Church Leadership Programme 7th-11th October 2019 and 27th April - 1st May 2020

Transforming leadership from the inside out Strengthening personal qualities, insights and skills for effective Christian leadership. The residential elements of the programme are to be held from the 7th to 11th of October 2019 and from 27th of April to the 1st of May 2020, at Wydale Hall, Yorkshire.

What does it seek to achieve?

• to continue to place Christian leadership within the context of vocation and ministry within the United Reformed Church
• to enable growth in personal formation for participants, and extend the knowledge and skills necessary for effective Christian leadership
• reflection on personal leadership experience, alongside new ways of leadership discernment
• to develop leaders who enable United Reformed Churches to become communities of more faithful disciples, better equipped to share in the Mission of God – Walking the Way of Jesus Today

This programme is for people in recognised church leadership roles and those in public ministry as ministers of Word and sacraments and church-related community workers. The course benefits those with some experience of Christian leadership, including those nearing retirement. There are up to 16 places each time the programme runs. The Church Leadership Programme (CLP) takes place over two residential weeks, Monday to Friday, approximately 6 months apart. The first week concentrates on the personal qualities and skills which are core to a leader; the second focuses on how these are translated within public leadership. Between the two parts there is a personal development project which is particular to each participant. It helps to put learning into practice and embeds the spiritual, emotional and intellectual changes engendered in the first week.

Each residential week costs £265, making the total £530. Each week is in a different calendar year, making it possible for grants to be sought more easily from various sources.  Download: Church Leadership Programme Further Details 

GodVenture: Explore the Bible Workshop - 8th October 2019

Tuesday 8th October 2019  7.30pm - 9.30pm  - Whittlesford United Reformed Church, 36 Duxford Road, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4ND

A fun, interactive evening with Victoria Beech from GodVenture. Be inspired and try out lots of simple creative ideas for exploring the Bible with children at home, in groups and all-age settings.

Victoria has over 20 years experience working with children in a wide variety of settings, and has been running GodVenture for ten years, encouraging and inspiring families in their faith at home. She is an ideas person and loves exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith and celebrating Biblical feasts. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram: GodVenture

Download:  GodVenture Poster  - View Website to book a free place 

In Harmony - Biennial Festival of Church Music at Guildford Cathedral 12th October 2019

Biennial Festival of Church Music at Guildford Cathedral - Saturday 12 October 2019

Our next Festival in Guildford Cathedral are well under way. The theme of the service is “Stewards of Creation” and the anthems to be sung are:-

• Jubilate Deo  -  Pamela Colverson
• Give to our God immortal praise -  Christopher Norton
• This is my Father’s world -  arr. Sally DeFord
• For the beauty of the earth -  David Blackwell
• Creation -  Andrew Winton
• Jesus shall reign - Hatton arr. Shaw
• O Lamb of God - John Taverner
• Look at the world -  John Rutter
• Day by day -  Martin How
• Now the day is over  - Sidney J. Suckling

We hope that many of you will be able to join us either as part of a choir, or as an individual singer. The anthem books will be available from the middle of February and the cost per book is £11 which includes postage or £10 if collected. The books contain the conductor’s notes for use at local choir practices.

Website: Free Church Choirs 

Faith In Maintenance FREE Workshops - 12th October 2019 and 21st March 2020

"Stave off decay by daily care." - William Morris
Maintenance might not be the most glamorous side of managing historic places of worship, but it can make all the difference. A little time spent on a basic building 'MOT' can save a great deal of money at a later date, but where do you start and what should you do? This FREE workshop will give many of the answers with professional advice and practical sessions.

Faith in Maintenance is an award-winning course from SPAB (the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) and thanks to support from National Lottery Players, we are delighted to be offering it to parishes and organisations in the Diocese of Ely. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and meet other people from across the Diocese. This workshop is open to anyone looking after an historic place of worship as long as the buildings falls within the boundaries of the Diocese of Ely. It is open to all faiths and organisations. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day, but we kindly ask that you bring a packed lunch. Places are limited so we ask that no more than two people per parish or organisation attend. There are two opportunities to attend this workshop - booking is open for both:

WORKSHOP ONE Saturday 12th October 2019, 10:00am – 4.00pm Venue: St James' Church, High Street, Little Paxton, PE19 6NF

WORKSHOP TWO Saturday 21st March 2020, 10:00am – 4.00pm Venue: St Peter and St Pauls' Church Hall, Wisbech, PE13 1HP

Booking and Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Historic Church Buildings Support Officer - Tel: 07948 350211 or 01353 652705 

Download: Faith in Maintenance Poster               Download: Faith in Maintenance Press Release 

Release International - Voice of Persecuted Christians 14th October 2019

We are hosting an Release International event at Danbury Mission, 54 Maldon Road, Danbury, Chelmsford, CM3 4QL on the 14^th October 2019  refreshments from 7.30pm start at 8pm your congregation are invited to come along to hear Peter and Hadassah Hawk.

Release International is a Christian ministry that helps you engage with your persecuted brothers and sisters by praying with them, by responding to their practical needs and by learning lessons of true Christian discipleship with them. They are from diverse backgrounds both geographically and religiously, both are being used by God for his kingdom and both have suffered for their faith in Christ - their story is testimony to the amazing grace of God.  

Peter and Hadassah will be speaking about how God has transformed their suffering into his service.

Download: Peter and Hadassah Hawk Poster - more informaion contact Kenneth on 07375 516408 or Jo Dobson  Danbury Mission Tel 01245 227428 

A Place to be: Mental Health and Christian Leadership 23rd October 2019

The Free Churches Group are holding a day conference on mental health and wellbeing. 

23rd October 2019, at Bloomsbury Baptist Church, London - 10.00am to 4.00pm  - £25 including lunch. 

It’s designed to help Christian leaders to consider their own wellbeing, as well as to support people in their settings who might be struggling. There will be workshops on relaxation, mediation and mindfulness in the Ignatian tradition, an introduction to Mental Health First Aid, and a session on student mental health. 

Two keynote speakers will offer theological perspectives on mental health, so it should be a really interesting day.

Download:   A Place to be: Flyer  Website:   Free churches - Mental Health and Christian Leadership 
Website: Free churches Group 

Please contact Sarah for further information This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Free Churches Education Officer, 27 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HH  -  020 3651 8339

Worship and Engagement in Later Life 23rd and 29th October 2019

Inaugural Walter Hall Lecture - Central Methodist Hall, Westminster - 23rd October 2019 - at 6.30pm
This event is the launch of a new annual lecture series – the Walter Hall lectures The Rt Hon Lord David Willetts will be speaking on intergenerational responsibility.

Worship and Engagement in Later Life - 29th October 2019 -  St Paul's, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1JP - at 10am-3pm  -  Lunch will be provided

A training day for all involved in leading worship and pastoral care for older people. Discover ways in which older people, including those living with dementia, can be drawn into worship and find it a positive experience. Designed to meet the needs of different churches, retirement settings and other places of worship.

The WELL event is taking place at 6 different locations around the country, aimed at anyone involved in leading or facilitating worship for people in later life, either in a church, community or care home setting. The resources have been developed by our chaplaincy within MHA and are designed to help people lead worship in a context which may include people living with dementia. 

To book please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or telephone 01332 221922  - Crispian Acher, Head of Chaplaincy (Central), Methodist Homes  - Mob: 07483 112164   Download Poster: MHA Water Hall Lecture  Download Poster: Worship and Engagement in Later Life   View Website: MHA

Ministry Enquirers' Day - 26th October 2019 and 22nd February 2020

Ministry Enquirers' Day - Saturday 26th October 2019 - Westminster College, Cambridge, CB3 0AA
Ministry Enquirers' Day Saturday 22nd February 2020 - Northern College, Luther King House, Manchester

• Explore opportunities for service through the United Reformed Church
• Ask the questions that are on your mind and in your heart
• Hear from people engaged in a variety of lay and ordained ministries
• Listen for the voice of God as we worship and pray together

For full details contact:  -   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Download:  Voactions Ministry Enquirers' Day Poster

Gathering in Glasgow on Conflict and Faith 31st October 2019

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Adelaide Place Baptist Church, Glasgow Thursday 31st October (09:00) – Saturday 2nd November (12:30) 2019

Change, conflict and reconciliation are core to the journey of faith, to churches and to the world. Open to everyone interested in faith-based conflict transformation, this gathering aims to:

• respond to the hunger for reconciliation and peace in churches and communities
• develop and sustain the art of conflict transformation, reconciliation and peacebuilding
• share and develop knowledge and skills to support reconciliation work
• strengthen the unique contribution made to conflict transformation by churches and faith communities
• uncover the peacemaking skills you already have!

Keynote Speakers:   David Brubaker - Sarah Hills - Place for Hope / Ruth Harvey - Brendan McAllister
For more information and to book:   Website: Place for Hope Events  Telephone: 07884 580 359  Download: Gathering in Glasgow Poster

  
Easy First Steps...  in meeting your neighbours of other faiths

Saturday 2nd November 2019 at The London Interfaith Centre, 125 Salusbury Rd, Queen's Park, London NW6 6RG

Saturday 14th March 2020 at The Blackley Centre, West Yorkshire Prospect View, Elland HX5 0TD

From 11.00 am to 3.30 pm (Free lunch provided) - Open to: anyone who is interested in discovering what we hold in common with our neighbours from across the faiths. This half day event will include stories of working projects and practical workshops on:

• - Finding ways to work together
• - How to offer hospitality
• - Challenging evangelism
• - First steps in meeting our neighbours, exploring common ground
• - Where to find practical resources
• - Local stories of interfaith working
• - Overcoming prejudice and countering populism

If you are interested in attending one of these free events, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.