Training & Study
Bishop's Certificate in Discipleship
Full details about the Bishop's Certificate can be found at www.coventry.anglican.org/ministry/training/
CME Events
Safeguarding Children and Young People
This training will be based on the new Diocesan Guidelines and will cover all aspects of safeguarding, including types and indicators of abuse, how sex offenders operate, what to do if a disclosure is made, making a referral to Children’s Social Care, ex-offenders in the Church, safe recruitment, Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The training days will be led by Carol Clarke, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.
- Tuesday 17 November, 10am-3pm at St Peter’s Church Centre, Wellesbourne
- Thursday 10 December, 10am-3pm at Holy Trinity, Attleborough
This training is free. Please book through cme@covcofe.org.
November 25, 2009 - Handling the Past
How can we understand the role of historic churches as a positive mission opportunity rather than a negative burden? On this study day we shall look at Victorian strategy for mission, the situation we’re in today, and share some ideas about the future.
An historic churches study day with Richard Cooke, Helen McGowan and Claire Strachan. Wednesday 25 November at St John the Baptist, Berkswell, 10am-3pm. Cost: £40 (including lunch). Grants of half the cost are available for clergy and Readers. Book through cme@covcofe.org.
February 1, 2010 - Reconciliation
A study day on the theme of Reconciliation with Canon David Porter (Coventry Cathedral). Monday 1 February at Red Hill Christian Centre, 10am-3pm with an abbreviated repeat from 7.30-9.30pm. Cost: £40 (including lunch) for the daytime course, £17.50 (including coffee and cakes) for the evening. Grants of half the cost are available for clergy and Readers. Book through cme@covcofe.org.
February 25, 2010 - Mercy-Shaped Ministry
‘Since it is by God’s mercy we have this ministry we do not lose heart’. 2 Cor 4.
Ministry is demanding and costly but Paul insists its source is God’s mercy before all else. A day reflecting on what it means to live by the mercy of God and exploring what a mercy-shaped church might look like.
Through the day there will be input, prayer, personal space and shared discussion time.
Thursday 25 February at Offa House, 10am-3pm with an abbreviated repeat from 7.30-9.30pm. Cost: £40 (including lunch) for the daytime course, £17.50 (including coffee and cakes) for the evening. Grants of half the cost are available for clergy and Readers. Book through cme@covcofe.org.
April 22, 2010 - Seeking the Angel of the Church
‘To the angel of the church write…’
Churches and communities, like individuals, have their own character and spirit. The reason long term transformation is often missing is because the spirit has not been named and ministered to. Based on the work of Walter Wink, a day exploring the name and character and ‘angel’ of our communities and how to minister to them.
Thursday 22 April at Red Hill Christian Centre, 10am-3pm with an abbreviated repeat from 7.30-9.30pm. Cost: £40 (including lunch) for the daytime course, £17.50 (including coffee and cakes) for the evening. Grants of half the cost are available for clergy and Readers. Book through cme@covcofe.org.
April 27, 2010 - Learning from Luke
A Bible Reflection day with Paula Gooder and Richard Cooke. Tuesday 27 April at Offa House, 10am-3pm with an abbreviated repeat from 7.30-9.30pm. Cost: £40 (including lunch) for the daytime course, £17.50 (including coffee and cakes) for the evening. Grants of half the cost are available for clergy and Readers. Book through cme@covcofe.org.
July 6, 2010 - Spanish Mystics
A Spirituality Reflection Day with Ruth Tuschling, Tuesday 6 July at Offa House, 10am-3pm with an abbreviated repeat from 7.30-9.30pm. Cost: £40 (including lunch) for the daytime course, £17.50 (including coffee and cakes) for the evening. Grants of half the cost are available for clergy and Readers. Book through cme@covcofe.org.
Other Events
Diocesan Board of Education
Continuing Professional Development Opportunities
10th November 2009 - Being a Governor in a Church School – An Introductory Session - Exploring the Roles and Responsibilities of Governors in Church Schools 7-9.00pm at Clifton upon Dunsmore CofE Primary School, Main Street, Clifton, Rugby CV23 OBT
To book: contact Joanne Evans on 02476 521250 or email joanne.evans@covcofe.org. A full list of the courses can be downloaded from http://www.covdioc.org.uk/courses%20and%20conferences.htm
Professor Stephen Bevans
In November there will be two open events marking the visit of Professor Stephen Bevans SVD to Birmingham.
19 November, 2 - 4pm at The Queen’s Foundation
An academic seminar with the theme ‘Theology in Global Perspective’
To register or request further details, please contact Adam Hood at ah@queens.ac.uk or call 0121 452 2625.
21 November, 10am - 1pm at Newman University College
The session is entitled ‘What Contextual Theology can offer the Church of the 21st Century’
Lunch will be provided; the suggested offering for the morning and lunch is £15
To register or request further details, please contact David McLoughlin at d.b.mcloughlin@newman.ac.uk or call 0121 476 1181 ext. 2239.
Fr Bevans is the Professor of Mission and Culture at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
Ministry Where You Work?
Saturday 21 November 2009, 9am - 12.30pm at St Margaret’s Chapter House, Whitnash (tea and coffee will be available) followed by a pub lunch (at your own cost) for those who would like to stay.
This is an invitation to all readers, OLMs and NSMs in the Coventry Diocese to attend a half-day workshop exploring ‘What Sacraments Do I Discover At Work?’ The programme will allow time to talk about what you actually do at work, and to explore how this might be ministry. In particular, the sacraments discovered in the course of that work will be explored. As well as talking together, there will be work in small groups and time for individual reflection. There will also be time for prayer, focussed on the issues of the workplaces discussed.
To book, or to request further information, please contact Revd Dr Felicity Smith on 01926 492452 or at felicity@fandi.me.uk
Preaching and Teaching about Science and Religion - a discussion group
The Darwin 150 celebrations this year, and the continuing activity of few well known 'public figures' have combined to bring publicity to the interaction between science and religion. There have been strong views expressed from both sides of the (assumed) divide, promoting standpoints of either strict biblical or strict scientific infallibility. Preachers and Teachers in the churches are faced with the need to respond to the concerns raised whilst taking in to account the scientific and theological backgrounds of their congregations.
The purpose of establishing this discussion group is to allow for the exchange of ideas, experiences and resources, so that those who 'labour in the vineyard' are enabled to learn from one another and so aid the understanding of those for whom they 'preach and teach'
The first meeting is on Thursday 26th November 2009 at 7.00 p.m at The Queen's Foundation, Somerset Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2QH
If you would like to attend, please contact Revd. Dr Adam Hood at hooda@queens.ac.uk or John Parkin at john.parkin@blueyonder.co.uk
Theological Education and the Theology of Education
4 - 6 January 2010, St Stephen’s house, Oxford.
A conference for all who seek to promote education in theology within the Church of England and beyond. Speakers will include Graham Ward, John Milbank, Alison Milbank, Alister McGrath, Jeremy Morris and Simon Oliver.
Alongside the lectures, the conference will include presentations and discussions of lively and imaginative programmes of education in theology from parishes and dioceses, universities and schools.
For more information, visit www.returningtothechurch.org.uk
Through a strange land: leading the rural church into the future
Multi-parish benefice day conference: Thursday 14 January 2010, 10am - 4pm at the King’s Centre, Oxford
The rural church is caught between maintaining church as it used to be and seeking to imagine what it might become. The purpose of this conference is to:
- Acknowledge that the task is tough
- Recognise where the rural church has come from
- Think with daring and imagination about the journey ahead
- Share encouraging stories
- Inspire the rural church with hope, as God's people
The cost for the day is £40 (including lunch). Clergy and Readers can claim the full cost from their CME grant (CMD on the form). Click here to download the full details and booking form.
Sexuality and Human Flourishing Conference
Saturday 6 February 2010, 10am - 4.30pm at Church of the Ascension, Stirchley, Birmingham.
A Day Conference to explore and celebrate our relationship with God, with each other, and with our inner selves. Speakers will be Arnold Browne, former dean Trinity College, Cambridge on The Scriptures and Sexual Diversity and Alison Webster, SR Advisor, Diocese of Oxford on Sexual Diversity and the Human Journey.
The aim of the day is to create a safe and holy space in which we can explore the themes of human sexuality, faith, and relationships, through listening, reflection and discussion. Cost £15 (Concessions £5).
For further information and details about how to book, please contact Daphne Cook, Centre for the Study of Christianity and Sexuality, on 01789 762 553 or at daphnecook@btinternet.com.
Preaching in the Age of the Internet
National Reader’s Conference, University of Lancaster, 23 - 25 July 2010
With John Bell from the Iona Community.
Further information will be available in the autumn. Keep an eye on the website at www.readers.cofe.anglican.org
You can also find details of events happening soon in the recent editions of 'End the Week' at http://www.coventry.anglican.org/ministry/learning/endtheweek/