Readers Study Programme final

Birthing the Future Church READ ER ST UDY MOR NING Saturday 6 October 2018 Cover image: ‘Windsock Visitation’ by Br. ...

2 downloads 153 Views 1MB Size
Birthing the Future Church READ ER ST UDY MOR NING

Saturday 6 October 2018

Cover image: ‘Windsock Visitation’ by Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS 2

Welcome to our study day It is good that we can come to together today for study, reflection and to celebrate Reader ministry, not least welcoming as we do so new colleagues, some to be licensed, others transferring from other dioceses. I have enjoyed my first year or so as Archdeaconry Warden of Readers for Taunton. Receiving and reading the Reader Returns in the early part of this year showed me what a great range of ministries that our Readers offer to the life of our Diocese. It is also a huge privilege to share in the discernment process when somebody senses a call to serve God in this particular role. We pray especially today for Sue McKen and Richard Wheller as they begin their new ministry. Our speaker, Tina Hodgett, will be picking up on the theme of birth, not only in the call of the individual Christian but in the life of the Church as a whole. If you have been part of a household where there is a new baby you will know the immense joys and challenges that come in equal measure, and that sense that the whole experience is one of careful and loving creation as we ask ourselves, “What will this child become…?” As we hear Tina address us this morning we may want to ask ourselves, “What is God bringing to birth in my context today, and how might I join in?” I am grateful for the help of Charles Sparey and Elizabeth Harper who helped me put today together, and to our many colleagues that have helped with both our worship here and in the Cathedral and the many practical arrangements needed so that everything can run smoothly. Robin Lodge Taunton Archdeaconry Warden of Readers

3

Morning worship O God make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust. Blessed are you, Sovereign God, gentle and merciful: To you be glory and praise for ever! Your Spirit breathed over the chaos; And now renews the face of the earth. When we turned to darkness and chaos, Like a mother you would not forsake us. You cried out like a woman in labour and rejoiced to bring forth a new people. In Christ you delivered us from darkness to the gentle rule of your love. Blessed be God for ever. Hymn: O Breath of life, come sweeping through us, revive your church with life and power. O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us; and fit your church to meet this hour. O Breath of love, come breathe within us, renewing thought and will and heart. Come, love of Christ, afresh to win us; Revive your church in every part. O Wind of God, come bend us, break us, till humbly we confess our need. Then in your tenderness remake us; revive, restore, for this we plead. Revive us, Lord; is zeal abating While harvest fields are vast and white? 4

Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting – Equip thy Church to spread the light. Elizabeth Ann Porter Head (1860-1936) Tune: Spiritus Vitae

OT Reading: 1 Samuel 2,1-10 NT Reading: Luke 1.26-38 Silence for Reflection Prayers of Intercession Collect for Vocations Almighty God, who called your church to witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself, help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. 5

All for Jesus! All for Jesus! This our song shall ever be: you our only hope, our Saviour, yours the love that sets us free! All for Jesus: you will give us strength to serve you hour by hour; none can move us from your presence while we trust your grace and power. All for Jesus, all for Jesus, all our talents and our powers, all our thoughts and words and actions, all our passing days and hours. All for Jesus, all for Jesus! This the Church's song shall be till at last her children gather, one in him eternally. W.J.Sparrow-Simpson (1859-1952)

Jesus, Lord of time, hold us in your eternity. Jesus, image of God, travel with us the life of faith. Jesus, friend of sinners, heal the brokenness of our world. Jesus, Lord of tomorrow. draw us into your future. Amen. So let us bless the Lord! Thanks be to God.

6

Programme of Reader study morning 9.30

Coffee

10.00

Welcome & Worship

10.15

Birthing the Future church

11.45

News and Introductions

12.15

Lunch

13.00

Depart for Cathedral



Pregnancy is a life-transforming experience for most women. Labour demands everything they have. Being present at the birth of a child regularly moves men to tears and gives them a new sense of purpose. What can we - those who have had children and those who have watched from a distance - learn from the world of pregnancy, labour and birth as we think about birthing the church of the future? What is our role in the birthing process as Readers and leaders of the existing church?



Revd Tina Hodgett Evangelism and Pioneer Team Leader 7

About our speaker Tina is a linguist and teacher by background with a degree in German and Russian and 15 years of experience in secondary education, leadership and consultancy. Having studied in Cambridge she is possibly a spy, but you will never know! She is a starter by nature and is happiest exploring, experimenting and creating a playful newness in the world. Tina is an occasional speaker and writer on pioneer ministry and believes in the power of metaphor to convey ideas and enable exploratory conversations. She teaches Missional Ecclesiology on the Church Mission Society Pioneer Leadership course and is the Evangelism and Pioneer Team Leader for the Diocese of Bath and Wells. For further reflection Books: How to pioneer (even if you haven’t a clue) The McDonaldization of the Church Church in Life: Innovation, Mission and Ecclesiology Reproducing Churches Websites: www.cofepioneer.org www.freshexpressions.org www.pioneer.churchmissionsociety.org

8

Dave Male John Drane Michael Moynagh George Lings

Reader’s service Existing Readers, are invited to robe in the Lady Chapel at the far end by 1.30 p.m. Those who wish to process should be robed and in pairs by 1.40pm ready to leave at 1.50pm. If you do not wish to process then make your way to the South Nave for 1.50pm. Reader Council sit separately and should form pairs together. Candidates and Readers to be welcomed robe in the Education Room at 1.15pm. Ask at the Welcome desk for directions. Please go to the front of the lunch queue and leave by 12.45pm. In the service, the existing Readers will rededicate their ministry first, followed by the licencing and then the welcoming of new Readers. At the end of the service those processing will be led by a virger - please follow him. A group photo will be taken so please stay for that. Tea and coffee will then be served in the transept. Please note Cars can be left at the Blue School during the service. Please make sure you have vacated the car park as soon after 5pm as possible.

9

Reader news Reader Statistics Chris Stock has done a marvellous job of collating the statistics from last year's returns for which many thanks. He reports: There are 315 active Readers in the Diocese, preaching almost 80 sermons every Sunday, and involved in the leading of 258 acts of worship every week, across churches, residential homes, crematoria, schools and colleges. We led approximately 1500 study and bible sessions across the year, expounding the Gospel, and explaining it to those who wanted to learn more. Really ‘preaching, teaching, leading worship’ in action. What the Church so often overlooks is that Reader involvement extends from schools and pre-school right through to end of life care, being involved in 712 funerals (often conducted solo, some shared) and interment of ashes, invariably taking on much of the associated pastoral care as well. As Reader ministry morphs from being ‘preaching, teaching, leading worship’ to Readers being ‘enablers of mission, teachers of faith and leaders in church and society’, B&W Readers are already in positions of leadership and influence with a staggering array of interests and activities. Further details of the 2017 Reader Survey are available on the Diocesan website. Last year's Zambia Collection We thank Jane Tompsett and Anne Sear for ensuring that last year's reader Service collection reached Readers in Zambia. £443.59 went to Bishop William in Eastern Zambia to print 3 service and hymn books in the local languages. The three books cost £5 so we were able to help over 80 Readers.

10

Bishop William Mchombo wrote on 14th December:

Dear Anne, Many thanks for this email and for the donation. The lay readers are a major human resource in our Diocese. There are 17 parishes and sub parishes with an average of 10 congregations in each parish/sub parish against 6 priests. And as bishop I also run a parish which is not effective as I need to carry out other pastoral needs at diocesan level. So the over 150 congregations are run by lay readers with pastoral and administrative oversight coming from priests once in a while and I go round the diocese every year. Though this year's visitations that include baptism and confirmation services were aborted after the Episcopal vehicle broke down. We shall endeavour to equip each lay reader at least with a prayer book even as we continue working on publishing other works for the use of both clergy and lay readers. Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to your Readers Group for this generous donation. Kind regards. +William.

11

Reader news Elizabeth Harper writes It’s a joy to come to Bath and Wells and to be licenced as a Reader here. I am an Old Testament-loving, chocoholic kiwi. In 2001 I was licenced as a Reader in Bristol Diocese and my work training Ordinands and Readers has taken me around the country. Now, I am the new Lay Ministries Enabler which includes Director of Reader Training for the Diocese replacing Jennifer Cole who retired last year. I have just had the privilege of accompanying Sue and Richard on their pre-licencing retreat and welcoming six new Readers-in-training at our first session last weekend. As a Reader working in the heart of the Old Deanery I hope you will feel Readers have representation in the diocesan office. It has been really helpful to see your replies to Chris’ Reader survey and to work alongside the Readers Council and Archdeaconry Wardens in looking at how best to follow up the strands. I would love to be invited to visit Deanery fellowships this year and to hear further from you. One of my hopes is to create a useful hub of information on the website, to share resources and stories. Please visit and contribute. Like the church, Reader ministry is changing, in the diocese and nationally. I see this as an opportunity not a threat. Firstly, the Central Reader's Council has identified three priorities for Readers. We are called to be:   

Enablers of Mission Teachers of the Faith Leaders in Church and Society

Ruth Haldane, a Blackburn Reader, has been appointed to help 12

provide CMD resources to further equip in these areas. This looks exciting. Secondly the national Setting God's People Free Report has stressed again that God calls the church to release the gifts of all people to minister in the community and workplace. We are beginning to recognise and commend a growing range of ministries - Worship Assistants, Pastoral Assistants, Pioneers, Evangelists, Chaplains, spiritual directors and…. Readers are in a great position to spearhead the recognition of lay ministries and to be involved in training them - teachers of faith. The Reader service today will challenge us to "encourage the ministries of God's people as the Spirit distributes gifts among us all." As Readers we are blessed with extensive training, and for many of us extensive experience. We have the Bishop's licence to share, alongside the clergy, in leading the Church and reaching God’s world. And we have lay status yet national recognition. These are our corporate gifts and your returns show how much you are offering to God, the church and the community. It’s my privilege to become a Reader in this Diocese and share with you in all you are doing to enable mission, teach the faith and lead by the grace of God. Continuing Reader Development All Readers are encouraged to continue their personal, spiritual and ministerial development and we thank Tina for contributing today. There are plenty of other CMD days in the booklet and online that you are welcome to attend. To book, visit www.bathandwells.org.uk/training or contact Sophie Moore on 01749 685116. Overleaf are other key dates to watch out for this year: 13

Reader news Saturday 9 February with Alison Coulter 9.30am Taunton Archdeaconry St Mary Magdalene, Taunton

Setting God’s People Free in Bath & Wells Each half day is for clergy, readers and lay leaders to come together within their Archdeaconry to learn together. Please do aim to bring a group from your parish/benefice.

Our keynote speakers are Alison Coulter and Dr Nick Monday 11 February Shepherd, authors of the 2017 General Synod report with Dr Nick Shepherd “Setting God’s People Free”. 9.30am Bath Further details will be released shortly and bookings Archdeaconry will be via the website, so please save the date. St John’s, Keynsham 1.30pm Wells Archdeaconry Holy Trinity, Frome

The following two are on Saturdays, particularly for those working: Saturday 23 February

Knowing Yourself; Knowing Others

Whenever we meet another person we create an image Revd Jeremy Young in our mind of what that person is like. We will probably take it for granted that our vision of the other is accurate, at least until she or he does something that INSPIRATION FOR ME contradicts it sufficiently for us to change our opinion. This kind of interaction is what normally happens between people -for both parties are doing the same thing - and it can create misunderstandings, confusion and even conflict in human relationships, between both individuals and groups. In the Church such misunderstandings happen all the time.

Suitable for all 14

Self-knowledge is the key to dealing with such problems or preventing them arising in the first place. This workshop will explore ways in which such selfknowledge can be developed, including how we can become aware of when we are misinterpreting others and learn to see them more accurately. Book by: 15/02/19

Saturday 16 March Elizabeth Harper

Telling THE Old, Old Story - Preaching Biblical Narrative

An opportunity to refresh your preaching and be inspired anew by the biblical narratives of the Old and New Testament. We'll look at how biblical narratives INSPIRATION FOR MINISTRY work and how that can inform and guide our preaching the story. Bring your own biblical story for a practical Suitable for all session. Elizabeth Harper is the Diocesan Lay Ministries Enabler and responsible for overseeing the Diocesan training courses. She is a Kiwi who is passionate about the Old Testament and Ignatian spirituality. Book by 08/03/19

Bath Racecourse Reader Day Details of next year’s biannual Racecourse Day will be released shortly. Watch the website and email for updates. Reader Day 2019 Next year’s Reader Day is scheduled for Saturday 5 October 2019 at the Blue School, Wells, followed by licencing and recommitment at the cathedral. We have invited Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Chair of the Central Reader Council and Bishop of Leicester as guest speaker to give us a national perspective on Reader Ministry.

15

Useful contacts The Ven Simon Hill Diocesan Warden of Readers PA: Julia Gratton E: [email protected] T: 01823 413315

Anne Sear Secretary to the Readers’ Council E: [email protected] T: 01749 838843

Revd Trevor Cranshaw Bath Archdeaconry Warden of Readers E: [email protected] T: 01275 871458

Richard Brown Treasurer to the Readers’ Council E: [email protected] T: 01458 860262

Revd Robin Lodge Taunton Archdeaconry Warden of Readers E: [email protected] T: 01823 352471

Elizabeth Harper Director of Reader Training E: [email protected] T: 01749 670777

Revd David Weir Taunton Archdeaconry Assistant Warden of Readers E: [email protected] T: 01643 831330 Revd Graham Witts Wells Archdeaconry Warden of Readers E: [email protected] T: 01278 782991

16