weekends

What does it mean to be a Christian, to be church, and to be missional in a multicultural context and how does creation care fit with our theology of mission? This weekend will look at mission and evangelism which takes these questions seriously.    Southall is one of the most multiethnic and multifaith environments in the UK.  Local Christians sometimes say: “If you want to know what heaven is like, come to Southall” - a crowd from every race, nation, language and culture worshipping together (Rev. 7.9).  The weekend will offer opportunities to encounter both people from other faiths and Christians from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds.   In addition, Southall is home to A Rocha UK, the leading Christian environmental charity, which has its first and largest UK project locally, challenging us to consider the ‘first great commission’ as the Genesis command to rule over and look after creation to God’s glory.

Hosted by Dave Bookless (A Rocha), Christopher Ramsay (St George's) & Mark Poulson (St John's)

A weekend to explore the new shapes of church emerging in our changing culture. St Laurence's, a city centre church in Reading had shrunk in size to half a dozen people. Several years later it now has a thriving young congregation with a sole focus on sharing Jesus and creating Christian community with young people in the city of Reading who are outside of church. It's been quite a journey. This weekend will be a chance to hear the story of that journey with a mix of food, conversation, story telling, exploring the theology and mission instincts behind the approach. There will also be a chance to join with St Laurence in worship. If you are working amongst young people it will be fantastic. If you are working with a different kind of community don't be put off - the insights gained will spark your imagination for your own context.

Hosted by Jonny Baker (CMS) & Chris Russell (St Laurence's)

A weekend to explore the diversity found across new forms of church.  Starting a church with a team of thirty can be a very different experience to starting from scratch with one or two others.  This weekend tells the stories of a few churches and mission projects in Sheffield which together show how diverse both the process of starting out and sustaining what grows can be.  You’ll have the opportunity to visit some of these, hear the stories and together reflect on their theology and practice.  They’ll also be additional input from leading researchers in the field able to give a national perspective.

Hosted by Bob and Mary Hopkins (ACPI) & Beth Keith (The Sheffield Centre)

The gospel has as much to say about transforming places and communities as it does about personal renewal. Come and hear the story of The Salvation Army Eden project in Fitton Hill who are working in partnership with other service providers and community groups to bring about the regeneration of Fitton Hill.   This is a weekend to explore the role the church can play in community transformation. There will also be the opportunity to hear more about the wider work of Eden, and Salvation Army projects working to support health and faith and learn about Hope Citidel Health Care a community Interest company set up and run by Laura Neilson providing primary health care to some of the more difficult areas of greater Manchester.

Hosted by Chris Neilson (The Salvation Army Eden project in Fitton Hill)