Cirencester School. Please take this free copy away with you

Transcription

1 Cirencester School. of Faith 2014 Please take this free copy away with you

2 Please book all courses through The Parish Office, Gosditch Street Cirencester, GL7 2AG A booking form can be found at the back of this booklet

3 Introduction Leonard Doolan, Director of the School of Faith marks the 100 th anniversary of the Outbreak of World War I. This war had a devastating impact not just by the sheer loss of life, but in questioning almost every institution that had supported society prior to it. Those who are devotees of Downton Abbey will have seen the social impact this war had on previously safe social strata in England; but it didn't just affect the downstairs order of the great houses of England. It affected everyone. Almost no family was left who had not lost someone. Some years ago I was Rector of a small set of villages outside Woodstock. One of the parishes was an 'estate parish'. The church was in the grounds of the Hall, and every house in the village was estate owned. The owner of the estate became an officer when war broke out, and so he and his estate workers went off to fight in Flanders. On the war memorial in that village the list of those who perished is staggering when the size of the village is taken into account. Every home in the village will have had a candle burning in the window to express a sense of loss. What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries for them from prayers or bells, nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,- the shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; and bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; their flowers the tenderness of silent minds, and each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. (Anthem for doomed youth. Wilfred Owen).

4 Inherited views of the church, and indeed faith itself, were also put under intense scrutiny. Excessively well paid bishops of the Church of England (before the war their stipends were massive by comparison to today) were used as 'whipping boys' to drum up young men to go off to die in northern France. One church historian Alan Wilkinson, in his book The Church of England and the First World War, suggests that the Church of England has never fully recovered from the part it played in recruiting cannon fodder. Yet this was also the time of great priests, who attended to the men in the battlefield and in the trenches priests of real stature such as 'Tubby' Clayton who established Toc H, and his colleague Fr. Talbot who established what we know as Talbot House in Poperinge as a safe haven of peace for officers. School of Faith seeks to honour this significant year. As well as other really interesting courses in 2014 we are offering a course specifically around the time of Remembrance. In addition, the visit to Bruges will hopefully include a day travelling around Flanders Fields, visiting the war graves at Tynecot, a German war grave, ending with Ieper (Ypres) to coincide with the daily evening ceremony at the Menin Gate. My thanks to all who are giving of their time and expertise in leading various courses for School of Faith The Menin Gate

5 Difficult Questions for Parents 6 th Feb Who made God? Leader: Gary Grady 13 th Feb Where has Gran gone? Leader: Angie Austin 6 th March What if my child dies? Leader: Panel 27 th Feb Why do people do bad things? Leader: Catherine Montgomerie Thursdays at 9am 10am in Powell s School Music and Drama Room Cost:

6 Baptism and Eucharist Feb 8 th Baptism what is its origins and what does it mean now? Leonard Doolan Baptism is to be found in scripture even before the emergence of the Christian faith but after the death and resurrection of Jesus becomes the identifying mark of believers. Learning outcome: Through looking at baptism, in scripture and history we will gain insights into contemporary baptismal practice Feb 15 th Eucharist what is the history and what does it mean now? Gary Grady The Eucharist is a complex mystery and a practice that dates back over 2000 years, yet remains central to our worship. Why? Learning outcome: By the end of the session, you will have a greater understanding of the history and meaning of the Eucharist, how it is rooted in the Bible, and how its practice has withstood the tumults of history. Venue: Time: Parish Centre 10.00am Cost:

7 Disability Issues with Penny Light 'Mr. Cellophane' This course will look at ways in which those people with disabilities have been viewed within society past and present. Attitudes will be analysed and examples of good practice sought and discussed. We will look at how disability has been portrayed in literature and art. Penny Light is an Associate Priest in the Parish of Cirencester and has experience of working with adults and children with special needs. Tues 11 th March History - How attitudes have changed Tues 18 th March Society today's values and practices Tues 25 th March The Church and Scripture what can we learn Venue: Parish Centre Time: 2.00pm Cost: 6.00 *********************** I believe a basic course in Christian Belief Leader: Leonard Doolan Many people in our congregations turn up week by week and experience the creed, the church, the bible and the sacraments but may feel they know very little about them. This is an opportunity to explore some basic elements of Christian practice. Dates: Tuesday March 18 th Tuesday March 25 th Tuesday April 1 st Tuesday April 8 th The Creeds The Church The Bible The Sacraments Each evening will begin with an informal celebration of the eucharist. Venue: Cirencester Vicarage Time: 7.30pm Cost:

8 Lent lunch talks Venue: Parish Church Cirencester Time: Eucharist at Noon Followed by bread and cheese lunch March 12 th Poppy Hughes (Rector of Tetbury) March 19 th David Bowers (Rector of Churnside Benefice) March 26 th Leonard Doolan (Vicar of Cirencester) April 2 nd Angie Austin (Curate of Churnside Benefice) April 9 th Val Bexon (Rector of Ermin West Benefice) Donations towards lunch costs appreciated. No need to book. **************************** South Cotswolds Team Lenten Series The Problem of Pain - Christians searching for God in suffering March 13th March 20 th March 27th April 3rd April 10th James Shoan: Struck down by illness David Blair: Finding meaning in Dementia David and Joanna Whittaker: The Death of a Child Revd Dr Trystan Owain Hughes: ' Finding Meaning and Hope in Suffering' Anne Atkins: When Life seems against you Thursdays at 7:00pm in Fairford (Venue to be confirmed) 6

9 The Four Western Doctors of the Church Led by Bob Gardiner Introduction These great figures of the church are known as the Western Doctors, or Western Fathers, because they wrote in Latin rather than Greek. Four very different men in character and gifts, they have had an immense influence on the Christian faith as it has developed in western Europe and hence in most of the wider world. Ambrose was a great hymn writer and writer of prayers, Augustine a powerful thinker, philosopher and theologian, Jerome translated the Bible into Latin remarkably using not only the Greek versions but also Hebrew editions of the Jews scriptures. Gregory the Great a great teaching abbot who would have preferred the simplicity and anonymity of the cloister, submitted to the call of God to the hurly burly and political intrigue of the papacy where he served with missionary zeal and reforming courage. Dates: Monday 28 th April Ambrose of Milan He took what is mine in order that He might impart to me what is His. He took it not to overturn it but to fill it. Tuesday 6 th May Augustine of Hippo To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement. Monday 12 th May Jerome c 'Why do you not practise what you preach?' Monday 19 th May Gregory the Great c When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice. Venue: Cornerstone Coffee Shop Time: 7.30pm Cost:

10 Gifts of the Spirit led by Paul Springate Wed 7 th May The Spirit of Life. To discover who the Holy Spirit is as seen in the Scriptures Wed 14 th May The Spirit of Growth. Realising that God's heart is to develop the character of Jesus in us as part of our personality Wed 21 st May The Spirit of Mission. Recognising how the Spirit manifests Himself through us as Jesus touching His world. Wed 28 th May The Wild Spirit of God in our lives. Discerning the activity of the Spirit in everyday life as we go about our activities as Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. Venue: Town Hall Cirencester Time: 7.30pm Cost: 8.00 ***************************** June 1 st A Vocation Sunday At the Parish Church in Cirencester at 10.00am the Eucharist will focus on Vocation. The Revd. Ian Bussell, DDO and CME Adviser for the Diocese will lead an interview panel with a range of people at different stages in discernment, placement and training. This will be followed up by the opportunity to talk one to one with those in the panel. Open to all. 8

11 St. Paul's Letters led by Trevor Kemp Mondays 2 nd June, 16 th June, 23 rd June To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Venue; Kemble House and All Saints, Kemble Time: 7.30pm Cost:

12 Guided Retreat Leonard Doolan will lead a retreat in the glorious and hospitable surroundings of the Benedictine Abbey of Sint Andries on the outskirts of Bruges, Belgium The dates will be Monday 15 th September Friday 19 th September. Allow for about 160 euros per person, plus ferry (about each) and a contribution to the car driver's petrol. Each day we will join in the worship of the monks, as well as having an Anglican service each day. There will be a day in Bruges when we can go round the Groenige Museum or the Sint Jan Hospital Museum (both are museums with mediaeval works of art). Because of the significance of 2014 in relation to WWI, the trip to Bruges this year will include a visit to the war graves area and Ieper (Ypres) as well as an afternoon in Bruges, so only one day and one morning will be set aside as 'quiet time' within the overall visit. If you are not accustomed to going on Retreat but have always had a sneaking desire to do so, this programme is an ideal blend of quietness and shared time. Closing date for bookings and payment (160 euros): Friday 25 th July. 10

13 Reflections on the First World War Thursdays 9 th October: Talbot House with Cliff Pooley 16 th October: 1 st World War Poetry with Janet Williams 23 rd October: Reflections of a serving Forces Chaplain with Revd WngCo John Ellis 30 th October: What do we say on Remembrance Sunday? ( leader: tba) A workshop on preaching for Remembrance Venue: Town Hall Cirencester Time: 2.00pm Cost: 8.00 A preaching workshop *********************** A series of practical workshops for clergy, Readers, and anyone who has to preach in their churches - or for those who are just interested in preaching! 6 th Nov: Preaching for Advent 13 th Nov: Preaching at carol Services 20 th Nov: Preaching for Christmas Services 27 th Nov: Preaching for Epiphany Themes Leaders to be confirmed Venue: To be confirmed Time: 2.00pm Cost:

14 2014 Pilgrimages We have been walking around and within our Diocese since 2008 with 12 one day walks and two 7 day events. In we are scheduled to complete another two Saturdaywalks and one long 7 day pilgrimage. Our first walk on Saturday March 15 th will start at English Bicknor and reach Clifford s Mense, both in the Forest of Dean a distance of 12.8 miles. The second walk (Saturday April 26 th ) will be slightly longer at miles from Lower Lemington to Westcote (in the Moreton-in-Marsh/Bledington area) An finally, to complete our current series of pilgrimages we will assemble at 2pm at Welford Sunday June 8 th (Pentecost) and take a leisurely stroll to Down Ampney. (10.70 miles) Day 2: Down Ampney - Cerney Wick-South Cerney - Somerford Keynes - Pool Keynes - Kemble (9.80 miles) Day 3: Kemble - Long Newnton - Shipton Moyne - Sopworth (15.75 miles) Day 4: Sopworth - Badminton - Acton Turville - Old Sodbury - Chipping Sodbury (11.70 miles) Day 5: Chipping Sodbury - Rangeworthy -Tytherington - Thornbury-Oldbury-on-Severn (11.46miles) Day 6: Oldbury-on-Severn - Sharpness - Purton - Frampton-on-Severn (14.95 miles) Day 7: Frampton-on-Severn - Gloucester Cathedral (10.60 miles) Bishop Michael will be joined by around 15 pilgrims, some from our link Diocese s in Västerås (Sweden) and El Camino (USA), who will walk the entire journey staying overnight in parishes along the way. Many more will join us for sections of the pilgrimage each day as we weave our way through the final highways and byeways of our Diocese. When we reach the Cathedral on June 14th we will have walked round the entire perimeter of the Diocese (or very close!) and much of the 'interior' as well. This will mean that we have journeyed over 450 miles and visited over 180 churches. A special Eucharist celebration is planned for the afternoon of Saturday June14th as we reach the end of our pilgrimage. Details: Stuart Bexon gloucesterpilgrim@btinternet.com 12

15 Booking Form for 2014 School of Faith courses Your name... Your address post Code... Telephone contact Please book the following: Course Name... No of persons... Course Name... No of persons... Course Name....No of persons... Course Name....No of persons... Please return this form with cheque payable to Cirencester PCC to: The School of Faith (2014 courses) The Parish Office Gosditch Street, Cirencester, GL7 2AG Website:

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