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When some of the Diocesan Officers at Holywell Lodge met recently to catch up on Vision for Action news we were greatly encouraged by the success stories that have been received from parishes and the initiatives that are underway. Thank you for all you are doing to make the link between us. Please continue to make use of us - we are here to help.
Boards and Committees are also actively taking forward the proposals set out in the Vision for Action policy document:
These are just a few examples of the work going on 'at the Centre'. If you would like to know more about these, or any other events please contact me spope@stalbans.anglican.org or my PA Lynne Griffiths lgriffiths@stalbans.anglican.org
Many groups and individuals across the Diocese have been supported by this fund which aims to support initiatives that promote education, spirituality, witness and service. Projects that are currently in consideration in parishes may benefit from an application to the Fund. For more information: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/finance/verulamfund.html or contact Ian Palmer on 01727 854532.
Many thanks to you all for providing us with information for the profile we are working on for the Link Group. We hope to have this available on line and in paper form by the end of February.
Last month we asked for some feedback. This is just a reminder of the dates:
Please could all Link Group members e-mail John Kiddle (j.kiddle@btopenworld.com) to give a brief report of how your work is progressing and what reactions you have had from the parishes. John would also like to hear of any areas that you consider have not been addressed thus far. John will use your feedback as the basis of a report to a group which includes the Bishop of St Albans and the chairs of the boards.
So that we can keep the dialogue going between the Link Group and the boards and committees it would be very helpful if by mid-2006 each parish had submitted a Vision for Action story via the Vision for Action form and had asked something of the boards and committees, for example, for advice on a building project or on encouraging young people to come to church. From this we will all be able to share our experiences and learn from each other. The form is available from the website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/visionforaction/v4areportform.doc
Please do keep looking at the Vision for Action pages of the website for news and resources. This e-mail is also uploaded each month here: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/visionforaction/linkgroup.htm
John Kiddle and Bishop Richard attended the recent conference looking at Vision for Action hosted by the DEF. The feedback has been positive. We would welcome more views from anyone who attended the day. The DEF has a website: http://www.stalbansdef.org.uk/
John Kiddle has put together a leaflet about growing Vision for Action in the pariah. A copy is attached.
Considering where your individual story fits into God's Story is a fundamental question for all Christians and is one explored in a new course written and produced by clergy from our Diocese.. The course begins with our stories and then explores God's great story in Jesus Christ. It looks at our corporate life as the people of God, and then honestly faces the difficulties that Christian belief can pose today. Finally, it challenges us to renew our commitment to God, and to serving him in his mission. "God's Story in Action" has been written by a team from the Diocese led by the Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Inwood. The course, which is divided into six sessions, comes with a pack comprising books for twelve participants, a leader's booklet and a DVD. Each pack costs £20 and is available from the Diocesan Resource Centre. Contact Ron Upton on 01727 818158 to order your copy.
On Saturday 20th May 2006 there will be an International Links Evening. This is a follow-up to the information obtained through last year's Archdeacons' Articles of Enquiry. It will be co-hosted by CPWM, the Caribbean Links Group, and the Europe Group, and invitations will be going out shortly to parishes who have indicated that they would like a link with a parish somewhere in the world.
Some Training events coming up...
28th Feb - 1st March 2006
at Charity Centre, Stevenson Way, London
Cost: from £195 (for organisations, eg. Parishes, under a certain turnover).
A two day course in which participants identify practical ways to improve the following leadership practices: inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process; enabling others to act; modelling the way forward.
Contact: Ann Hemsworth
Tel No: 0113 293 7494
Email: ann@elancama.org.uk
12th - 15th June 2006
at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney
A four day conference specifically designed for clergy and lay leaders from across different traditions and denominations who are looking for help and encouragement in leading their church into growth.
www.commstraining.cofe.anglican.org
Tel No: 020 7898 1458/65
Email: comms.training@c-of-e.org.uk
Creating a User Friendly Church
25 April 2006 at Methodist Church House 25 Marylebone Road London, NW1 5JR
Cost: £95
Check how "user-friendly" your Church is and how well it is communicating both with its congregation and with those you want to reach. We look at issues including: church notice boards, disabled access, web sites, basic media relations.
Countryside and Church:
Contemporary Challenges
15-17 March 2006 at Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick
Cost: £150
A conference for lay and ordained people engaged in and committed to Christian ministry, mission and community development in rural Britain.
Up to £100, 000 of additional financial help with repairs to historic churches and chapels of all denominations in parts of Beds and North Herts will be available in 2006 as a result of an agreement between the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust and WREN, Waste Recycling Environment Ltd. For further information about the agreement, contact: Aymeric Jenkins (Chairman, BHHCT) on 01582 760 891 or Richard Genochio (Secretary, BHHCT) on 01763 287 749 or Stephen Parr (Managing Director, WREN) on 01953 717 165. For information about grants from BHHCT for building repairs to churches, chapels or Quaker meeting houses, contact Archie Russell (Grants Secretary) at Wychbrook, 31 Ivel Gardens, Biggleswade, Beds. SG18 0AN or call on 01767 312 966.
Geoff Fletcher, the Diocesan Stewardship Officer, will be making the following visits to PCCs / Finance or Stewardship committees in February: 15 or 16 Feb St Andrew's Watford Stewardship Group; 19 Feb St Mary's Pirton to preach; 21 St Nicholas Stevenage PCC; 22 St James Goffs Oak PCC.
The latest issue in PDF form here
The dates are 3rd - 5th March (14 - 18 yr olds), 31st March - 2nd April (14-18 yr olds), 5th - 7th May (11 - 14 yr olds), 7th - 9th May (14 - 18 yr olds). Each weekend will have a different theme but all will consider mission and God working in our community and in our world. Application forma are available here http://www.voicemail.org.uk/online/voicemail/events/pdf.asp For further detail call the Diocesan Youth Service: 01727 818160.