Equipping for life Learning for Discipleship and Ministry Courses for January March 2018 Welcome Study skills, Moodle and Getting to Grips with Online Assessment Introduction to Funeral Ministry (Part 2: Funerals and the Bereaved) Introducing Communion by Extension Introducing Ignatian Spirituality Church History and Doctrine (Level 4: Introductory) New Testament Studies (Level 5: Intermediate) Coming Soon 2 3 4 5 6 s 4 7-9 10 11
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 simply 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 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? Go to 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. Advisable for new ordinands and LLMs in training, as well as existing students wanting to get to grips more with Moodle. Come for all or half of the day. Date Saturday 20 January Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington OX5 1GF 10am 4pm Bring a packed lunch Anne Taylor (LLM Training Team); Revd Dr Phil Cooke (Local Ministry Training Director, Oxford Diocese) Cost 20 Book 3
Introduction to Funeral Ministry Part 2: Funerals and the Bereaved A morning to reflect creatively about theological, liturgical and pastoral aspects of funeral ministry, as well as care of the bereaved in relation to funeral services. This course will cover a range of issues and challenges encountered in funeral ministry. It will be of interest to experienced funeral officiants (clergy, lay or civil) as well as anyone just starting to take funerals or wanting to think a little further about exploring this ministry. This course may be taken as a stand-alone morning, or as a follow-on from part 1 (Death, Dying and Loss). Both elements are compulsory for anyone working towards authorized Funeral Ministry within the Diocese of Oxford. Date Saturday 27 January 9.30am 12.30pm Fitzwilliam Centre Windsor End Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Revd Charles Chadwick Parish Development Adviser; Revd Dr Jeremy Brooks Team Rector, Beaconsfield Cost 15 Book 4
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 and authorised to lead services of Communion by Extension. Date Saturday 24 February St Andrew s Church Orchard Road Dean Court Oxford OX2 9BH 10am 4pm Bring a packed lunch. Tutor Revd Chris Leslie Team Curate, Loddon Reach Benefice Cost 20 Book 5
Introducing Ignatian Spirituality A day to explore the many riches of Ignatian spirituality. Who was St Ignatius of Loyola? What can we learn from this tradition? Why do so many people today still benefit from the spiritual exercises for which Ignatius has become so well known? Discover and experience spiritual practices that have been found to deepen the life of prayer and enrich our understanding of God. Please note: this course will be limited to 20 places. Date Saturday 3 March Douai Abbey (Conference Room 2) Upper Woolhampton RG7 5TQ 10am 4pm Tutor Sue Sheppy (Spiritual Direction Network) Cost 25 (including lunch) Book 6
Church History and Doctrine Level 4: Introductory 1 WENDOVER Wednesdays This course offers a broad overview of the history of the Church, exploring a selection of key doctrinal developments along the way. It will encourage us to relate our own contemporary Christian practice to that history, and show how the Church has responded to surrounding culture throughout its existence. Early, Mediaeval, Reformation and Modern periods will all be covered during the course, which aims to excite a passion for historical and doctrinal thinking. Dates January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 21, 28 (not 14), March 7, 14, 21 7.15 9.30pm Wendover Christian Centre Aylesbury Road Wendover, HP22 6JG Revd Canon Peter Ballantine (formerly Training Officer, Milton Keynes Deanery); Karen Walters (St Michael and All Angels, Aston Clinton) Cost Cost 40 for ten sessions Book Book 7
Church History and Doctrine Level 4: Introductory 2 OXFORD W Wednesdays This course offers a broad overview of the history of the Church, exploring a selection of key doctrinal developments along the way. It will encourage us to relate our own contemporary Christian practice to that history, and show how the Church has responded to surrounding culture throughout its existence. Early, Mediaeval, Reformation and Modern periods will all be covered during the course, which aims to excite a passion for historical and doctrinal thinking. Dates January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 21, 28 (not 14); March 7, 14, 21 7.15 9.30pm Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington OX5 1GF Revd Dr Grant Bayliss (Diocesan Canon Precentor, Christ Church Cathedral); Dr Alison Dight (formerly Exeter College, Oxford) Cost Cost 40 for ten sessions Book Book 8
Church History and Doctrine Level 4: Introductory 3 READING Thursdays This course offers a broad overview of the history of the Church, exploring a selection of key doctrinal developments along the way. It will encourage us to relate our own contemporary Christian practice to that history, and show how the Church has responded to surrounding culture throughout its existence. Early, Mediaeval, Reformation and Modern periods will all be covered during the course, which aims to excite a passion for historical and doctrinal thinking. Dates January 4, 11, 18 (not 25); February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 22 (not 15) 7.15 9.30pm St Nicolas Church Sutcliffe Avenue Earley, Reading, RG6 7JN Revd Mark Laynesmith (Chaplain, Reading University); Revd Philip Hobday (Vicar, St Peter s Earley); Revd James Stickings (Rector, Rotherfield Peppard, Kidmore End & Sonning Common) Cost Cost 40 for ten sessions Book Book 9
New Testament Studies Level 5: Intermediate This course aims to deepen our understanding of the New Testament and will offer focused study on two different books: John s gospel and 1 Corinthians. It is designed for those who have already attended a Level 4 Introduction to the Bible course or similar. It will be of particular interest to LLMs and authorized preachers who have already completed their training, as well as anyone interested in developing their understanding of the New Testament and the responsible use of texts in ministry today. Dates January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 20, 27 (not 13), March 6, 13, 20 Church House Oxford Langford Locks, Kidlington Oxford OX5 1GF 7.15pm - 9.30pm Revd Dr Beren Hartless (Director of Initial Ministerial Training, Oxford Diocese); Revd Derek Spears (formerly St Peter s, Earley) Cost 40 for ten sessions Book 10
Coming Soon Evening Courses Summer Term 2018 (April July) Christian Discipleship (Level 4) Oxford, Berks and Bucks (10 weeks) Old Testament in Context (Intermediate, Level 5) Oxford (10 weeks) Autumn Term 2018 (September December) Mission and Evangelism (Level 4) Oxford, Berks and Bucks (10 weeks) Topics in Christian Doctrine (Intermediate, Level 5) (10 weeks) Saturday courses Healing ministry Saturday 28 April 2018 Further courses yet to be confirmed, drawn from an ongoing programme of occasional day courses designed to equip for effective ministry, including: (re)discovering the Bible Thinking Theologically an introduction Introducing the Church of England Starting out in Preaching Music in Worship Living Liturgy Lay Ministry an introduction Leading Intercessions Planning and Leading All-age Worship Working with Older People Funeral ministry Offers of venues and suggested topics always welcome. 11