Parish courses and spirituality
Short courses We also have other dedicated pages on the website to help people on their personal journey of faith: Deepening your relationship with God Short CoursesDiocesan short courses provide a way to develop discipleship through intentional learning which draw on theory and practice applied in a local context. Some courses are a route to exercising a specific local ministry as part of a church ministry team. The aim of these Short Courses is to enable Christians together, to deepen their understanding and experience of the Christian faith, in order that they are better equipped to live out that faith in their varied contexts: to be disciples growing in confidence and reliance on God. To book courses, please contact Ethlyn Roy, Formation and Ministry Team Administrator on: ethlyn.roy@rochester.anglican.org Parish-led coursesThe following courses can be purchased (£15 per course) from the Diocese and then run by the Parish/ Deanery themselves in their own location. View the short courses available below Caring Concerns
Duration: 2 Saturdays or 5 evenings What does the course cover? Caring Concerns is an introductory course that covers areas of pastoral ministry:
Hearing God's word
Duration: 2 Saturdays or 6 evenings What does the course cover? Hearing God’s Word is an introductory course covering areas of:
Follow-on Course: Speaking God’s Word
(must first have completed Hearing God’s Word) What does the course cover?
People who have completed both Hearing God’s Word and Speaking God’s Word and the assessment in Speaking God’s Word may be given permission from Bishop James to give talks on an occasional basis within their own parish context under the oversight of their incumbent or priest-in-charge. Those wishing to gain this ‘permission’ must attend all sessions of both courses and satisfactorily complete the assessment which involves:
Caring for God's Creation
Duration: 8 sessions What does the course cover? This short course runs over eight sessions, six study sessions, and two sessions of Nature Lectio Davina. There is no prescribed timescale so you could do it over eight weeks or eight months, whatever suits your group best. The idea is not to rush, but to give time following each session for people to implement new ideas so they become habits of creation care. The course content includes bible study, discussion points, and practical activities. It can be run for the whole church or across a deanery/group of churches. It is possible for people to receive a certificate having completed the sessions and adopted a new habit of creation care. This habit may be individual or something the group/church or deanery decide to adopt.
Tutor-led coursesThe following courses are delivered by those with appropriate experience and run in various locations around the Diocese - the Diocese arranges the venues and leaders and invites participants to come along. Local assistance with refreshments/logistics/ pastoral support is requested where needed (£15 per course) Introduction to Healing and Wholeness
Duration: 2 Saturdays By the end of the course, participants will have had the opportunity to develop their skills of listening and reflecting, explored the concept of wholeness, gained experience in prayer ministry, reflected on healing in the bible, and have discerned whether this ministry is for them at this time. Needs incumbent approval. A minimum number of 10 attendees are required for this course to take place. Participants must be able to attend on both days. The cost for the two days is £30. To book contact Ethlyn Roy-Johnson (01634 560000) or email: training@rochester.anglican.org Follow on day courses: (after completing Introduction to Healing and Wholeness)
The Prayer PackDeveloped by the Diocesan Spirituality Network, the Prayer Pack offers twelve different ways of praying in the pack, each one explained in a single leaflet that outlines the simple steps to help people get underway. Packs can be ‘personalised’, and tailored to your own needs, and/or the needs of a group you lead. If a parish is interested in using the prayer pack, they are encouraged to choose the leaflets they feel are most appropriate for their church community and plan a day or an evening (1 ½ hour) to introduce each way of praying:
The pack also includes a ‘Review of prayer’ leaflet that aims to encourage further spiritual growth through reflection after the prayer experience. Find out more on our dedicated Prayer Pack page or contact Susanne Carlsson, Spirituality Coordinator
Spirituality, Quiet Days and RetreatsThe Spirituality Network in Rochester Diocese provides shorter courses in spirituality, such as quiet days, retreats, and spiritual accompaniment. If you are interested, please look at our dedicated pages on: Quiet Days and Retreats You can also contact Susanne Carlsson, Spirituality Coordinator on: susanne.carlsson@rochester.anglican.org Diocesan Fellowship of Pray-ersThe Pray-ers are a network of people committed to a regular time of prayer each day for their Parish, Deanery and Diocese, from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on their circumstances. Many pray through the requests in the Praying the Way while some deaneries have their own Pray-ers’ newsletter. Find out more on our dedicated Pray-ers page
Key Contacts
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