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The United Reformed Church - Southern Synod

Synod Office: East Croydon URC Addiscombe Grove Croydon CR0 5LP

Telephone: 020 8688 3730 ~ Fax No: 020 8688 2698

Dear friends,

Learning Opportunities for elders and others

TLS LITE – Theology – additional course venue

Some weeks ago, I emailed you with details of forthcoming TLS LITE courses (Theology, Valuing Community Experiences, Bible). I am now pleased to announce that the TLS LITE Theology course will also be available in Tonbridge (as well as Croydon) over the summer. The rest of this message brings up to date the information relating to the Theology courses in Croydon and Tonbridge. (What was previously announced about the Valuing Community Experiences and Bible courses still applies).

I attach programme details and application forms for the TLS LITE Theology course: the details applicable to the Croydon groups are in one set of documents, those applicable to the Tonbridge group in another set. I will tutor the groups based in Croydon and the Rev. Diane Farquar the course in Tonbridge. 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 their own faith and discipleship.

Please make copies of this emailed letter, the course details and application forms 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. The course involves a Study Day. A Croydon-tutored student who is unable to attend the Study Day at Croydon may attend the Study Day in Tonbridge instead. Conversely, a Tonbridge-tutored student who is unable to attend the Study Day at Tonbridge may attend the Study Day in Croydon instead.

Please note that we need to have received applications for the Croydon course by the end of June and for the Tonbridge course by 12 July. 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.

- 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.

If you have people who are potentially interested in these or other courses but cannot manage these dates (or the venues), 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
Development Officer for Education and Learning
Tel. 020 8680 4871

Attachments (this is a compressed folder)

Posted on 12 Jun 2010

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