The following courses are currently available:
- “LOST FOR WORDS” A short course to help in talking about God to people you meet, to help people share their faith
- “PRESENCE” Explores the value of being an effective Christian presence within the local community. 4 or 5 sessions.
- “CALLED TO SERVE” A major ecumenical course for people who wish to grow in discipleship within the church and the world. This course runs over a year, is highly structured, and demands 5 evenings and one full day in each of 3 terms.
- “KNOW AND GROW” A local church review programme to identify strengths and areas for growth, and to plan appropriate action and support. Spread over 6 weeks.
- “PILGRIMS WAY” A fuller church review programme which would involve the whole church, and would involve meeting together over a longer period of time.
- “LEADING WORSHIP” A course of 7 sessions to prepare worship leaders.
- “CORE TRAINING” For people beginning to work with children in a Christian context. The full course is 9 sessions plus 2 workshops.
- “SPECTRUM” An initial training course for people working with young people.
- “DON’T PANIC” A training pack for church stewards. About 6 hours.
- “REFLECTING ON WORSHIP” A short course to help people evaluate worship, and to provide constructive feedback.
- “SAFEGUARDING” A 2 hour introductory session to the subject of safeguarding children within the church. Supplementary sessions on associated topics can also be made available.
- CIRCUIT STEWARDS DAY A day offered once a year for people recently appointed as circuit stewards.
- WORKING WITH ADULTS A course comprising both theoretical and practical work over 6-12 months, preparing people willing to help deliver our district training programme.
Training for local preachers, and foundation training for people considering a call to ministry, are delivered locally but organised at connexional level.
The courses listed above are regularly available. They are delivered by a team of people, mainly from within the district. There is a growing degree of co-operation with other churches in providing learning opportunities - particularly with the Anglican and United Reformed Churches.
Single sessions can be arranged on almost any topic where a group of people feel that a little support might be helpful.
Some examples of possible areas might be:
- Disability Awareness
- Racial Awareness
- Pastoral Visiting
- Being a Treasurer
- Employing Workers
- Bible Study
- Practical Theology
- Dealing with the Media
- Methodism beyond Cumbria
- Being a Christian Grandparent
- Relationships
- Other faiths
Sessions can usually be delivered at a venue close to home, but may take a little time to organise.
Our programme is co-ordinated by David Edmondson, the Cumbria district’s training and development officer.
Please contact him with any enquiries or requests, by any of the following methods:
Tel: 01229 474601
Email: edmo@twtw.freeserve.co.uk
Address: 22 Tweed Rise, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 3LX