Faith on the Frontiers: Autumn series at St Martin in the Fields

Some interesting speakers and topics at St Martin in the Fields in London - a stone's throw from Charing Cross Station. Can the church find a new heart and spirit? Join us to hear an inspirational set of speakers discuss "Faith on the Frontiers" in this year's Autumn Education Series at St Martin-in-the-Fields. View this email in your browser

Faith on the Frontiers What does it mean to live as a minority group where one’s faith is not shared or comprehended by the majority of people with whom one lives and works? Our Autumn Education Series 2013 examines what it means to have faith when one’s faith is on a particular frontier, challenged by others and challenging the prevailing culture.   Faith on the Frontiers seeks to explore these realities. Can a church living at the edges of its experience rediscover its own true vocation and voice? Can it find new heart and new spirit? A leading group of speakers tackle these questions from different perspectives with the opportunity for questions from the floor. This exciting lecture series is open to all. There is a suggested donation of £5 for each lecture. Monday 23 September, 7.00pm On the Frontiers of a World City - a Panel Discussion Featuring Mark Oakley, Rosemarie Mallett and Clare Herbert Mark Oakley is Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral and a highly regarded author, lecturer and broadcaster on human rights, poetry and the arts, and the place of faith in the contemporary world. Rosemarie Mallett is a parish priest, academic and community worker, and vicar of St John the Evangelist, Angell Town, Brixton. Clare Herbert is Lecturer in Inclusive Theology at St Martin-in-the-Fields and a former social worker and counselor. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in the pastoral care of gay and lesbian people. Monday 7 October, 7.00pm On the Frontiers of a Male Church June Osborne June Osborne is one of the most senior women priests in the Church of England and has long championed respect and inclusion in the church. She is currently Dean of Salisbury Cathedral. Monday 21 October, 7.00pm Faith of the Frontiers: Stanley Hauerwas in conversation with Sam Wells Stanley Hauerwas is Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke University, North Caroline and was named 'America's Best Theologian' by Time Magazine in 2001. Sam Wells is vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and author of 18 books on the subjects of Christian ethics, local mission, Christian discipleship and Anglicanism.  Monday 4 November, 7.00pm On the Frontiers: Violence, Nonviolence and the Earth Alastair McIntosh Alastair McIntosh is a Scottish scholar, educator, broadcaster and spiritual activist. Recent books include "Soil and Soul: People versus Corporate Power," and "Rekindling Community: Connecting People, Environment and Spirituality." Monday 11 November, 7.00pm On the Frontiers of Modern China Baron Christopher Patten of Barnes Chris Patten was the last British Governor of Hong Kong and has written extensively on Hong Kong and foreign affairs. He is currently chair of the BBC Trust and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Monday 18 November, 7.00pm On the Frontiers of Atheism Richard Kearney Richard Kearney is a prolific scholar and artist with more than 20 books on contemporary European philosophy, narrative theory, and postmodern Christianity, two novels and a volume of poetry. His latest book, "Anatheism" (2009), charts a path for 'returning to God after God.' Click here for more information about the speakers

Antoinette Tuff

There is a lovely article in today's Guardian, about Antoinette Tuff's remarkable achievement in talking down a gunman who threatened yet another school massacre at her school. Top marks to Gary Younge for a very thoughtful, open-minded and intelligent appraisal of the value of faith in helping people to deal with what life throws at them. Highly recommended.

The heroism of Antoinette Tuff reveals what's missing from politics

The way she talked down a gunman at her school, armed only with her faith, shows we needn't assume the worst in others.

"Explore" relationship workshops - volunteers needed.

By Ian Harkness from The Explore Experience.

Could you help with a worthwhile educational project by the charity Explore aimed at helping young people understand about relationships?

The vast majority of young people (over 90% according to MORI) hold very real and deep aspirations for having an enduring and meaningful relationship, and a healthy family life that is probably through the institution of marriage.

But did you know that less than 5% of today’s young people have ever had the chance to hold a detailed and open conversation with a parent, relative, teacher or adult on the subject?

Explore runs workshops in secondary schools targeted for  sixth formers to give them that chance to discover  what it takes to maintain successful relationships.

Explore applies the principle of learning by experience, where young people themselves  lead their own question and answer sessions  to investigate the relationships of ordinary couples who, in response, answer with  the experience of their own marriage. The young people are prepared and supported to draw conclusions from these dialogues which will lead them into seeing, through the life experience of our volunteers,  some of the moral components and life skills that produce enduring and healthy relationships, family life and marriage in today’s society.

The workshops are organised and led by trained Explore staff.

We arrange for volunteer married couples to come to schools to engage with groups of about 20 students at a time.

 

Commitment is light, generally no more than two workshops a year, and most of our volunteers find it an enjoyable experience. Training is given.

 

Some questions which have been asked of our volunteers by students recently:

Why did you get married?

Did you worry that you wouldn’t get on with your inlaws?

Did the inlaws  influence your decision to marry?

Were you worried it wouldn’t last?

How old were you when you got married?

Are you still attracted to each other?

We need:

Couples – prepared to answer questions put to them by young people about their relationship, family life and marriage.

We provide a briefing for couples and endeavour to only use couples once or twice a year to ensure freshness and spontaneity in the dialogue. More information is available on our leaflet which can be downloaded from our website theexploreexperience.co.uk;

SEAL HISTORY GROUP

The second meeting of this group will be held on 9th September at 7.45 pm in church. The evening will include an introduction to Parish Churches from June Richards, a short guided tour of the Church with Anne Le Bas and short talk from Peter Mountfield about the rood screen. 

For more information please contact, Anna Linley at 01732 760095

Sept 21st - Keep the date!

Seal's Village Fete takes place this year on Saturday September 21st, with lots of stalls, activities and fun on offer. All it needs to be a success is people! We need people to come on the day, of course, but also to offer to man stalls, set up and clear away, bake cakes and tray bakes for the afternoon teas, provide prizes for the tombola and bottles of wine for the "Water and Wine" stall etc... If you can help, please contact Marion Gilchrist on 01732 763727. Donations can be brought to the vicarage or to a Sunday service, but please don't leave them in church when no one's there, in case they go missing!

September "In Review" from the Church of England

Links to September's news from the Church of England, "In Review" and "In Focus "can be found below.

In Review The September edition of In Reviewfeaturing news of Archbishop Justin's support of Credit Unions and the Pension Board's Annual results is now availablehere. In Focus The September edition of In Focusfeaturing news of Archbishop Sentamu's support for the launch of the Living Wage mission is now available here.  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Archbishops' Council, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 27 Gt Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ