DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Nothing stands still. In Cumbria’s Methodist churches and groups, God calls people to fill roles which are new to them, and leads us in new directions. The district has a Training and Development Officer (TDO for short!) whose job is to try to make sure that people feel well prepared for and supported in the work they do for the Church. Following Jesus should be highly enjoyable, as well as occasionally feeling like hard work. Methodists have an important place in the communities in which they live, and we have so much to offer.

Cumbria’s TDO is Rev David Edmondson, who took up the post at the beginning of 2004 after previously working as a school teacher, then for many years as a social worker. He is also a circuit minister in the South West Cumbria Circuit, looking after the churches on Walney Island and Millom and helping with the circuit’s youth fellowship. He’s very willing to travel anywhere in the district, and quite happy to be invited to lead worship as well as organise training events. If you feel he can help your group, church or circuit, he can be contacted on 01229 474601 or at tdo@cumbriamethodists.org.uk

In September 2005, together with the Anglican Church, our district launched the “Called to Serve” course. This is a major course for people who wish to explore their sense of vocation, looking at their discipleship in the context of the life of the church and the wider community. The course runs over a year, with a total of 18 evening sessions and 3 day conferences.

The “Called to Serve” course is now in its third year. There will be another opportunity for people to begin the course next September.

This year two themes are being presented around the district. “Into Life” aims at helping circuits to identify a “pathway” along which people can travel from first becoming interested in the Church, through the point at which they make a commitment to Christ, on to the enjoyment of life “in all its fullness” (John 10:10) within the Church. The basic programme is a two hour session, introducing the subject, inviting the group to consider 3 examples of people seeking to deepen their experience of learning from Jesus, and suggesting some of the possible resources and ways forward that churches and circuits might wish to recommend.

“Thinking about Children” is another two-hour session, aimed particularly at congregation members who do not usually lead children’s activities, making the point that everyone has an important part to play in making our churches safe places for children (and other vulnerable people) and the people who work with them. Devised and recommended by the District’s safeguarding team, it is important that as many people as possible are able to come to this session, where there will also be the opportunity to ask questions. It is several years since an introductory session dealing with this vital subject toured the district, and things have moved on since then.

It would be wonderful if every circuit hosted these two programmes (either can be expanded into a day if preferred) during 2007. Please do encourage your circuit to invite us – or pick up the phone yourself and ring the above number!

We are trying to establish a network of people interested in training throughout the District - please contact David Edmondson if you feel you can play a part (or even if you know someone who you think would be interested).

BEING A CHRISTIAN – HAVING A VOCATION?

In October, The Methodist Training Forum of the North West is planning to hold the second of two meetings about “Being a Christian – Having a Vocation?”

The first meeting, held at Leyland Methodist Church on April 12th, was intended primarily for those offering for ordained ministry, or seriously thinking about offering. The second is at Luther King House Manchester, a residential conference, commencing mid-morning on Saturday October 4th. and ending with lunch on Sunday October 5th. This will have a wider focus than the first and is for anyone in the church interested in thinking further about discipleship and vocation. More details later but book the date!

RAINBOW ROUNDABOUT

The Furness Pastorate of the URC together with the SW Cumbria Circuit, partly inspired by our friends in Gosport, organised a carousel-style event for primary schools in Barrow and Dalton. The workshop accommodated a class of younger junior school (Sorry – “Key Stage 2”) children for half a day (allowing six classes to visit over three successive days) with the children divided into small groups (5 or 6 to a group) visiting a succession of activities illustrating issues of global significance. The event was highly successful, and glowing feedback was received from the schools who visited. The materials were packed up, and are available for loan if any circuit would like to borrow them to present the workshop in other areas. It has already been taken successfully to Windermere. Ideally, it takes a team of twelve adults to run it, two for each of six activities. If you would like to know more, please contact Rev Janet Calderley (01229 828429) or Rev Ann Hufton (01229 464774).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING IN CUMBRIA

A number of courses are available in the Cumbria district. These are delivered by a team of people, mainly from within the district. You can find full details here.

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR TRAINING LEAFLET?

In 2006, copies of our training leaflet were circulated. If you have not seen it yet, you can find images here.