Equipping for life Learning for discipleship and ministry Courses for September December 2018 Welcome 2 Study skills, Moodle and getting to grips with online assessment 3 Introducing Communion by Extension 4 Introduction to lay ministry 5 Introducing the Church of England 6 Mission and evangelism (Level 4: Introductory) 7 Topics in Christian doctrine (Level 5: Intermediate) 10 Looking ahead: spring and summer courses 11 1
Welcome Welcome to Equipping for Life. You will find here a range of courses designed to help you grow in your faith, discipleship and understanding so you will be better equipped to serve God in everyday life at work, at church and at home. Who are these courses for? Offered by Oxford Diocese as part of its Local Ministry Programme, these courses are for those training as Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) or for ordination, and also a growing number of people with a passion to learn more about their faith, about God and our place in his world. Perhaps you want to explore something new, become better equipped or dig a bit deeper into what you believe and why? Simply select your course and sign up. What level? Will I cope? You don t need qualifications or prior experience to get the most from these courses. While we provide a more structured learning environment than is possible in a local church, sessions are pitched at a level well within the grasp of most adult learners. Level 4 courses are introductory (i.e. equivalent to the first year of university) and assume no prior knowledge. Level 5 is more intermediate and assumes some prior learning or experience at Level 4. Saturday courses often cover more practical areas of ministry and can be good taster sessions for other courses. Will I need to do any assignments? Is there any homework? While assessed work is compulsory for ordinands and LLMs in training, there is no pressure for other interested learners to do marked assignments. The option, though, is always there if you want it and a number of people do find this helpful. Some sessions involve an element of preparation but we understand that life is busy and not everyone enjoys independent study. Validation and awards Our evening courses are delivered as part of the national Common Awards programme validated by Durham University. Should you opt for assessed work and wish to take things a step further, it is possible to work towards a Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Mission and Ministry from Durham. Please ask about this if you are interested. How many courses can I do? As many as you like! Some people just do particular courses which take their fancy; others come along for one and then just keep coming each term. Why not give it a go, dip a toe in the water and see how you get on? How do I sign up for a course? 2
Study skills, Moodle and getting to grips with online assessment NEW TO STUDY? OR MAYBE IT S BEEN A WHILE? This day is to help adult learners ease back into the world of study, with a focus on basic study skills, finding your way around our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle), and getting to grips with academic practices. The morning will include: writing good theological essays, constructing portfolios, academic referencing and making the most of learning styles. The afternoon will focus on Moodle, introducing on-line assignment submission and our new plagiarism checking software. There will also be an opportunity to follow up on some of the morning s material. Recommended for new ordinands and LLMs in training, as well as existing students wanting to improve their Moodle skills. Come for all or half of the day. Saturday 15 September 10am 4pm LUNCH Please bring a packed lunch 20 St James Church Hall 13 Beauchamp Lane Cowley Oxford OX4 3LF Anne Taylor (LLM Training Team) Revd Dr Phil Cooke (Local Ministry Programme Leader, Oxford Diocese) Graham Cartwright (LMP Academic Administrator) 3
Introducing Communion by Extension HOLY COMMUNION IS CENTRAL TO CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. This course explores Communion by Extension and its relation to the Eucharist in both the Bible and Anglican tradition. It is open to all who are interested in discovering more about this particular aspect of Christian worship, and is particularly designed for those training to lead services of Communion by Extension. Saturday 8 September 10am 3pm LUNCH Please bring a packed lunch 20 St Thomas Colnbrook Vicarage Way Colnbrook Slough SL3 0JY TUTOR Revd Canon Rod Cosh (Area Dean, Burnham and Slough) 4
Introduction to lay ministry THIS COURSE EXPLORES THE THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY, LAY AND ORDAINED, AND ISSUES OF SUPPORT AND SUPERVISION. It is for Licensed Lay Ministers in training and other interested learners. For those training for Licensed Lay Ministry, this day is a compulsory element of the Foundations for Reflective Practice module. Saturday 13 October 10am 4pm LUNCH Please bring a packed lunch 20 Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington OX5 1GF Revd Dr Phillip Tovey (Deputy Warden of Readers, Oxford Diocese) and Pauline Stanton-Saringer (LLM Archdeaconry Adviser) 5
Introducing the Church of England DO YOU KNOW YOUR CHANCEL FROM YOUR CHANCELLOR? The Church of England has a long and complex history, the Church we know today being shaped heavily by its past as well as our contemporary world. This popular course will explore the history and make-up of the Church of England. At the end of the course you will better understand the unique DNA of the Church of England and its place in the Anglican Communion. It is open to anyone interested, but will be particularly helpful for those exploring their vocation and wanting to understand more of the bigger picture. Saturday 24 November 10am 4pm LUNCH Please bring a packed lunch 20 Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington OX5 1GF Revd Dr Phillip Tovey (Deputy Warden of Readers, Oxford Diocese) Revd Dr Adam Carlill (Vicar, St George and St Mary Magdalen, Tilehurst) 6
Mission and evangelism (Level 4: Introductory) MISSION AND EVANGELISM ARE HIGH ON THE CHURCH S AGENDA. This course explores what these terms actually mean (they re not the same!) and considers some of the many ways in which we can join in with God s work in the world, whether through transformation of culture or environment, running Alpha and Messy Church, or simply sharing our faith with our neighbours. Personal and parishwide strategies will be considered, making this course of interest to anyone wanting to serve God in the world. Those discerning a vocation to ordination may find it helpful preparation for part of the selection process. 1: Whitchurch (Aylesbury) Wednesday evenings September 19, 26 October 3, 10, 17, 31 (not 24) November 7, 14, 21, 28 7.15 9.30pm 40 for ten sessions St John s Hall White Horse Lane Whitchurch Aylesbury HP22 4JZ Revd Andrew Lightbown (Rector, Winslow Benefice) 7
Mission and evangelism (Level 4: Introductory) MISSION AND EVANGELISM ARE HIGH ON THE CHURCH S AGENDA. This course explores what these terms actually mean (they re not the same!) and considers some of the many ways in which we can join in with God s work in the world, whether through transformation of culture or environment, running Alpha and Messy Church, or simply sharing our faith with our neighbours. Personal and parishwide strategies will be considered, making this course of interest to anyone wanting to serve God in the world. Those discerning a vocation to ordination may find it helpful preparation for part of the selection process. Venue 2: Kidlington Wednesday evenings September 19, 26 October 3, 10, 17, 31 (not 24) November 7, 14, 21, 28 7.15 9.30pm 40 for ten sessions Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington OX5 1GF Revd Dr Phil Cooke (Local Ministry Programme Leader, Diocese of Oxford) Revd Rachel Cross (Team Vicar, Thame Team) Revd Mike Saunders (Vicar, Hungerford with Denford) 8
Mission and evangelism (Level 4: Introductory) MISSION AND EVANGELISM ARE HIGH ON THE CHURCH S AGENDA. This course explores what these terms actually mean (they re not the same!) and considers some of the many ways in which we can join in with God s work in the world, whether through transformation of culture or environment, running Alpha and Messy Church, or simply sharing our faith with our neighbours. Personal and parishwide strategies will be considered, making this course of interest to anyone wanting to serve God in the world. Those discerning a vocation to ordination may find it helpful preparation for part of the selection process. Venue 3: Reading (Earley) Wednesday evenings September 19, 26 October 3, 10, 17, 31 (not 24) November 7, 14, 21, 28 7.15 9.30pm 40 for ten sessions Winch Room St Peter s Church Hall Church Road, Earley Reading RG6 1EY Note: This venue is on the first floor, accessed by stairs. Revd Patrick Mukholi (Interim Minister, St Paul s Wokingham) Revds Philip and Hannah Hobday (Vicars, St Peter s, Earley) 9
Topics in Christian doctrine (Level 5: Intermediate) EVER WONDER HOW WE KNOW THERE IS A GOD AT ALL? Or consider why we say in the creeds that Jesus is God from God? If so, or if you just want to reflect more deeply about your faith, then this course is for you. We will cover a number of core doctrines during this course, which will build on what is taught in the Level 4 History and Doctrine courses. All welcome, but please be aware that tutors will assume some level of prior understanding. S Monday evenings October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November 5, 12, 19, 26 December 3 7.15 9.30pm 40 for ten sessions St Andrew s Church Linton Road Oxford OX2 6UG Revd Andrew Allen (Chaplain and Fellow, Exeter College, Oxford) Revd Tim Howles (Curate, St Andrew s, Headington) 10
Looking ahead: spring and summer courses Evening Courses Spring Term (January March 2019) Introduction to the Bible (Introductory) Bucks, Oxford and Reading (10 weeks) New Testament Studies (Intermediate) Oxford (10 weeks) Summer Term (April July 2019) Introduction to Pastoral Care (Introductory) Bucks, Oxford and Reading (10 weeks) Old Testament in Context (Intermediate) Oxford (10 weeks) Saturday courses An ongoing programme of day courses designed to equip for effective ministry, including: Introducing Communion by Extension Starting out in preaching Thinking theologically Introducing the Church of England Living liturgy Leading intercessions All-Age worship Ministry among older people Mission and discipleship Healing ministry Funeral ministry Taking Home Communion 11