Sessions and seminars on Monday 26 May at Cliff Festival
Monday early afternoon
The Invitation of Campfires 1:30pm-2:30pm | In this session we will explore how the use of campfires and storytelling has fostered a space where people feel able to be vulnerable, inviting us to delve deeper into the nature of the divine. We will look at the role of vulnerability in new worshipping communities, reflect on why this is significant and explore how we can foster a vulnerable space in our own communities. | Library |
Accessible Churches- Come, Belong and Join in 1:30pm-2:30pm | We want church to be accessible to everyone. God calls us to be family which includes learning, serving, and worshipping all together. We will explore what additional needs can look like, why we as Christians are called to welcome, how God speaks to us through our senses and how we can use that knowledge in our congregations to help everyone to come, belong and join in. | Seminar Room 1 |
Ministries Drop-in 2pm-3pm | A drop-in session with one of the Methodist Church Ministries, Vocation and Worship team. If you’re sensing a call to explore lay leadership or ordained ministry, or considering worship leading or local preaching, this is a space to find out more and ask any questions in an informal chat. The Ministries team also support those already in ministry. | Hope & Anchor |
The Cliff Year: info session 2pm-2:30pm | Find out more about the Cliff Year, Cliff College’s gap year programme for 18-25-year-olds and hear from some current Cliff Year participants about their experiences and why they would recommend the gap year to others. | Cliff College Chapel |
MET AGM 2:30pm-4pm | All welcome, whether MET members or not, for a time of inspiration, vision and hope as we venture forward with a renewed focus for the future. | Samuel Chadwick Lecture Room |
Monday afternoon
Climate Action for God’s Glory 3pm-4pm | Our obedience to God’s call is informed by prayer, which also informs our prophetic actions that witness to the damage humans are causing to God’s world and to the injustices that are exacerbated by the climate crisis. As Christians we should honour the two great commandments, and, knowing that where human-made systems fail to ensure love for our neighbours, we must adhere to God’s higher law. Join us to discuss these principles of our faith and actions. | Library |
Trauma Informed Pastoral Care: Holy Ground 3pm-4pm | Recent years have seen significant developments within the areas of trauma studies as we constantly improve our understanding of how we experience and respond to trauma. Alongside this there has been much growth in how we understand the theology of trauma. We will explore some of the intersectionality between trauma studies and pastoral theology as we seek to make our pastoral practice trauma-informed. | Seminar Room 1 |
Holy and Human 4:30pm-5:30pm | Holiness is hard work! It’s crucial to find ways to think about how we live our lives with God’s call to be holy as we try to be faithful disciples of Christ. Join us as we explore ways of reflecting on our experiences and listening for God’s voice in all we do. We will draw on Scripture and a bit of A Methodist Way of Life! | Library |
TakeTime: Help Others Find Faith Through Meditation 4:30pm-5:30pm | Are you passionate about guiding people on their spiritual journey? This seminar introduces Taketime, a simple meditation practice that can help individuals encounter God and experience deeper spiritual connection. Experience Taketime firsthand and learn how you can share its transformative and therapeutic qualities with others. | Seminar Room 1 |
Spreading Spiritual Holiness #3 4:30pm-5:30pm | A movement of passionate disciples. The early growth of the Methodist movement was possible because an army of ordinary people were equipped and released as leaders, pioneers and pastors. Rediscovering how to multiply leadership, especially lay, is key to seeing our movement flourish again. This is the third in a series of three connected seminars over the weekend, but will also be valuable on its own. | Samuel Chadwick Lecture Room |