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Learning Opportunities from the URC

Dear friends,

Learning Opportunities for elders and others – three important courses

• TLS LITE – Theology
• TLS LITE – Valuing Community Experiences
• TLS LITE – Getting to grips with the Bible

Following discussions with the Moderator and a number of ministers, I have felt it important to offer to lay people, particularly elders and those in other significant positions of leadership, some learning opportunities to strengthen them in their theological understanding and apply it to their responsibilities. To that end I am in a position to offer/give advance notice of three TLS LITE courses which I hope will be of interest. Much, however, will depend on ministers encouraging members of their congregations to take up these opportunities.

These courses will be take place at East Croydon United Reformed Church.

1. TLS LITE – Theology

I attach programme details and an application form for a TLS LITE Theology course I will tutor over the summer. Please consider who in your congregation(s) might benefit from such a course and actively encourage them to apply to attend. As the word “Theology” is off-putting to some, please emphasise that this is not an academic course but one to enable people to “think about God” and about their own faith and discipleship.

Please make copies of this emailed letter, the course details and application form available to potential applicants.

You will see that there is a (modest) course fee (less than the actual cost to the Synod) and that applicants need to have the support of their elders (or the equivalent leadership team). You will see that numbers are restricted because the material is designed to be worked through in small groups.

Please note that we need to have received applications by the end of June. As numbers are limited, please encourage those who wish to attend to let us know that promptly.

Who should be encouraged to attend the Theology course?

• Elders – I would particularly hope that elders will take the opportunity to attend this course, especially those who have never done any formal study of theology. The course will enable to enable them to apply their faith with greater confidence, both in their personal lives and in their role as elders. Completing this course will also equip elders to engage with challenging training material specifically covering eldership. In order to enable applicants to apply their learning in their own context, applications from two or more elders of a particular church would be welcome (though, if there are multiple applications from people from the same church, we would want to allocated some to Group A, others to Group B).
• People seeking local recognition as a Lay Preacher – successful completion of this TLS LITE module satisfies part of the requirements for local recognition.
• Other committed Christians seeking to develop in their faith, discipleship and service in the church and beyond. The course may be particularly beneficial for those who do not have regular opportunities to attend study or reflection groups within their own church.

2. TLS LITE – Valuing Community Experiences

I also attach programme details and an application form for a TLS LITE Valuing Community Experiences course which will be tutored by the Rev Peter Stevenson (Minister of Crossway URC at Elephant and Castle) during the autumn/winter. Again, please make copies available of this emailed letter and those documents to potential applicants.

Who should be encouraged to attend the Valuing Community Experiences course?

• Elders/church leaders from churches wanting to/needing to/trying to engage more effectively with their local community. In order to apply their learning in their own context, applications from two or more people from a particular church would be welcome
• Other committed Christians seeking to develop in their faith, discipleship and service in the church and beyond.

You will see that the Theology and Valuing Community Experiences courses are timed so that those who complete the Theology course will be able to follow it up by doing the Community Experiences course.

3. TLS LITE – Getting to grips with the Bible

In the New Year the Rev Brenda Morton, minister of the Grove Centre Church, Sydenham, has agreed to tutor the TLS LITE – Getting to Grips with the Bible course. Like the TLS LITE – Theology course, this consists of five two-hour sessions and a study day.

My earlier comments on who should be encouraged to attend the Theology course also apply to the Bible course.

The sessions will take place fortnightly, probably either on Monday evenings or during the daytime, and probably at East Croydon: however, days, times and venues are negotiable and we will do our best to accommodate the needs of those interested provided we know these well in advance. If interested, please let me know.

If you have people who are potentially interested in these or other courses but cannot manage these dates (or this venue), please let me have their details for future reference.

Please pass on these details promptly to those who may benefit from them.

Yours in Christ,

Richard Goldring

Rev Dr Richard Goldring
Development Officer for Education and Learning

Tel 020 8680 4871 -

Posted on 28 May 2010

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