October 2018 Dear All Here are details of some training and development opportunities available in the Kensington Area and the wider diocese, to help us grow into a more Confident, Compassionate and Creative church. Feel free to include any of the information below, in your church newsletters or forward it on to anyone who might have an interest. All items marked ** can be found on the Intranet here is the link: http://gabriel.london.anglican.org/open/area/kensington/ AREA HIGHLIGHTS ALL: Bishop s Teaching Evening Why does God allow Suffering? Various dates and venues One of the puzzles about Christian faith, and a question Christians are often asked is if God is good, why does he allow bad things to happen in his world? In this interactive teaching evening, Bishop Graham will look at this age-old problem and suggest some approaches to understanding this mystery and answering those for whom it is a stumbling block to faith, showing how, rather than an objection to faith, our experience of suffering is in fact a pointer to it. All are welcome from all churches across the Kensington Area. 16 October All Saints Fulham, 7pm 5 November St Michael & All Angels Bedford Park, 7.30pm 21 November St Saviour s Sunbury, 7.30pm 5 December St Stephen s Twickenham, 7.30pm ALL: New Church Officers Evening THIS EVENING HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Reception for PCC Treasurers, Stewardship Officers and those involved in parish finance Monday, 15th October 2018, 7.30pm at St Michael & All Angels Bedford Park The evening will begin at 7.30pm with a reception of light refreshments and Bishop Graham s address will being at 8pm. Please confirm your attendance to Olivia Malhotra so we can cater accordingly. Kensington Fundraising Workshops** Thursday 25 th October 2018, 7pm at St Mary the Virgin, Stanwell Would you like to know more about fundraising and some of its challenges? If so, join us the 2018 Fundraising Workshop for parishes in the Kensington area, as above. Designed to provide handy hints and tips for anyone interested in fundraising (clergy or lay), the evening will include presentations on: GDPR The Fundraising Regulator Why every parish needs a fundraising strategy Should legacies be part of your fundraising plan? Churchgrants is live! An introduction to a brand new searchable database of information about trusts and foundations that will specifically fund church projects, both capital and social programmes. In a change from previous workshops, time will be included for reflection and discussion after each presentation as a way of sharing good practice and great ideas. There will also be the chance for parish representatives to meet with a member of the fundraising team prior to the 7pm start to discuss any specific fundraising issues being experienced. To reserve your place at St Mary the Virgin, Stanwell.
If you would benefit from a 1:1 slot to discuss a particular fundraising issue, members of the fundraising team will be on hand before the event from 6.00 pm - to help you further. Please use the link above to register your request and we will be in touch at a later date to confirm a time for your meeting. KENSINGTON AREA CLERGY RESIDENTIAL 2 nd to 5 th July 2019 at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire A reminder to save the date for the Clergy residential next year. This is for all licensed clergy and more details will be sent out soon. CONFIRMATION DATES 2019** Please click here for a list of the confirmed 2019 confirmation dates. CONFIDENCE ALL: The Five Love Languages - an evening with Gary Chapman Thursday, 11 th October 2018, 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Brompton This is a rare opportunity to hear Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, live. The evening will consist of a drinks reception followed by two lecture style sessions in which Gary will address The Two Essentials for a Healthy Marriage; Keeping love alive and Dealing Effectively With Our Failures. The evening will end with a Q&A session. Gary will also be available for book signing and there will be an opportunity to purchase a range of his best-selling books. To book, please click here. CLERGY: St Mellitus Termly Lecture: On Bonhoeffer Wednesday,, 7 th November 2018, 10am 12.30pm at St Mellitus During the 1960s, Bonhoeffer s infamous Letters and Papers from Prison made waves around the world. Accompanied by the testimony of his life, as well as other writings such as Life Together and Discipleship, they served to generate a sustained discussion of Bonhoeffer and his thought among both theologians and churches in that decade and beyond. In this lecture Mark Knight, will consider what it is that makes Bonhoeffer such a wellspring for contemporary reflection, and relating this to the context of Anglican debates in particular. To book online go to: https://st-mellitus-lecture-2018-11-07.eventbrite.co.uk11. CLERGY: Reaching 20s-30s - Exploring the Joys and Challenges for Churches Saturday, 24 th November 2018 in Coventry The Area Priority of Growing Younger and helping our churches engage with young adults from mid/late teens through to early thirties remains a key focus, and we re keen to offer helpful resources whenever that is possible. This free one day event in Coventry, comes highly recommended by the CofE s national mission team and looks very useful. Please click on this link which provides further details. Church Growth Learning Communities These learning communities explore how your church can grow in both depth and breadth. Church leadership teams meet for two days every six months over a two-year period in the City of London to reflect on what is going well, imagine what could be, and discover how those possibilities can become reality. The next 2018 Weekend Community starts on 5 & 6 October 2018 (Friday evening and Saturday). The next 2018 Weekday Community starts on 6 & 7 November 2018 (Tuesday and Wednesday). Sign up on the http://www.centreforchurchplanting.org/church-growth-learning-communities/ website or email catherine.ellerby@london.anglican.org Kensington Area Confirmation Dates 2018 Please click here to see the list of confirmation dates and parishes. Any church or candidate is allowed to join any parish so please be in touch with the hosting vicar if you d like to bring candidates along. For more information, contact Emma Hughes on emma.hughes@london.anglican.org 2
COMPASSION ALL: Caring for Ex-Offenders (CFEO) Volunteer Training Day Saturday, 13 th October 2018, 9am to 5.30pm (lunch provided) at Church House Upper, HTB, SW7 1JA. The cost of this training day is 30 and will cover the model of CFEO and how it works in practice (using real scenarios experienced at HTB), including maintaining boundaries and safeguarding. There will be a section on mentoring, which is still relevant for any member of the team who will have contact with the individual, and involves mentoring techniques and communication skills. If you would like to attend the training day, please book on via the following link: https://htb.churchsuite.co.uk/events/r5wbmzn1 CLERGY: Week of Accompanied Prayer Monday, 15 th October 2018, 11am to 2pm at St Edmund the King, Lombard Street, EC3V 9EA A Week of Accompanied Prayer is a well-tested and Spirit-led tool for helping members of your congregation in their prayer life. From those who have been Christians for years, to new Christians to people right on the fringe of your community, these Weeks speak to everyone because they start where the individual is. Led by the Revd Alison Christian, this is an opportunity to discover how these Weeks work in practice and the support available to help you put one on. Find out how running such a Week in your context might help your people into a deeper walk with God. To book online go to: https://week-of-prayer-2018-10-15.eventbrite.co.uk CLERGY: Continue the Amazing Journey: families and faith after baptism 17th-18th October 2018 at the Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire The Archbishop s Council will be holding Continue the Amazing Journey: families and faith after baptism, a 24 hour conference at The Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire. This conference will share practical ideas, insights from research and case studies from parish experience. It will include ideas about schools, toddler groups, family outreach and prayer at home and is open to any who are wanting to see the families we meet flourish in their faith. Booking is now open at www.familiesandfaith.org. Liturgy at home and in hospital** Wednesday, 31 st October at Southwark Cathedral Both clergy, lay leaders as well as ordinands and those in training for lay ministry to attend will all be welcome. Please note that ordinands and laity in training may attend at no charge. If you do not deal yourself with the training of Lay Pastoral Assistants, or similar, please pass on a copy of this e-mail to the appropriate person in your diocese. Details of the day and of how to book are on the flyer as well as https://www.praxisworship.org.uk/praxis_south.html BAME: Minority Ethnic Vocations Conference 2018 2 nd 4 th November 2018 at Yarnfield ST15 0NL This residential weekend conference organised by Ministry Division, of the Archbishops Council, is for men and women from minority ethnic heritage wishing to explore the possibility of Ordained Ministry in the Church of England. For more information and to book, please click here. CLERGY: Tragedy and Congregations Wednesday, 14 th November 2018, 9:30 am to 4.30 pm at Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, SW1P 4AU In the light of recent tragedies (including Grenfell Tower, London Bridge and Westminster), this study day offers an introduction to practical, psychological and theological issues associated with traumatic events. This course will provide an opportunity to learn how to respond in a healthy way to such events, in the form of initial practices of compassionate action, conversation, liturgy and prayer, and subsequent reflection on theological motifs. To book online click here. 3
ALL: Prison Ministry Conference Monday, 19th November 2018 at Holy Trinity Brompton Want to learn more about supporting and caring for ex-offenders? Or simply want to make a difference in prisons? Join us at this year s Prison Ministry Conference as we network, discover and explore the role you and your church can have in the journey of those affected by the prison system. You will hear from a wide range of voices in the criminal justice system and look at how we can all support the journey from prisoners to ex-offenders, and are excited to launch our speaker line up soon. For more information, click here. ALL: Democracy and the Common Good: Alternatives to GDP Wednesday, 28 th November 2018, 6:45pm 8pm at OBE Chapel, St Paul s Cathedral This event is open to all who wish to attend and is free of charge. However, we would welcome a donation (we suggest 5-10) to help cover the running costs from anyone who wishes to make it. The entrance for this event will be the North West Crypt Door. If you have any accessibility needs please let Jodi Kiang know by emailing: institute@stpaulscathedral.org.uk. For more information and to book, click here. CREATIVITY ALL: Diocesan Healing Service** Sunday. 21 st October 2018, 6pm at Golders Green Parish Church, NW11 7QG The Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Revd Rob Wickham, will be preaching and presiding at this service organised by the Christian Healing Mission. At the end of the service there will be the opportunity for anointing with oil and individual prayer for healing. For more information, please click here. ALL: Day of Prayer for the Media Sunday. 4 th November 2018 Join with churches and Christians across the UK in praying for the media. Love it or hate it, media plays a vital role in our lives. At its best, media gives a voice to the voiceless, holds the powerful to account, and highlights unjust practices while entertaining us and keeping us informed. As Christians, we affirm and support the media s vital role in our society. We promote the highest standards in the media, and give our backing to the vast majority of people working in media as they strive for integrity and truth. From national newspapers to local radio, from websites to specialist publications, from TV networks to blogs, all have a valuable role to play. A thriving global, and national, media matters to all of us. We want to know about our world, its celebrations, its problems and its joys, and we need a thriving media to help us engage with it. For more information, click here. ALL: Working with Young Adults Wednesday, 7 th November 2018, 10am 3pm at Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, SE1 1HW Christian Selvaratnam leads G2 church in York, a church that has a particular ministry to young adults. He will be leading a day in Southwark, helping leaders look at how they can mentor and support young people and help them grow spiritually. Christian will also be helping us look at some of what he has learned about culture and the implication for ministry to Millennials. This day is especially aim at leaders, lay or ordained, working with or seeking to work with young adults. Lunch is provided, please let us know any special dietary requirements when you book. ALL: Prayer Spaces in Schools Saturday, 17 th November 2018, 10am 1pm at St George s Primary School. Hanover Square Discover how to run a prayer space in your local school; explore different ways to connect with your local school; hear stories and speak to practitioners and explore different prayer activities. To book, email prayer.spaces@london.anglican.org. 4
2018 Ministry of Sport Conference to be held at Lambeth Palace Monday 26 th November 2018 The conference will be held on Monday 26th November. On the Sunday evening before, 25th November, there will be an evangelistic sport service at St. James, Clerkenwell which delegates are invited to attend. Please be aware of the dates. More information will be available later in the year. Faraday Institute workshops: Science and Faith in the Local Church 9-10 January: Cambridge, 20-21 February: Bristol, 13-14 March: Manchester These workshops are aimed at church leaders, lay or ordained, and those in training. Each workshop will cover contemporary hot topics in the dialogue between Science and Religion as well as how to engage with Science and Faith in the local Church and pastoral approaches to Science-Faith issues. Each workshop will cost 50 including a light lunch. For more information, please visit www.faraday-institute.org. Best wishes Olivia Malhotra 5