Events
Professor Deirdre Good
This Thursday (31 May) there is a unique chance to engage with Professor Deirdre Good about why the church may be overlooking Jesus and the Gospel message of inclusive community in its quest for 'family values'.
The event, sponsored by Ekklesia, and chaired by Fr Kevin Scully, will take place at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace - a couple of minutes' walk away from Liverpool Street Station, from 11 AM
- Midday. Refreshments, and interviews afterwards. Full details here: Ekklesia
Dr Good is Professor of New Testament at General Seminary in New York, USA. Her new book Jesus' Family Values is available now. It argues that Jesus replaced his family of origin with differently configured communities and households.
Alan Kreider and Eleanor Kreider
How do Anabaptists pray? Recent research has explored the profound spirituality of the early Anabaptists. They had ways of singing and praying that were distinctive, and that used the Bible in surprising and creative ways. Christians today are appropriating these ancient Anabaptist practices as they sing and pray. This seminar will explore historic and contemporary Anabaptist song and prayer and will practice them together.
Bridge Builders Team
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. The Skills Training Course for Mediation and Facilitation in the Church is designed to equip Christians with practical skills for responding constructively to conflict. This five-day course explores conflict within us, between individuals and within the congregation. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to develop understanding of conflict and to teach methods to facilitate resolution and transformation of conflicts, particularly through mediation. Although focussed primarily on the church setting, the skills learned are transferable to other areas of life.
Bridge Builders has offered many successful mediation skills training courses since 1996. Increasingly people who have attended the courses and been involved in our Mediators’ Network have asked for follow-up training to equip them to work with congregations. This week of advanced training is a response to that demand.
Corruption has become a topic of increasing conversation and debate in recent years. Stories about it range from domestic political scandals such as ‘loans for honours’ and the decision to call off investigations into some of the alleged bribery by BAe Systems, to international concerns about the effectiveness of international development aid and nepotism at the World Bank.
This conference gives an opportunity to hear from senior representatives of some of the main denominations in England on their vision for the use of mediation in the church, what progress has been made over the last 10 years, and on future steps being planned. Participants are welcome from all the churches in England and beyond, with a broad range and rich mix anticipated.
Responding to a frequent request, we are pleased to offer a special day-long workshop on Christian storytelling. The aim of the workshop is to envision people, showing them the many different aspects of storytelling and helping them to see its potential. We would like to release the gifts that God has given each one of us to share God’s story and our own stories. Our hope is that the day will equip and excite people enough to start storytelling or reawaken their gift.
Bridge Builders Team
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. The Skills Training Course for Mediation and Facilitation in the Church is designed to equip Christians with practical skills for responding constructively to conflict. This five-day course explores conflict within us, between individuals and within the congregation. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to develop understanding of conflict and to teach methods to facilitate resolution and transformation of conflicts, particularly through mediation. Although focussed primarily on the church setting, the skills learned are transferable to other areas of life.
Through the medium of photography, this workshop will explore the importance of visual awareness and the meaning of light as an entrée to meditation and reflection.
Of the four evangelists, Matthew offers the most extensive information about the teaching of Jesus, and so his Gospel is the natural source-book for a life of discipleship. Anabaptists, among others, have studied extensively the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Chs. 5-7) and the discourse on community relationships (Ch.18) to find guidance for Christian conduct. From these texts emerge challenging precepts: forgo revenge, love your enemy, forgive without limit, be as little children.
Do you want to be able to share with others some of the new insights about conflict that you have encountered through your training with Bridge Builders? If so, then this is the course you have been waiting for!
Why are fresh expressions of church emerging in Britain and several other western nations? Are these creative missional initiatives incarnating the church into post-modern and post-Christendom culture? Or are they self-indulgent distractions from the task of mission in contemporary culture?
This is a repeat of the well-received seminar run at the London Mennonite Centre in October 2007. It comes out of Colin’s own study of Matthew’s Gospel, looking for ways in which Jesus can be seen as a living demonstration of the way of life that he taught his disciples. Colin says:
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. The Skills Training Course for Mediation and Facilitation in the Church is designed to equip Christians with practical skills for responding constructively to conflict. This five-day course explores conflict within us, between individuals and within the congregation. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to develop understanding of conflict and to teach methods to facilitate resolution and transformation of conflicts, particularly through mediation.
Following up on his popular seminar in the autumn of 2006, in which he introduced us to Islam and Christian-Muslim relations, we are pleased to welcome back Dr. Chris Hewer to help us take a more in-depth look at Islam from a Christian perspective.
Gareth Higgins writes: “Going to the cinema can be a spiritual experience akin to worship, which can inspire and convict as well as any sermon.” Discussing films, and the relation between films and theology, is all very good, but there is something magical, and potentially spiritual, about dimming the lights and watching films together before we move into discussion.
The Church is a community of both guests and hosts, and hospitality is a prominent feature of an Anabaptist-oriented church. Welcoming each other and welcoming the stranger (even the enemy), stretching out hands, opening doors and hearts; doing these things opens our eyes to the needs of people around us (the lonely and alienated living next to us who need shelter, a safe place to be). Hospitality offers challenges and surprises: the Bible tells us that we might even be accommodating angels. Both Martha and Mary (Luke 10) are needed to host Jesus.
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christian leaders often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. The Skills Training Course for Mediation and Facilitation for Senior Church Leaders is designed to equip leaders with practical skills for responding constructively to conflict. This acclaimed five-day course explores conflict within us, between individuals and within the church.
In the revolutionary atmosphere just before the outbreak of the First Jewish-Roman War (a.d. 66-70), one group of Palestinian dissidents opposing oppressive Roman rule gave witness to a pacifist understanding of faith in God. They were pious Jews from the Galilean countryside. Although they opposed Roman domination and the urban Jewish authorities who collaborated with their harsh rulers, their theological and political teaching and lifestyle nevertheless sought an end to the escalation of violence. Their leader was Jesus of Nazarath.
This course in Church Leadership and Family Systems at the London Mennonite Centre is designed to enhance the ability of participants to function as mature leaders within their churches. It will provide a safe forum for processing challenging situations in ministry, while also facilitating reflection on a way of thinking about the human condition which has implications for all aspects of life. Following successful courses since 2005, Bridge Builders is pleased to continue to offer the course in 2008.
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. The Skills Training Course for Mediation and Facilitation in the Church is designed to equip Christians with practical skills for responding constructively to conflict. This five-day course explores conflict within us, between individuals and within the congregation. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to develop understanding of conflict and to teach methods to facilitate resolution and transformation of conflicts, particularly through mediation.
In July 2008 the fourth book in the 'After Christendom' series will be published - Youth Work after Christendom by Nigel & Jo Pimlott.
The Anabaptist Network will be co-sponsoring a launch event with Frontier Youth Trust and the Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry on Tuesday 8 July, hosted by Anthony Collins Solicitors at 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham B3 2ES
What is the responsibility of the international community when a state is unable or unwilling to protect its own people?
Concert in the Garden [click for flier]
Featuring:
Jonathan Crissman on Classical Guitar
and
Soprano Rehanna Kheshgi, performing Hindustani classical music with Amardeep Seyan on tabla
£10 donation*, proceeds to benefit the London Mennonite Centre
Bring a blanket or small chair, as the concert will take place outdoors, weather permitting.
*includes refreshments
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. The Skills Training Course for Mediation and Facilitation in the Church is designed to equip Christians with practical skills for responding constructively to conflict. This five-day course explores conflict within us, between individuals and within the congregation. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to develop understanding of conflict and to teach methods to facilitate resolution and transformation of conflicts, particularly through mediation.
Sixty years after the creation of the state of Israel, tensions in the Holy Land continue to capture the attention of the world, and continue to divide people of all faiths across the globe.
Come and spend a day with representatives from three organizations working to reduce violence in the region: Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine Israel (EAPPI), and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
Urban Expression and the Incarnate Network invite you to join them for a day conference with Michael Frost to explore the implications of incarnational mission.
The London Mennonite Centre has had a long, close relationship with Workshop, a programme which has changed the lives of many people associated with the Centre. It is our very special privilege this year to offer those of you who have not yet experienced Workshop a day of discovery you will not want to miss (and for those of you who have already experienced Workshop, this is an opportunity to rediscover what you loved the first time around).
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. Transforming Church Conflict: A Foundation Course for Leaders is a new training course intended for those in leadership positions in the church, and also for other Christians who want to deal better with conflict.
Attend this training course if you want to:
• Develop new skills for handling conflict
• Give time to personal growth as part of a worshipping community
• Be part of a movement that is changing the culture of the church
During the past decade, we have heard much about the ecological crisis facing our planet and how we, as Christians, need to take action. But what kinds of actions should we and our churches be taking? How do we get going on environmental issues?
Do you want to be able to share with others some of the new insights about conflict that you have encountered through your training with Bridge Builders? If so, then this is the course you have been waiting for!
Under the influence of civic religion, concerns such as peacemaking have usually been considered ‘optional extras’ for Christians - matters best sidelined into a special arena labelled ‘ethics’, where pacifists clash and those who think violence is necessary continue to disagree.
We warmly invite you to our leaf raking and open house at the LMC.
A special treat for us will be a few songs being sung by West End star Jonny Amobi!
15:00 Sunday Worship
The Wood Green Mennonite Church welcomes you
to worship with us at Westbury Avenue Baptist Church in Wood Green. Nearest tube: Turnpike Lane on the Piccadilly Line
Peacemaking is an inherent part of the Christian life. Gene Stoltzfus was involved in the founding of Christian Peacemaker Teams and was the director for 16 years until his retirement. Peacemaking as worked out by CPT includes serious training in the arts of nonviolence, negotiations, human rights work, media, and the integration of Christian spirituality on a day to day basis. CPT also works hard at developing team work and appreciates the importance of diversity within team life including gender equality.
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. Transforming Church Conflict: A Foundation Course for Leaders is a new training course intended for those in leadership positions in the church, and also for other Christians who want to deal better with conflict. Attend this training course if you want to:
• Develop new skills for handling conflict
• Give time to personal growth as part of a worshipping community
• Be part of a movement that is changing the culture of the church
Christians in Britain (and across western culture) are facing profound challenges and fresh opportunities. The long era of Christendom is coming to an end. We now live in a plural society, with multiple religious options alongside secular assumptions, in which Christianity has largely lost its position of dominance and privilege. Although we seem to be declining in numbers and influence, this new environment offers many new possibilities - if we have the courage and imagination to grasp them.
Crucible is a training programme for Christians with courage and imagination. It assumes:
The SPEAK Network hosts a warehouse gathering, creating a space to draw out the passion, vision and prophetic voice of our generation. A weekend of exploration of how our Jesus-centred spirituality leads us into radical prayer, creativity and action for justice.
Jesus taught us to be peace-makers, who pray for our enemies. But what does that mean when “the enemy” is someone you constantly rub shoulders with? Hostility from your family, your workmates, or your neighbours, can leave you feeling blocked at every turn - even under siege. Some people can appear totally unreasonable, wearing you down with a persistently negative attitude. It’s hard then not to be sucked into a downward spiral of despair, blame, recrimination or counter-attack.
It sounds so exciting and gritty, moving to the city and exploring how to be church. Working with people from all over the world, with experiences so far removed from our own life experiences. Finding God at work amongst the tower blocks, seeing people discover freedom and life. But what are the realities of Church planting in the inner city, what issues are to be faced if we engage fully in Urban Mission?
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. Transforming Church Conflict: A Foundation Course for Senior Church Leaders is a new training course for those in positions of oversight in the church. Attend this training course if you want to:
• Develop new skills for handling conflict
• Give time to personal growth as part of a worshipping community
• Be part of a movement that is changing the culture of the church
• Help put the church’s energy to more creative use
The SPEAK Network hosts a warehouse gathering, creating a space to draw out the passion, vision and prophetic voice of our generation. A weekend of exploration of how our Jesus-centred spirituality leads us into radical prayer, creativity and action for justice.
Gareth Higgins writes: “Going to the cinema can be a spiritual experience akin to worship, which can inspire and convict as well as any sermon.” Discussing films, and the relation between films and theology, is all very good, but there is something magical, and potentially spiritual, about dimming the lights and watching films together before we move into discussion.
As Anabaptists we believe that God has created a wonderful world and that it is up to us to respect it and care for it. One practical way we can do this on a personal level is to consider how and where we obtain the foods that we eat.
Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. Transforming Church Conflict: A Foundation Course for Leaders is a new training course intended for those in leadership positions in the church, and also for other Christians who want to deal better with conflict.
Attend this training course if you want to:
• Develop new skills for handling conflict
• Give time to personal growth as part of a worshipping community
• Be part of a movement that is changing the culture of the church
Mission Statement
Upcoming events
- Mennonite Church Worship on Sunday, 11 Jan 2009
- A Peacemaking Vision: Risks and Realities in a Post-Christian Context on Saturday, 24 Jan 2009
- Transforming Church Conflict: A Foundation Course for Leaders on Sunday, 08 Feb 2009
- Crucible Course: The urban challenge on Saturday, 21 Feb 2009
- SPEAK: Soundcheck 09 - Response:Ability on Friday, 27 Feb 2009
- Dealing with Difficult Behaviour on Saturday, 28 Feb 2009
Mailings from the LMC
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The London Mennonite Centre is a Registered Charity, number 227410
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