The Windermere Centre Programme of Events 2013-14

Welcome to the Windermere Centre It’s your place!

Programme of Events 2013-­‐14

From the Director The Windermere Centre is one of the United Reformed Church’s Resource Centres for Learning. ‘Learning’, in a church context, has the very broad sense of ‘Christian formation’ – becoming more faithful disciples – rather than ‘education for education’s sake’. If we resource churches to be communities of ‘God’s people, transformed by the gospel, making a difference for Christ’s sake’*; if we resource individual followers of Jesus to ‘see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, day by day’, then we will be doing what we have been set up to do.

We’ve devised the Programme in widespread conversation with churches, committees and individuals. It has been shaped by our Vision 2020 commitments, as well as by the questions, priorities and crises that arise from the particular place in which the United Reformed Church finds itself.

The URC has a proud history of making courageous decisions. The decisions that we take as a Church over the life of this Programme will shape our lives and our futures decisively for years to come. They need to be both courageous and faithful, and will require great discernment.

The Programme needs to resource that decision-­‐making process. We need to draw deeply from our roots to refresh, renew and equip us; that is why we have designated 2014 ‘the year of retreats’. If you have never been involved in one, make it your year to try it out.

This is our most comprehensive Programme ever. Having Carver Church as our conference centre allows us to run multiple courses simultaneously. Please look carefully through the Programme, asking yourself not only what would benefit you, but also what would resource your church, or individuals and groups within it. Please also consider a church holiday/visit to the Centre during the next 12 months.

Most importantly, sign up! If you need financial help, the Hannah Fund is only a phone call away.

Make use of the Centre – after all, it’s your place!

Church in the digital age

Art and Craft

Bible and theology R = Retreat

Windermere online

Worship and preaching

Fellowship

Mission and Evangelism

Outdoor

Spirituality

administration

* Catch the Vision statement

Lawrence Moore

September 2013 9-­‐11 Beyond Point & Shoot 9-­‐13 Painting in Autumn 19-­‐22 Christmas Card Mania

March 2014 13-­‐16 Visual Bible Lenten Retreat

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20-­‐23 Card Mania 31 -­‐ 3 Touching the Cloak

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20-­‐22 Folk & Faithfulness 22-­‐23 iChurch Foundation Level

4-­‐6

23-­‐26 iChurch Level 1 Thurs “Take away” Webinars

28-­‐1 When Church & Kingdom Collide: Explorations

October 2013 4-­‐6

Social Networking for Churches & Groups

20-­‐26 Autumn Peaks 25-­‐27 Networking for the Nervous November 2013 15-­‐17 Elders’ Weekend 21-­‐24 Card Mania

30-­‐1 Discover the Authentic Self

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June 2014 Nordic Noir R

16-­‐18 Church Publications 18-­‐20 Living & Believing in Later Life 20-­‐21 Soulfood: Women’s Retreat

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21-­‐28 Walking the Cumbria Way 30-­‐3 Windermere Refresher Lite 7-­‐11

July 2014 Card Mania

14-­‐17 Footsteps: A Walking Retreat R 14-­‐16 PowerPoint for Churches 21-­‐25 Craft Heaven

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7-­‐9

Finding Your Voice

7-­‐9

Faith, Hope & Chronic Illness R

12-­‐14 Rock & Redemption 14-­‐16 iChurch Level 2 21-­‐23 Webmasters’ Weekend 24-­‐26 iChurch Level 3

R

9-­‐12 Cycling Retreat

9-­‐12 iChurch Level 1 23-­‐27 Christmas House Party January 2014 20-­‐23 A Year with John’s Gospel 27-­‐31 Windermere Online Festival

17-­‐21 Faith on the Margins

May 2014 12-­‐15 Story & Song

2-­‐5

25-­‐28 Spiritual Direction December 2013 2-­‐4 Advent Retreat 6-­‐8 Church Secretaries 8-­‐9 iChurch Foundation Level

31-­‐2 Church Communications February 2014 2-­‐4 Waiting on God

April 2014 Beyond Point & Shoot

R

August 2014 4-­‐7 Songs of Faith & Life 9-­‐11 WCCN Event 18-­‐22 Older Folks’ Fellowship September 2014 15-­‐19 The Windermere Refresher 19-­‐21 Being Connected 19-­‐21 Windermere Walks 21-­‐26 A Walk Around the Lake 22-­‐26 Card Mania 29-­‐2 When Church & Kingdom Collide: Strategies

Mission and Evangelism 17-­‐21 February 2014

Faith on the Margins

£290

With John Bell Retreat Throughout the history of the Jewish/Christian tradition, there has been sometimes a conflict, sometimes a consonance between those at the centre of power and those on the periphery. The prophets were sometimes at odds with the priests; women sometimes came into open conflict with the dominant male hierarchy. When Jesus appears, it is more in those on the margins of society that he sees faith than those who are the likely suspects at the centre. In this retreat we will look at the evidence for this, and also query what those on the margins today have to teach us about faith and life.

28 April -­‐ 1 May 2014

When Church & Kingdom Collide: Explorations

£200

With Lawrence Moore, Kevin Snyman and Peter Noble The Church is most authentically the Church when it most closely resembles Jesus and is a clear sign of the Kingdom that Jesus preached and died for. How do we avoid the ever-­‐present danger of the Church becoming an end in itself, with its most pressing questions being about its own survival and flourishing?

How do we this when we find ourselves in what appears to be terminal decline, with our future possibilities dictated by a shrinking budget?

Walter Brueggemann* suggests that the 3 most urgent tasks are:

• •

To re-­‐imagine the world as though Yahweh were a key and decisive player To recognise that ‘the God of the Bible is endlessly restless with socioeconomic arrangements that the world takes as normal’ • To resist the seductive notion that we can ‘pin down all meaning without anything that signifies mystery or risk’ We want to start a URC-­‐wide conversation about these matters. At this outset of the process you are invited to come and explore 3 main areas:

1.

2.

3.

Jesus, the Kingdom & the Church When the world needs saving from the Church ‘Render unto Caesar’ – the spirituality of money We aim to produce a series of discussion papers from the event that will form the basis for a further, more in-­‐depth consultation (29 September – 2 October 2014) in order to ensure that we exist to ‘make a difference for Christ’s sake’. * ‘Preaching as Sub-­‐Version’, Deep Memory, Exuberant Hope

18-­‐20 June 2014

Living & Believing in Later Life: Older People and the Churches

£135

With Malcolm Johnson Older people are the heart of the mainstream protestant churches in the UK. Many regret this is so and long for the days when there was a large and lively junior church and their families. Much effort is devoted to ‘attracting in the young’. The desire to be an all-­‐age church again is a worthy one. But it has obscured our recognition of the spiritual needs of the faithful older members, who are even more reflective about their faith and beliefs than earlier in life. Being old often brings physical ailments that restrict living; but it also brings new doubts as the secular world works to undermine belief. Yet there is very little that would pass as theology for later life. There are few in ministry who feel able to address the losses and aspirations of old age; so little liturgy, worship, hymnody, prayer, ritual or celebration is directed to those of mature years.

This course will open up the meanings of religious questioning and renewal as we age and will share contemporary thinking, new approaches to engaging with older church members and how to see our churches as having a mission for the many who would like to renew their engagement with God and the church. We will show uplifting initiatives and how to translate them into any local church.

In our churches we are excellent at using the talents and life experience of those in the Third Age. We rely on the active retired to maintain the organisations and life of our churches. We use the faith and commitment of our elders to deliver the Jesus’ social gospel of care. Through worship, prayer, teaching, preaching and ritual we nourish and sustain. Clergy and other church leaders provide pastoral care to the members. We provide a loving and caring community of faith which sustains Christians of all ages, but especially the old.

It is important that people of all ages share in the active life of the churches, but nurturing their souls, working with their concerns and understanding the heightened anxiety about faith and belief as life moves towards its close is an essential complement to the life of ‘doing’.

Malcolm Johnson is Emeritus Professor of Health & Social Policy, University of Bristol, and Visiting Professor of Gerontology and End of Life Care, University of Bath. He has served the United Reformed Church in many roles, including being Assembly Committee Convenor for Church & Society and for Education & Learning.

29 September -­‐ 2 Oct 2014

When Church & Kingdom Collide: Strategies

£200

With Lawrence Moore, Kevin Snyman and Peter Noble How does the United Reformed Church live out its vision to be ‘God’s people, transformed by the gospel, making a difference for Christ’s sake’? We have a history of taking courageous decisions; what are the decisions we need to be taking now in the face of the pressures of decline and apparently scarce financial resources?

This is the second consultation on the challenges facing us as a denomination at this point in our history. It will further the conversation begun in the May 2013 by responding to the discussion papers that emerged from that consultation. We will wrestle with how the United Reformed Church can respond concretely through a series of ‘response papers’ (short, 15 minute papers on the three major themes*), followed by detailed engagement with the material. The material produced might be offered more widely as a contribution to a continuing conversation within the Church.

You are invited to offer a response paper, or simply to attend and take part in the discussions. * Jesus, the Kingdom & the Church; When the world needs saving from the Church; ‘Render unto Caesar’ – the spirituality of money

Art & Craft 9-­‐11 September 2013 4-­‐6 April 2014

Beyond Point & Shoot

£140 £145

With Nina Claridge The majority of mobile phone users know how to send text and make calls; most of the other features are wasted and unused. Most owners of digital cameras know how to point and shoot, zoom in and out, and upload their photos to their computer. This course will introduce you to the features and possibilities of your digital camera. It assumes very little knowledge of photography, and a very basic digital camera. If you have a digital camera and you want to begin to explore and use its features in a non-­‐threatening environment, then this course is for you.

Nina Claridge is a professional photographer (to find out more about Nina, visit her website, www.ninaclaridge.com). We will start by building up by confidence around the Centre and then move out into the Lake District to do some scenic work and landscape photography. This course is also the opportunity to ask all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

We will cover the following:

• • • • • • •

Macros Architectural photography Landscape photography Using HDR (multiple images) Basic photo editing Creating panoramas (photo-­‐stitching) Exploring the possibilities on your doorstep-­‐ your camera and your environment.

9-­‐13 September 2013 Dates tba Dates tba

Painting in Autumn Painting in Spring Painting in Summer

£250 £260 £260

With Sarah Edwards This is a painting course for everyone, with any level of experience and ability. Sarah creates an atmosphere of fellowship, patience, and light-­‐hearted fun, as well as creating space for participants to work on whatever interests them.

This autumn the theme is ‘still life’, and the tuition will have a particular focus on getting back to basics, concentrating mainly on drawing and watercolours. The main drawing medium will be pencil, and also watercolour pencils, which many people have but are not quite sure how to best to use them.

Sarah is a qualified art teacher, and has been teaching painting and drawing for over a decade, both for Cardiff Adult Education and independently. Her Windermere Centre courses are becoming increasingly popular, so book now to be sure of securing your place!

19-­‐22 September 2013 21-­‐24 November 2013 20-­‐23 March 2014 7-­‐11 July 2014 22-­‐26 September 2014

Christmas Card Mania Card Mania Card Mania Card Mania Card Mania

£200 £200 £200 £260 £260

With Barbara Aspinall Come and spend a long weekend making cards amongst new friends. This workshop-­‐style course gives you the opportunity to make lots of fantastic cards, including learning new techniques and lots of tips if you wish. The atmosphere is friendly, fun and very enthusiastic -­‐ you’ll be amazed at how many cards are produced!

The leader, Barbara, brings all the materials you’ll need, and provides tuition that is both patient and inspiring, ranging from demonstrating a new skill to the whole group to working closely with individual participants and answering those tricky questions you’ve never had anyone to ask.

You can make cards for any occasion: birthdays; sympathy; get well soon; congratulations; encouragement -­‐ and beyond. Often a card can say things that words can’t, or can reach people you can’t get to in person.

If you enjoy crafting, good company and good food, then this is the course for you.

21-­‐25 July 2014

Craft Heaven

£260

Craft Heaven is a gathering of people with similar passions for creating with thread and fabric. Embroidery, quilting, patchwork, knitting, crochet, tatting, bobbin lace, beading -­‐ these are all skills on offer. Be challenged by something new or bring your own work to finish or share. If you have a technique you want to explore, let us know. If you have a project for which you need some inspiration, bring that.

Give yourself creative space in a friendly atmosphere; be refreshed by the surroundings and by people who care about what you do. Rediscover the creativity within yourself. Places are limited, so book early!

Bible and Theology 2-­‐4 December 2014

Advent Retreat

£135

With Lawrence Moore and Lis Mullen Retreat ‘This happened to fulfil what was written by the prophet …’

Matthew tells his story as a series of fulfilments of Old Testament prophecy. This has led to some interesting (but erroneous) ways of reading and preaching the Jesus story: for some people, it’s as though the Old Testament provided a ready-­‐made prophetic ‘script’, and all Jesus did was to ‘play his pre-­‐ determined part’.

For others, it has been used as ‘proof of the divine nature of the Bible’: they see the Old Testament as full of accurate ‘predictions of the future’, so that, if it should be that some prophetic passages do not ‘foretell the future’ in this way, their faith in the Bible collapses.

Matthew’s purpose is not so much to suggest that the Old Testament ‘tells Jesus’ future’ so much as it is to link the Jesus story to the great stories of Yahweh and Israel.

Come and spend time immersing yourself in Matthew’s world of the Bible as you prepare for the coming of the Christ this Christmas. There will be times of worship and reflection, personal study and devotion, and space to ‘be’ in whatever way you need.

20-­‐23 January

A Year with John’s Gospel

£200

With Lawrence Moore The world of John’s gospel is as beautiful and exciting as it is sometimes strange! For those of us steeped in the familiar landscapes of Mark, Matthew and Luke (known as the Synoptic gospels because of their striking similarities), the Jesus of John’s gospel is strikingly different. He sounds and teaches differently: nowhere else in the gospels do we have anything as striking as Jesus’ statement ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life!’ (which we hear so powerfully and comfortingly at funerals). He acts differently: the only miracle that takes place in all 4 gospels is the Feeding of the 5,000; the other miracles John records are unique to his story of Jesus. And of course, John’s whole Easter timetable is different!

We will be paying close attention to what John wants to tell us about the meaning and significance of Jesus, rather than getting too hung up on the question of history (although we will obviously touch on what and why John does what he does with history). John wants us to discover Jesus afresh for ourselves and to be transformed by the very Life of God as a result; we will hopefully do exactly that, while exploring how to read, preach and pray with John’s Jesus.

Whether you’re coming as a minister, lay preacher, Bible study leader or someone who simply wants to explore the world of John’s Jesus, come prepared to experience something of ‘Life in all its abundance’ (John 10:10).

12-­‐14 February 2014

Rock & Redemption

£135

With Steve Tomkins, Peter Noble and Lawrence Moore Musicians have a tradition of exploring the great questions that shape us as human beings – individually and as a society. We will look at the ways in which Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen explore some of the theological themes around redemption. These are three of the greatest contemporary songwriters, whose work contains sustained engagement with these ideas.

The starting point for our discussions is to take a major theological theme that finds a powerful conversation partner in each artist. That isn't to try and force explicitly Christian theology on their songs, but to discover ways in which the conversation illuminates aspects of our own faith.

Leonard Cohen: ‘Brokenness & Grace’ (Lawrence Moore) Bob Dylan: ‘Salvation’ (Steve Tomkins) Bruce Springsteen: ‘Lament & Hope’ (Peter Noble) If these are conversations that matter to you, and you enjoy the music, you’ll find it a rich, transforming time!

Steve Tomkins is the editor of REFORM magazine. Before that he was a writer for 12 years, writing books on Christian history and biography, and articles including reviews of music, films and books and features about Christianity and culture. He has started a book on Bob Dylan ‘n’ God, but has been a bit busy. He is also a singer songwriter, but not so as you’d notice.

Peter Noble was born and raised in industrial South Wales, and is a true 'Valleys Boy'. He had an 8 year RAF career before 'demob' (without the suit!) and has served in ministry for 30 years -­‐ currently as Chaplain in Cardiff Bay, with a Lightship for an office. He played in a band for 9 years and loved every minute of it. He believes the work of Springsteen, Cohen and Dylan resonates at lots of levels, and considers them ‘wonderful theological conversation partners who lift the soul'.

Lawrence Moore is the Director of the Windermere Centre and considers Dylan, Springsteen and Cohen to be the 'holy trinity' (2nd team). 'Blowing in the Wind' was the first song he learned to play on his guitar; when he discovered that Dylan was writing about the ways in which 'we are betrayed by our silences', he became a convert. His faith and his theology are mediated by music, and, in his opinion, these three musicians have written some of the most powerful Christian songs that are around today.

13-­‐16 March 2014

Visual Bible Lenten Retreat

£200

With Lawrence Moore and Elizabeth Gray-­‐King Retreat Come and immerse yourself in the Bible in ways you might never have done before. This retreat focuses on visual means of engaging with the biblical texts. It’s primarily ‘right brain’ stuff! We’ll use imagination, story, colour, art, space and silence as means of opening up spaces to meet and hear God. The general pattern of the day will be to spend time together engaging communally with the text and exploring different ways of ‘getting into’ the Bible stories. There will be a silent period during the day for deep personal engagement, and an opportunity to spend time with Lawrence and Elizabeth on a one-­‐to-­‐ one basis.

Prayers will be shaped by imagining ourselves into the lives and roles of characters in the stories.

This is a retreat – a time to set aside space to encounter the Bible rather than to learn ‘about’ it. Don’t expect to leave the same person as you arrived.

Lawrence Moore is the Director of the Windermere Centre and a Bible teacher.

Revd Elizabeth Gray-­‐King is an artist and ‘visual theologian’ who ‘thinks in colours’.

12-­‐15 May 2014

Story & Song

£200

With Michael Hodgson and Lawrence Moore Retreat Come with Michael and Lawrence on a musical journey of discipleship. It’s an opportunity to explore some Bible passages through a combination of Bible study and music. Each day will begin with a study of the themes led by Lawrence, followed by singing sessions with Michael. The themes are as follows:

• • • • •

Christmas Lakeside – the call of the disciples, storms & meals Mountains – mountain top experiences, encounters with God Gardens – Eden, Gethsemane, the Garden of Hope Easter – Good Friday, the Way of the Cross, resurrection Highlights include Communion and singing on the lake and on a mountain top! You don’t need to be able to sing or read music – just to enjoy Bible study and singing.

Michael Hodgson is a well-­‐known and much-­‐loved music leader who has been a minister in the United Reformed Church for 26 years.

Lawrence Moore is the Director of the Windermere Centre and a Bible teacher.

2-­‐5 June 2014

Nordic Noir

£200

With Jack Dyce Dark doings in Scandinavia have caught the British imagination through TV series like Wallander, The Killing and Borgen and murder novels from across the Nordic region -­‐ Iceland and Shetland, as well as the usual trio of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. We shall explore with illustrations from films and books a number of universal themes:

• • • • • • •

Redemption, retribution and revenge Weary wimps and warrior women The 'outsider' in the midst Light and darkness Contemporary witch-­‐hunting Coalitions the norm What's different about Scandi-­‐crime?

Outdoor 20-­‐26 October 2013

Autumn Peaks

£380*

With Nick Andrews Walkers and climbers pour into the Lake District each season in their thousands to spend time on the fells and mountains. This is your opportunity to spend time in the Lake District with experienced guides and perhaps attempt walks you might not be confident of doing on your own.

There are two walks offered each day: a high level walk (up to 3,000’ of ascent and about 10 miles in distance) and a lower level walk (up to 1,200’ of ascent and about 7 miles in distance). Evening activities include films and lectures on mountain safety and similar topics. *Choose your length and time of stay during the period, or come for the whole time. Cost will vary.

Nick is a holder of the British Mountaineering Council Mountain Leader Award, and is a regular volunteer walk leader for the company HF Holidays Ltd. He lives in the Lake District, and is an Elder at Kendal URC. The lower-­‐level walks will be led by Alvene and John Costello, who have been leading Walk & Talk courses at the Centre for the past ten years.

9-­‐12 June 2014

Cycling Retreat

£200

With Jamie Kissack Retreat This retreat is both for ‘serious’ cyclists and for ‘Sunday’ cyclists. We will be out on the bikes each day.

There will be longer and more challenging rides of 40-­‐50 miles, taking in a large sweep of the varied Lake District landscape. For less energetic cyclists there will be lighter rides of up to 30 miles which will stick to quiet lanes and traffic-­‐free trails, through equally stunning countryside.

As any cyclist knows, being in the saddle is perfect ‘thinking time’, so we will be combining two-­‐wheeled, zero-­‐carbon travelling with spiritual, Jesus-­‐centred journeying in ways we hope will be refreshing and stimulating for mind, body and spirit. As cyclists are, by definition, friendly people, the fellowship should also be good!

Jamie Kissack is a URC minister currently serving on the east coast of Yorkshire. He is married (to another URC minister) with three teenage children. He took up cycling in 2006 during a sabbatical and hasn’t stopped since; he is usually to be found on his days off with his bike on the back lanes of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Our second cycling leader is David Holcroft, whose name you may recognise, as he is the Centre’s Senior Receptionist. David is a keen cyclist who knows the area very well, having spent many years fell-­‐running and cycling throughout the Lakes. He enjoys taking part in sportives and recently completed the ‘Fred Whitton Challenge’ -­‐ despite terrible weather -­‐ and survived the experience with his passion for cycling intact! He lives in Ambleside with his family, and has worked in the Centre’s office for 7 years.

21-­‐28 June 2014

Walking the Cumbria Way

£495

With Nick Andrews The Cumbria Way is a long distance footpath which crosses Cumbria from South to North through the Lake District National Park. Although the trail is usually described as mainly low level in guidebooks, there are ascents each day, and it would be wrong to describe this as an easy undertaking. To be able to complete this walk, a considerable, sustained effort will be required. Fitness and experience of walking on rough paths is essential, and you should be comfortable with continuous walking. The total distance is about 70 miles, and this will be covered in six consecutive days’ walking. On three days (including the first day) the distance covered will be about fourteen miles. On the fifth day the total ascent throughout the day is just over 3,000ft.

Guests will stay at the Windermere Centre throughout the week. The cost of the week includes all meals (including a packed lunch) as well as all transport to and from the walk start and finish points each day by coach or minibus.

The walks will be led by Nick Andrews, who has been associated with the Windermere Centre for a number of years as a leader of the Winter and Autumn Peaks Courses. Nick is a holder of the British Mountaineering Council Mountain Leader Award, and is a regular volunteer walk leader for the company HF Holidays Ltd. He lives in the Lake District, and is an Elder at Kendal URC. If you require any more information about this course, or wish to speak to Nick about the specifics of the walking required, please contact us.

14-­‐17 July 2014

Footsteps: A Walking Retreat

£200

With Linda Rayner, Judith and Andrew Wood Retreat The gospel writers present their stories of learning what following Jesus means while walking with him.

Geography takes on symbolic meaning for these would-­‐be disciples (‘followers in the way’): when they move into Gentile territory, they learn about the ways in which the Kingdom breaks boundaries. The journey to Jerusalem becomes the Way of the Cross, and the occasion for Jesus teaching them about the nature and cost of discipleship.

This retreat gives you an opportunity to ‘see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly day by day’. If you long for a deeper faith, and want to spend quality time being open to hearing and experiencing Jesus in fresh ways, come and spend the time being guided on your retreat while on the walks.

You don’t have to be a seasoned walker, or super-­‐fit: the walks are not designed to be demanding, but to be occasions on which to discover Jesus and faith afresh.

19-­‐21 September 2014

Windermere Walks

£140

With Judith and Andrew Wood Come for a weekend of fun, good company and local walks. If you want an opportunity to escape from your normal pattern of life, stretch your legs, fill your lungs with Lakeland air and be enthralled by the beauty of the Lake District, come and join Andrew and Judith for a weekend of low-­‐level walks around Windermere.

The walks are designed to be accessible to casual walkers. There will be slide shows and quizzes in the evening, and the weekend finishes with a Sunday High Tea after a morning’s walking.

Special package deal: Windermere Walks + A Walk Around the Lake = £420 (save £70!)

21-­‐26 September 2014

A Walk Around the Lake

£350

With Nick Andrews Leave your car at home, and get to know the area surrounding Lake Windermere in depth!

This is a walking course that offers more comfortable walking, with the total distance covered being 30 miles, and the longest walking day being 9 miles. The total ascent over the four days of walking will be approximately 3,600ft, with the greatest ascent in a single day being approximately 1,700ft.

The course will take in several of the low-­‐lying Lakeland fells, such as Jenkin Crag, Orrest Head, School Knott, Moor How, Gummers How, High Dam, Stott Park Heights and Claife Heights, and will include some walking along the lake edge as well as several stretches that are not directly beside the lake but which will bring you into a deeper intimacy with this beautiful area of the Lake District.

All transfers to and from Windermere will be done by public transport, including bus-­‐rides as well as the opportunity to experience the Lake from the water, using the lake ferries to travel. This means that you can enjoy being completely car-­‐free for the whole holiday -­‐ we'll even transfer you to and from Windermere train station when you arrive and depart, if that helps!

If you'd like to explore Lakeland on foot, but don't want to be tackling huge peaks or long distances, this course offers you the chance to enjoy the area at a lower level and a more relaxed pace, during the early summer, in four stress-­‐free walks guided by our walking leader, Nick Andrews.

Nick is a holder of the British Mountaineering Council Mountain Leader Award, and is a regular volunteer walk leader for the company HF Holidays Ltd. He lives in the Lake District, and is an Elder at Kendal URC.

Fellowship 23-­‐27 December 2013

Christmas House Party

£330

With Margie and David Jenkins Christmas is not a time to have to spend alone. There’s no need to do so this Christmas: the Windermere Centre is your place, which is why we’re running a Christmas house party.

Come and be part of the URC family at Windermere and enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings! There will be carol singing, card making, outings, Christmas services, games, and delicious, home-­‐cooked Christmas fare!

Your hosts are David and Margie Jenkins, who are looking forward to welcoming you. Enjoy the fellowship, warmth and fun of a wonderful, traditional Christmas at the Windermere Centre in 2013!

9-­‐11 August 2014

Windermere Centre Contact Network Event

£65

This is the annual gathering of the Windermere Centre Contact Network. The Centre aims to have one Contact in each church, someone who will share our news and help to publicise our work.

This event is designed to enable Centre staff and Contacts to get together to discuss how best to promote the Centre, as well as to socialise and, of course, to get first-­‐hand experience of the Centre itself! We offer the event at a special price as our way of saying ‘thank you’ for all the work that the Contacts do on our behalf.

If your church or organisation doesn’t yet have a Contact, but you know someone who might be interested in becoming one, please get in touch with Rebecca (rebecca.wincen@gmail.com or call 015394 44902) for more information.

18-­‐22 August 2014

Older Folks’ Fellowship

£320

With Kathie Bennett For people who want to take life a little more slowly and enjoy good company, good food, good outings and time for prayer, reflection and fellowship: come and spend a few days in the Lake District at one of the best times of year.

You'll have time to yourself, too, which you can choose how to fill; you'll be well looked after, but not in a way that is intrusive or too 'organising'! The rooms and grounds of the Centre are at your disposal and if there is something you would like particularly to arrange for yourself while you're here, we can help you to do that.

Our meals are restaurant-­‐quality and we cater for special diets.

Kathie Bennett is an ordained URC minister with a special ministry to older people.

Administration 15-­‐17 November 2013

Elders’ Weekend

£125

With Linda Rayner and Lis Mullen Take a well-­‐earned break in the beautiful Lake District and join elders from many other churches for a weekend of lively discussion as you discover more about the URC, the role of elders and the mission of our local churches.

Whether you’re new to eldership, are thinking about becoming an elder, or have been in post for years -­‐ and even if you’ve been on this weekend before -­‐ this is a great opportunity to learn more. You will stay in the comfort of the Windermere Centre with plenty of time to get out and explore.

We will look at different aspects of the elders’ role, and learn from each other about how different local churches work.

You will go home relaxed, rejuvenated and bursting with enthusiasm and ideas!

6-­‐8 December 2013

Church Secretaries

£140

With Lawrence Moore and Linda Rayner Have they inveigled you into taking on the post of Church Secretary? Are you thinking about it and wondering what it might involve? Have you been a Church Secretary for years and found the role changing under your very nose? Or perhaps you are a Church Secretary who would welcome the refreshment, encouragement and fellowship of people in a similar role. If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, then this course is for you!

The Church Secretary plays a key role in the Church. An elder, the Secretary is most commonly the first point of contact with the Church for anyone outside. These days, you’ll be deluged with information, requests, appeals, suggestions, forms, questionnaires – and that’s just from within the URC! How do you create practical boundaries for the job? How do you sift and evaluate information? How do you keep an eye on all the balls that you’re required to juggle? How do you create an effective working relationship with your minister? How do you troubleshoot the job and Church life? How do you act as a Christian leader within the Church as well as an admin expert? These are the areas and questions we’ll be covering during the course.

31 January -­‐ 2 February 2014

Church Communications: Grabbing Opportunities, Avoiding Pitfalls

£140

With Gill Nichol, Kay Parris and Lawrence Moore In this course we’ll be looking at the many opportunities churches have to communicate positively with those around them – and the steps we can take to ensure our communication efforts don’t backfire. We’ll be looking at the message(s) your church is already communicating, both to those who attend it and those who live and work in the community in which it is situated. What is your church saying – and how? Is that the message you want to communicate? How can it be improved?

We’ll be covering three key areas: media relations; print and publications and websites. The course will include plenty of practical sessions to help you sharpen your skills, as well as theoretical input and lots of time to time to think and talk about your church and its stories!

Gill Nichol is the URC’s Press & Media Manager.

Kay Parris is a freelance journalist and former editor of REFORM magazine.

Lawrence Moore is the Director of the Windermere Centre.

16-­‐18 June 2014

Church Publications

£135

With Gill Nichol, Rebecca Gudgeon and Lawrence Moore Your newsletter is part of the public face of your church. This course is a chance to take your design and content to a new level. Produce a stunning, professional newsletter that showcases your church life, which you will be proud to leave in your local library and send to members and friends. The skills that you’ll learn can be applied to other church publications too, such as Orders of Service, posters and event flyers.

We will teach you how to:

• • • •

use and customise a specially designed MS Word Church Newsletter template use advanced design features work with images create and write content that people will look forward to reading

14-­‐16 July 2014

PowerPoint for Churches

£135

With Lawrence Moore PowerPoint is a very powerful display and presentation tool. Used well, it can significantly enhance worship; used poorly or indiscriminately, it can distract and irritate; over-­‐used, it will cause people to switch off (the ‘Death by PowerPoint’ phenomenon).

Whether you’re just starting out with PowerPoint or have used it for years, there’s always more to learn:.

Come and discover how to use the software to maximum effect in services. We will cover the principles of effective slide design and use:

• • • • • • •

The KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle The ‘You need to have been there’ principle The Apple aesthetic Zen and the art of Powerpoint Colour schemes that work (and those that definitely don’t!)

The “Pretty Pictures” theory of images Music: enhancement vs overkill

Worship and Preaching 20-­‐22 September 2013

Folk & Faithfulness

£140

With Malcolm Fife and Lawrence Moore Folk music has always been one of the most popular and enduring ways of expressing faith because it is the means by which people set their lives to music. The music of the protest movement, country and western music and gospel all have roots within the folk tradition, and that is what you’ll be exploring this weekend.

Come and bring your instruments! There will be singers’ workshops, musicians’ workshops and the chance to sing, share and listen to a live performance by Malcolm. If you like folk music – sacred or secular – and want a weekend enjoying the music and developing it for your personal or communal spirituality and worship, this weekend is for you!

7-­‐9 February 2014

Finding Your Voice

£140

With Andrew Wood We may not all be involved in preaching, but many of us are asked to contribute to worship by reading Bible passages or prayers.

This course will develop your vocal abilities, help you dramatise passages and readings, and encourage you to go forth and do likewise.

Andrew Wood is the Head of Operational Service at the Windermere Centre. He has a background in education and amateur dramatics, and contributes to worship as an elder at Carver United Reformed Church.

4-­‐7 August 2014

Songs of Faith & Life

£200

With Kath and Andrew Dodd ‘Singing the faith’ has always been an integral part of Church life. If you enjoy singing – whether in unison or harmony – you’ll love Songs of Life and Faith! Kath will be following a number of possible themes over your time together:

• • • • • • • • •

Spirituals Nostalgia – songs and choruses we learned as children Rounds Singing the Psalms World Music Community music – Taize, Northumbria and Iona Crusade hymns Christian musicals A longer, classical piece

Please note that, in order to participate fully in this course, the ability to read music is very helpful, but not essential.

Andrew and Kath are joint Baptist ministers of Hawkshead Hill Chapel in the heart of the Lake District.

They have led sung worship together for all their married lives (over 30 years!). Kath is a classically trained pianist, teacher and accompanist, with a love of singing. She has conducted Churches Together Choirs, and finds great delight in enabling groups to sing in harmony. Andrew plays the guitar, and enjoys singing (especially impromptu harmonizing!). They will work together on the course, with Kath taking the lead for the singing sessions, and Andrew leading the prayers.

Church in the Digital Age 22-­‐23 September 2013 8-­‐9 December 2013

iChurch Foundation Level

£35

With Rebecca Gudgeon If you’re heading to the Windermere Centre for our iChurch Level 1 course, but are worried that you might get caught out by some of the basics, you can prepare yourself by joining Rebecca on this short course that we’re running in advance of the Level 1 training.

We will be looking at web-­‐browsing and how to get the most out of some popular internet tools, as well as helping to demystify some of that ‘techy’ terminology which sounds so scary but is actually much easier than you think -­‐ honest!

Our aim is that you will be ready to embark with confidence on your journey as a new iChurch webmaster.

Rebecca is the Windermere Centre’s Marketing Officer and has been working with the Director, Lawrence Moore, to develop our iChurch programme.

23-­‐26 September 2013 9-­‐12 December 2013

iChurch Level 1

£315

With Lawrence Moore and Rebecca Gudgeon Need a website for your church or group? Don’t have a resident expert or a big budget? If you can use Word, you’ll be able to use WordPress – the software platform on which your out-­‐of-­‐the-­‐box website is built. iChurch provides you with a domain name, unlimited bandwidth, hosting at below-­‐ market rates (only £25 per year), and the chance to become part of a growing community of iChurch webmasters. Learn your way around the site and have your it up and running by the end of the course. For more details, check out http://ichurch.urc.org.uk. Places limited!

You will need: a wireless-­‐enabled laptop running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 or 8, or a Mac running OSX. You will also need to be a proficient computer user.

4-­‐6 October 2013

Social Networking for Churches & Groups

£125

With Rebecca Gudgeon This is about social networking for churches and groups. Your church or group may have a website, and perhaps you keep in touch with each other by email, but the world of social networking has opened up even more new possibilities to connect with people and to share ideas, information, and interests. If you want to learn how to use social networking and media to nourish and grow your community, then this is the course for you. We’ll cover Facebook and Twitter (and other options too if you want, such as Squidoo, Pinterest, Mailchimp and YouTube), teaching you how to use these online tools for communication, as well as exploring why you might want to and some of the implications and potential of new media for spiritual and community life today.

By the end of the course, you’ll have at least one account set up for your church or group, as well as the skills and knowledge you need to begin to use it effectively.

Rebecca is the Windermere Centre’s Marketing Officer, and manages the Centre’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. She first discovered social networking when an old school friend looked her up via Facebook, and is passionate about taking some of the fear out of the internet and making it accessible to as many people as possible.

25-­‐27 October 2013

Networking for the Nervous

£125

With Rebecca Gudgeon This is about social networking for you as an individual: you don’t need to be afraid of social networking any more! This course is about working together to make you feel comfortable exploring the two biggest sites, Facebook and Twitter. We’ll build together our individual online ‘neighbourhoods’, creating opportunities to connect with friends old and new, wherever they are in the world, and to join in with groups, communities and events that interest you – from recipe sharing to fan pages!

We begin by getting to know each other, then work at setting up our accounts. As the time goes on, you’ll have chances to add more connections and content, and grow in confidence using these websites as tools for communication.

We’ll be very gentle, and help you every step of the way, with plenty of time for asking questions, troubleshooting, and even for enjoying ourselves a little too!

Rebecca is the Windermere Centre’s Marketing Officer, and manages the Centre’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. She first discovered social networking when an old school friend looked her up via Facebook, and is passionate about taking some of the fear out of the internet and making it accessible to as many people as possible.

14-­‐16 February 2014

iChurch Level 2

£140

With Lawrence Moore and Rebecca Gudgeon So you’ve got your iChurch site up and running. It’s doing more than you expected or hoped. This course will teach you how to extend its functionality further:

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with the builder -­‐ unleash the awesome power of the theme framework, enabling you to customise fully just about anything on your site!

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with sidebars, widgets and widget areas -­‐ learn how to use different widget areas on different pages and to get the most out of your footer

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with shortcodes -­‐ there’s a whole world of specially designed goodies for you: buttons, columns, drop caps, sliders, boxes, toggles … all just a click away!

• •

with galleries -­‐ make the most of the gallery features to display your photos with plugins -­‐ learn about the thousands of WordPress plugins designed just for your needs

21-­‐23 February 2014

Webmasters’ Weekend

£140

With Lawrence Moore and Rebecca Gudgeon In the world of iChurch, the webmasters’ weekend is as geeky as it gets! This is an opportunity to get together and share tips, tricks and discoveries; delve deeply into the possibilities afforded by the iChurch 4.0 template; and, most importantly, to become au fait with the Support Forum. If, by the end of the weekend, you discover a vocation to become a forum moderator, we’ll be delighted to have you on board.

This is a time to indulge your geeky tendencies unapologetically in the company of fellow enthusiasts.

Saturday night will be given over to popcorn, refreshments and The Matrix (with some optional theological reflection). Come and plug yourself into the iChurch network!

Special package deal: Webmasters’ Weekend + iChurch Level 3 + B&B on 23/02/14= £250 (save £68!)

24-­‐26 February 2014

iChurch Level 3

£135

With Lawrence Moore and Rebecca Gudgeon It’s time to wade in and learn some of the tricks of site design to make your site look just as you want it to.

Discover the capabilities of the iChurch template and learn how to tweak and customise your site. Learn about

• • • •

Custom fonts – you have hundreds of different fonts at your disposal!

• •

Social networking and email – grow your online presence

Custom copy – what makes for good copy that will bring visitors to your site again and again Custom design – portfolios, design choices, basic photo editing Custom tweaks – how to edit your site files when you just can’t achieve what you need to; FTP; Basic HTML and the wonders of Firebug!

A new theme – we’ll give you a new theme to take away and use as you like!

19-­‐21 September 2014

Being Connected: New Media Weekend

£140

In a world where your neighbour could be your co-­‐worker in Toronto or your fellow music-­‐fan in Cape Town, and your community could be as temporary as the flash-­‐mob that you just became part of in your local city centre, what are the implications for church, for Christians, and for spiritual living?

This weekend provides an opportunity for those who are actively using social media and networking to meet together, share ideas, and ask the deeper questions. There will be workshops, discussions, and Bible study, as well as time for fellowship, sharing and networking (of course!), before concluding the weekend with an interactive worship spectacular!

Spirituality 25-­‐28 November 2013

Spiritual Direction

£200

With Mark Argent Spiritual Direction is often spoken of as something more associated with Catholic and Anglican traditions.

Someone from the URC training in spiritual direction or attending a conference is likely to be in a small minority. Yet there are things in the Reformed tradition which look remarkably like ‘spiritual direction by another name’, ranging from the model of ministry in Richard Baxter's The Reformed Pastor to what we tend to talk of as pastoral care.

We'll bring together people who give direction, people who would like to explore training in this area, people who receive direction, and people who are wondering about looking for a spiritual director. The aim is not to propose a URC-­‐specific model of spiritual direction, but rather to explore spiritual direction in a Reformed context. That's both about exploring the riches we bring to the ecumenical encounter, and naming some of our strengths in a way which makes it easier to receive from others.

This is run as a group event, using group process and drawing on the encounters which happen between people in sessions and in social time. There will also be times of silence and experiences of giving and receiving individual spiritual direction, and reflecting on the process.

It's likely to be helpful (though not essential) to include walking in the prayer experience, so it's worth bringing waterproofs.

On previous occasions this event has been enriched by having some participants from outside the URC, so ecumenical friends will be most welcome.

Mark Argent is the Editor of Encounter, the Magazine of the URC Retreats Group. He is a non-­‐serving Elder at St Columba’s URC Cambridge, and is currently on the team giving retreats at St Bueno’s Centre of Ignatian Spirituality in North Wales

2-­‐4 February 2014

Waiting on God: A Silent Retreat

£135

With Mike Playdon Retreat Does the prospect of a silent retreat both attract and scare you? That’s a very common reaction! We spend so much of our lives in conversation with people, connected via the Internet and surrounded by noise, images and other demands on our attention, that, while the thought of escaping from it might have its attractions, we’re still left wondering, ‘What would I do with all that space and silence? Could I handle it?’

What you’ll be doing in a silent retreat is pushing on an open door, without knowing what’s on the other side … other than God! It’s impossible to say what might occur, except that, when we genuinely, openly wait on God, things happen! Don’t expect to leave the same person as you were when you arrived at the start of the retreat.

This will be guided retreat, with input followed by time for meditation and contemplation in silence. You will also have the opportunity of meeting daily with Mike to discuss and reflect on what is happening. If you’ve never done anything like this before and want to dip your toe in the water, the format will make this a good opportunity to experience it for the first time. Conversely, if you have made a silent retreat before, you’ll know how powerful and transforming an experience it can be.

Mike Playdon is a retired Minister of the United Reformed Church. He is a spiritual director and leads retreats and quiet days. He has been a Synod Silence & Retreats Co-­‐ordinator, and currently serves on the core groups of the URC Retreats Group and the Leicester Diocesan Spirituality Network.

7-­‐9 February 2014

Faith, Hope & Chronic Illness

£140

With Fran Kissack Retreat This is a retreat for those who live with chronic illness and disability – whether as a sufferer or living with someone with a chronic illness.

Bodies are important. We experience the world through our bodies and we relate to one another and our environment through our bodies. ‘We are our bodies’ is much closer to the biblical understanding of human beings as body, mind and spirit than the Greek philosophical idea of the ‘real me’ being spirit, and our bodies being mere shells.

What sort of spirituality nourishes and sustains us in situations of long-­‐term illness and disability? This retreat will be an opportunity to share our stories and discover and offer mutual support. We will explore the following:

• •

What does it mean to be ‘made in the image of God’ if our bodies are not whole?

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Hope: for what can we hope? When is hope an authentically faithful response, and when is it simply refusing to face reality? How does hope sustain us?

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Where can we find communities of support and nourishment within the Church?

Healing & wholeness: how we can be whole when our bodies are not; what we ought to pray for; what we can expect from God.

Revd Fran Kissack is an experienced United Reformed Church minister currently serving as a Chaplain to the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

31 March -­‐ 3 April 2014

Touching the Cloak: A Healing Retreat

£200

With Pat Marsh Retreat This retreat aims to explore and facilitate deeper levels of healing.

Come and be transformed by immersing yourself in Biblical stories of healing. Through poetry, music and imaginative reflection with the Scriptures, we will invite the Jesus who heals to be present to us in our woundedness in deep, renewing ways.

The retreat will be suitable for any who want to experience deeper levels of God’s healing grace, and also for those who simply want to be refreshed.

Pat Marsh works full time as an award-­‐winning writer, speaker, prayerful listener and retreat leader. She has significant experience of helping people to receive healing through imaginative contemplation with the Scriptures and in 2010 was awarded a ministry scholarship to deepen her understanding of this topic.

The retreat will be based on materials that grew out of that study.

30 May -­‐ 1 June 2014

Discover the Authentic Self: Be Your Potential

£150

With Joseph Clough Retreat Take a moment to imagine a life free of the limitations that prevent you from being the real you. If you were able to access a deep inner strength, how would that transform your emotional well-­‐being? How would it change your health, relationships and career?

Are you ready to live life knowing your full worth and having the confidence and skills to act on it? During this retreat, Joseph will show you how to discover the authentic, powerful self that has always been inside you and how to develop core beliefs that can unlock success in every area of your life.

You will have the opportunity to learn strategies for:

• • • •

Releasing negative emotions and limiting thoughts Taking charge of your own future Developing core beliefs that serve you Increasing your effectiveness in all areas of your life

Joseph Clough is a #1 Bestselling Author with over 100 hours of free hypnosis and coaching MP3s streaming which have been downloaded over 1,000,000 times in total and are listened to over 100,000 times every month. Joseph used to suffer with anxiety, fears and low self esteem but has learnt how to overcome these limiting thoughts and today is committed to sharing this knowledge in order to help everyone discover their authentic self and become their full potential.

To find out more about Joseph, visit: www.josephclough.com, http://www.facebook.com/Josephsfanpage, or https://twitter.com/JosephClough *Limited to 45 people – Joseph’s last event sold out in 48 hours*

20-­‐21 June 2014

Soulfood: Women’s Retreat Day

£80

With Kate Gray Retreat Take time out to nourish your spirit. The event includes visualisation; meditation; pampering; time for art and journal decorating; reading; rest; silence and of course yummy food. There will also be the option of input (in 2 sessions of 1 hour each) on specific topics of interest, for those who feel they would like that in their retreat. This 24-­‐event is designed to appeal particularly to women who are usually very busy with work and/or family -­‐ and it's ideal for women who are Elders too.

30 June -­‐ 3 July 2014 15-­‐19 September 2014

Windermere Refresher Lite The Windermere Refresher

£250 £350

If you don’t go away from a refresher course refreshed, enthused, inspired, challenged, relaxed and recharged, the course hasn’t done its job! The Windermere Centre has run Ministers’ Refresher courses for years; our offerings this year are designed to be suitable for both ministers and lay people alike.

The theme focuses on Creation: our relationship with the planet as our God-­‐given human home and our stewardship of its resources. We will share some of the most recent developments in biblical and theological scholarship, while the theme enables you to engage with one of the most pressing questions facing the Church and encourages you to reflect. All this happens in the beautiful Lake District, with space to ‘be’ and plenty of fun and fellowship to share.

The Refresher will encompass four core areas:

1.

Bible study Lawrence will lead the group in Bible studies:

• • •

Genesis 1-­‐3: Creation and fallenness Isaiah: Creation and the Peaceable Kingdom Paul: Creation and re-­‐creation

2.

“Touch the Earth Lightly” We’ll explore ideas around sustainability through a guided exploration of our natural environment, with a session dry-­‐stone walling out in the Lakes.

3.

Being Refreshed There will be activities specifically designed to ensure that you are relaxed and recharged, including time spent in the Lake District and an evening outing filled with good food & entertainment.

4.

Worship: The worship on our Refresher is a little different: we aim to stimulate all the senses and offer worship experiences you’ve never had before, including drawing everything together with a lakeside Communion.

We cater for special diets and for people with mobility issues.

Windermere Online Thursdays, Autumn 2013

“Take away” Webinars: The Apostle’s Creed FREE

With Lawrence Moore A series of 5 free, bite-­‐sized webinars exploring the Apostles’ Creed. Don’t imagine this is a series of lectures about some dry, complicated Christian doctrines! This explores the heart of our faith – who God is, and why faith makes such a transforming difference to our lives.

If you’ve never tried a webinar (online seminar), why not dip your toe in the water? All you need is a computer with a broadband connection; you’ll be spending 45 minutes (7.30-­‐8.15 pm) listening and talking to the other people in the ‘room’. Register for as many or as few of the webinars as you like.

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3.

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5.

‘I believe …’: faith as belief; faith as trust; faith as faithfulness (September 5th, 7.30pm) ‘In God …’: God and creation; God’s power (September 12th, 7.30pm) ‘In Jesus Christ …’: Virgin birth; Good Friday; Easter Sunday (September 19th, 7.30pm) ‘In the Holy Spirit …’: the Church, the communion of saints (September 26, 7.30pm) ‘Forgiveness, resurrection and everlasting life‘ (October 3rd, 7.30pm)

27-­‐31 January 2014

Windermere Online Festival

FREE

With Lawrence Moore, Rebecca Gudgeon and friends For one week only, we will be providing you with hours and hours of free online content: there will be tutorials for iChurch, social media and computing skills; there will be introductions to Windermere Centre courses; there will be opportunities to share conversations and workshops with others; and there will be an exclusive Bible study course led by Lawrence Moore (details below). This event will bring together a broad range of people as we explore the potential power of the internet as a tool for learning together and sharing our faith. Come and get involved!

All content broadcast during the week is being provided free of charge; in addition, there will be the opportunity to purchase the recordings of some of the sessions along with course notes etc, and to sign up for future events in our Windermere Online programme. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest, watch our website or get in touch to find out more detail as the time approaches.

January 2014

Between the Covers of the Old Testament

With Lawrence Moore (as part of the Windermere Online Festival) Maybe the Old Testament is a closed book to you. Or maybe it’s a disconnected patchwork of stories you remember from Sunday School. Or maybe some of the stories and the pictures of God deeply trouble you, so that you avoid it as much as possible.

The Hebrew Scriptures were Jesus’ heritage and they’re ours. They are exciting, enriching, perplexing, intriguing and transforming! Come and discover the world and content of the Old Testament in a 10-­‐ session series. Each bite-­‐sized session lasts 45 minutes, with time for input and discussion. Register for as many or as few as suits you!

1. ‘In the beginning’ – world gone wrong 2. The God who makes promises – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 3. The God who delivers – Exodus, Mt Sinaii and the Law 4. Doing politics differently – the Judges 5. ‘I wouldn’t start from here …’ – Kingship: Saul, David, Solomon 6. ‘Yahweh is the Daddy’ – Prophets vs kings and priests 7. The God who breaks covenant? – Exile in Babylon 8. ‘I wish this wasn’t in here’ – dark and difficult passages 9. ‘It’s not just a man’s world’ – women of the Old Testament 10. Looking for a saviour – Israel’s hoped-­‐for Messiah Coming Soon

The “Big Stories” of the Bible

With Lawrence Moore This is a 12-­‐unit online course to familiarise participants with the “Big Stories” of the Bible. Each unit lasts for 1 hour. The first unit explores the notion of the Bible as a single book with 2 testaments, or covenants; this is followed by 5 units on the content and significance of the Old Testament. There are 6 units on the New Testament.

This course is great for interested church members who want to discover more about what is in the Bible and why it matters. No previous experience is presumed or required! On the other hand, Bible study leaders, ministers and lay preachers will find it useful because we will be using narrative and contextual approaches to the Bible that may be new to them and which focus on the form and content of the biblical material, rather than obscure facts of history.

If you’re interested in this course, come and join in with our Windermere Online Festival in January 2014 to find out more!

Information How to find out more Visit our site: http://windermere.urc.org.uk

How to get in touch The Windermere Centre Lake Road Windermere LA23 2BY 015394 44902 windermere.centre@gmail.com

How to book Call us or download a booking form from our website and send it in to us with a £30 per person non-­‐refundable deposit to secure your booking.

How to get here The Windermere Centre is easier to get to than you may think! Trains run regularly from Windermere to Oxenholme, which is on the West Coast Main Line, and the Centre is about 15 minutes’ walk from the station. If you’re coming by car, leave the M6 at Junction 36 and follow signs for Windermere: we’re mid-­‐way between Windermere and Bowness, just off the main road.

How to access the Hannah Fund The Hannah Fund exists to ensure that no-­‐one is prevented by cost from coming to the Centre. To find out more, please call the Centre.

The Windermere Centre is a United Reformed Church Resource Centre for Learning

http://windermere.urc.org.uk Cover Image: The Windermere Centre by Sarah Edwards