Event Description: | St Peter’s & The Parkstone United Reformed Church Autumn Programme 2008 In last year’s autumn and this year’s Lent programmes, several members said they would like to develop and strengthen their faith by taking part in groups to study and reflect together on ‘Prayer’, ‘Biblical Studies’ and ‘Issues of Faith’. This autumn, in conjunction with other churches in Poole, we propose to offer a range of opportunities for exploration into prayer, Bible study, reflection and discussion on faith related issues. On Sunday, 31st August, there will be a Programme “Fair” in which you will be invited to find out more about and sign up to one or more of the following opportunities: 1. “The Book of Genesis” - Alistair McGowan, Archdeacon of Dorset, will lead three evening Bible Study sessions on Genesis. These sessions will be held on Mondays, 6th & 20th October and 10th November from 7.30 to 9 p.m., with teaching from Alistair and opportunities for questions and discussion.. Details of the place will be given at the Programme Fair on 31st August. (Group size 8 -12). Further information from Michael Beesley (773471) 2. “What is the point of being a Christian?” - Nigel LLoyd, will lead a group in reading and discussing this book by Timothy Radcliff. He was head of the worldwide “Order of Preachers” and is working with a Salisbury Diocesan group to produce the Diocesan Lent Course for 2009. There will be six sessions at the Rectory on Wednesdays, 24th September, 1st & 22nd October, 12th & 26th November and 10th December. Each one will run from 7.30 – 9.00 p.m. and look at two chapters. Members wishing to take part will need to buy and read the chapters before each meeting. Price: £10.50, including discount. (Group size 12) Further information from Nigel LLoyd (748860) 3. “The Story of The Church” - Mike Oates, from the Salisbury Diocese, is running a 10 Session course on “The history of Christianity from early times to the present day”, on Wednesday evenings at Parkstone Christian Centre, beginning on 17th September. This course will cost about £3.00 per session and can lead to accreditation for The Bishop’s Award in Christian Discipleship. (Group size 20 maximum) Further information from Edna Dickinson (742252) 4. “The Environment” - Three sessions on Tuesday afternoons: 16th, 23rd & 30th September, providing an inter-faith opportunity to think about the environment, with Buddhist, Jewish and Baha’i speakers. Details of time & place will be given at the Programme Fair on 31st August. (Group size 20 maximum) Further information from Caroline Wehlau (380667) 5. “Faith & Work” – a course led by David Wrighton and Adrian Thomas to think about issues and issues which arise when we want to relate our Christian faith to our place of work and our working life. There will be six sessions on Thursday evenings: 23rd & 30th October and 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th November. Details of the time and place will be given at the Programme Fair on 31st August. (Group size 6-12) Further information from Belinda Marflitt (736931) 6. “The Lunch Bite” at Parkstone United Reformed Church - Jonathan Martin will lead 10 reflections, from 1.00-1.30 p.m. with a prayer, a hymn and a sermon on “Joy, A Study of Philippians”, on Wednesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th September, 1st October, 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th November and 3rd December. Further information from Jonathan Martin (748566) 7. “Helping Communities Happen” – Are you interested in “Helping Communities Happen” here in Parkstone? Are you looking for a different, more interactive style of Bible Study, rather than an exposition? If so, come and join Alison Dalton, Church Related Community Worker linked to the Parkstone United Reformed Church, and Barbara Christopher for six Thursday afternoons from 2.30-4.30 p.m., at the United Reformed Church, beginning on 9th October (Group size 8-10) Further information from Barbara Christopher 743702) 8. “Ways of Praying” - Pat Southgate & Michael Beesley will run six Tuesday evenings (7.30 - 9 p.m.) and Wednesday afternoons (2.30 - 4 p.m.), beginning 23rd/24th September in in St Peter’s Church to think about and try out ways of praying with 1. “Silence, Awareness & Mindfulness”, 2. “Music”, 3. “Scripture & Imagination”, 4. “Writing”, 5. “Movement” and 6. “Art”. Group size 10 -12) Further information from Michael Beesley (773471) We hope that as many of you as possible from St Peter’s and The Parkstone United Reformed Church will choose to take part in at least one of these events. This range of opportunities is being made available by working with other churches in Poole. We hope our studies and reflections in these groups will be broadened and enriched by meeting with members of other churches. Obviously, places will be limited in each group and we strongly advise you to sign up as soon as possible, on or after 31st August, for the course(s) you choose, so that you are not disappointed later to find that all the places have been taken. We are grateful to Jonathan Martin for liaising with other churches so that we can take part in the courses they are arranging. The Education Strategy Group: Andrew Rickett, (Chairman), Michael Beesley, Barbara Christopher, Edna Dickinson, Jane Jones, Belinda Marflitt, Jonathan Martin, Sue Tibbs & Caroline Wehlau. | Event location: | St Peter's Church, Church Road, Parkstone, BH14 0NN |
Contact: | Mr |
Email: | st-peters-park@btconnect.com |