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.

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