000 training project to strengthen churches in the countryside. ‘Rural Life and Faith’ could benefit 13,000 rural churches of all denominations, and will equip them for a modern role in villages and the countryside. ARC will spend £180,000 over 3 years to fill those major gaps in training provision which threaten the life and work of the rural church.

Four grant making trusts - Allchurches Trust; the Maurice and Hilda Laing Charitable Trust; the Henry Smith Charity and St Peters Saltley Trust are providing £180,000 of funding for the project. Research to map the existing provision of training for mission and ministry across England will begin immediately, and the first training modules will become available to churches in 2010.

http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/
rurallifeandfaithlaunch_280409.pdf

Rural Ministry Courses

The next Rural Ministry Course run by the Arthur Rank Centre is 3 - 5 November 2009.
More information on weblink:
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/training/rural_ministry_training_courses/index.html

Contact email: admin@arthurrankcentre.org.uk or tel: 024 7685 3060 for more information.

Conference on Rural Evangelism

Conference on Rural Evangelism – Wednesday 3^rd June, Selly Oak

at the International Mission Centre
.

Evangelism in rural areas is not an easy task, though both history and contemporary experience prove that, with a little careful understanding, appropriate and effective ways of sharing the gospel can be found. A day conference on June 3^rd at Selly Oak, Birmingham will be exploring what works and why. It has been organised by the Rural Evangelism Network. This is an open event but it is important to book in advance.

The Network is a national and ecumenical forum of practitioners, teachers and others drawn from the Churches and specialist mission organisations. In addition to exploring general principles there will be focus groups on various segments of the rural population such as farmers, men, and children. Other focus groups will explore fresh expressions of church in rural areas and even church planting. The programme runs from 10.00 to 4.00 and costs £25 (including lunch). There is a limited amount of overnight accommodation available on the 2^nd June for an extra £20. The venue is the International Mission Centre in Weoley Park Road, Selly Oak. Further enquiries can be made to the Rev’d Barry Osborne at 4, Clarence Street, Market Harborough, on 01858-414 930 or email ren@ruralmissions.org.uk

Or visit website: http://www.ruralmissions.org.uk

Diocesan Assembly: Book Now!

Spaces are still available for the Diocesan Assembly on 20th September.

The Diocesan Assembly: Saturday 20th September at Samworth Academy.

What will we see?
A rock opera called 'Luv Ester', the story of Old Testament Ester's engagement with God and society.
Many displays about life and activities in and around the parishes of the diocese.

...and do?...
many workshops are available from which to choose.

There will be a Eucharist at the end of the assembly, and we'll be launching Back To Church Sunday.

GOOD NEWS! PARKING has been made available to all those attending this event at three locations on Trenant Road and the Saffron Lane. If you have not yet sent back your booking form please do so at the absolute latest by 31st August to Carol Gibbons at Church House email: Carol.Gibbons@LecCofE.org or tel: 0116 248 7411.

Back To Church Sunday Training Opportunities

A session providing further resources for Back to Church Sunday including top tips for welcoming newcomers, engagement with newcomers on the day and what sort of follow-up to offer.
Training Courses would be held on Tuesday, 8 July 2008, 10am – 12noon at Church House and Tuesday, 9 September 2008, 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Christ the King, Beaumont Leys.

Want to gain a professional qualification in Youth Work?

Looking for a change of career and interested in working with young people? Want to combine practical experience with study?
Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry based at St John's Nottingham offers a variety of courses in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology. It is possible to get a relevant professional qualification at any level. Study full time or part time.
Enquiries: 0115 968 3222 Email: g.benson@stjohns-nottm.ac.uk 

Visit www.stjohns-nottm.ac.uk 

Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry St John's Bramcote Nottingham NG9 3DS

Free Media Training for Young Adults (18-35)

Fantastic training opportunity: Monday 9th – Wednesday 11th June 2008

theMediaNet Academy is a 3-day training course in which industry professionals will work intensively with aspiring producers to give them a grounding in TV, radio and on-line production. They will work on the production of an on-line soap opera Joel Bloggs - a story about a young journalist facing a crisis of conscience. The story will be launched by the group using video, audio and the web.

Christians aged 18-35 are invited to apply for places at the academy. Training and accommodation are all provided free of charge. Trainees will only be asked to cover the costs of travel, plus a £30 admin fee on registration. To find out more or download an application form, visit the academy website or call  0845 652 0027.   The Media Net Academy takes place in parallel with the Churches' Media Conference at Swanwick, Derbyshire from 9th – 11th June 2008. Industry experts attending include BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones.

Youth Ministry Courses

The Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry based at St John's College, Nottingham

is looking for both students and placements for their courses in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology.  Courses are offered at Further Education level (6 modules taught on 6 Saturdays over the year and a workbook to complete), Undergraduate - 3 year placement based degree (attendance at St John's two days per fortnight) and Postgraduate - Masters degrees for professional qualification or professional development (4 study weeks over two years and a dissertation). 

It is possible to get a relevant professional qualification at any level.

For further details please contact Gill Benson, Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry, St John's, Chilwell Lane, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3DS;  0115 968 3222, email:   g.benson@stjohns-nottm.ac.uk

or follow this link Youth Ministry Courses