Sessions and seminars on Sunday 25 May at Cliff Festival
Sunday Morning
When Cultures Collide: Pioneering places of holiness in a seemingly unholy culture 11:15am-12:15pm | Join us for this panel session with a difference. Together we’ll dig down into what it means to pioneer places of holiness within cultures which can so often seem unholy. The early Methodist Movement committed itself to the mission of spreading scriptural holiness across the land, and we’ll explore how it feels to practice a faith today that can feel counter cultural. | Hope & Anchor |
The Bible and Mission 11:15am-12:15pm | When we read the Bible, do we look for scattered stories of mission or can we trace a missional thread through the whole of Scripture? This seminar will explore some ways to help us consider the Bible as the story of God’s mission from beginning to end. | Janet Unsworth Library |
Walking with the Bereaved 11:15am-12:15pm | This seminar explores the biblical promise of beauty instead of ashes and joy instead of mourning, reflecting on our call to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. We will discuss how to provide signposting after a bereavement and, importantly, how to support the bereaved in church and community, offering love and compassion after someone has died. | Seminar Room 1 |
Hospitable Holiness and the Mission of the Church 11:15am-12:15pm | In this seminar, we will explore the relationship within Scripture between hospitality and holiness, focusing especially on how the link between the two reflects the mission of God (missio Dei). As well as focusing on the holy hospitality of God, we will consider ways in which hospitable holiness within the church – individually and corporately – can shape its mission today. | Samuel Chadwick Lecture Room |
Sunday Afternoon
Accessible Kids and Youth Ministry 1:30pm-2:30pm | We are seeing a huge increase in children and young people struggling to join in with church. We want everyone to know that church is a place where they can come, belong and join in. 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, tools that use that knowledge in our kids/youth ministries and how to cope with sensory overload. | Seminar Room 1 |
The Beauty of Holiness 1:30pm-2:30pm | ‘The glory of God is seen in a human being fully alive’ – Irenaeus. In this down-to-earth practical, interactive seminar, Roy will invite us to explore God’s invitation to live beautifully, ably, appropriately and healthily in ways that are not only good for us but for the world. If you think holiness is about being narrow, confining or sanctimonious, you're in for a shock! | Roy Searle Library |
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. | Ministries Team |
Craftisivism - Creating Hope Together 2pm-3:30pm | Do you sometimes feel despair at the scale of injustice all around us, and wonder how it’s even possible to make a difference? Craftivism offers a way to gather people together to create hope in the face of overwhelming injustice. In this session, we will be working together to create a banner from recycled and scrap materials, as we reflect on how to keep hoping and working for change when times are tough. | Samuel Chadwick Lecture Room |
Sunday Afternoon cont
Doing Things Differently 3pm-4pm | Hear about the way God is moving in new and exciting ways in the Methodist church, how people are responding creatively, and be inspired for your own context. | Hope & Anchor |
Evangelism as a Normal Part of Church Life 3pm-4pm | How do we structure church life to make it easier for unchurched people to find faith in Jesus and join in as his disciples. Lots of practical ideas for every church. | Library |
Do Churches Really Need to Close? 3pm-4pm | Fearful your church may close? A chance to consider the impact and alternatives to church closure alongside the realities of what happens if they do for the church members and local community. Perhaps God isn't finished with us yet after all! | Terrace Tent |
Spreading Spiritual Holiness #2 3pm-4pm | A movement of unbounded grace. At our best, Methodists recognise our need to rely upon the grace of God. Making space for God’s grace to be at work in and through us is vitally important. This is the second in a series of three connected seminars over the weekend, but will also be valuable on its own. | Seminar Room 1 |
Sunday Late Afternoon
Mission Ignition! 4:30pm-5:30pm | Are you wondering how to help your church to grow? Are you curious about how to creatively engage in mission in your community? What’s your church’s future story? Come and play the mission incubator game with the Evangelism and Growth team to get new ideas, inspiration and fuel for mission. | Hope & Anchor |
The Power We Hold 4:30pm-5:30pm | A space to reflect on our call to be justice seeking and welcoming disciples and how we hold and use power in our relationships, churches and communities. | Library |
New Monasticism and the Pursuit of Holiness 4:30pm-5:30pm | In a restless world, ancient monastic rhythms offer a path to deeper holiness through New Monasticism, which combines contemplation with action for purposeful living. Ish Lennox is passionate about renewing Christian discipleship using New Monasticism. With over 20 years of experience in pastoral ministry and intentional Christian communities, she helps individuals deepen their spiritual lives through prayer, simplicity, and communal living. | Seminar Room 1 |
Hack Your Holiness Online! 4:30pm-5:30pm | Discover how to cultivate spiritual growth in the digital age with "Hack Your Holiness Online!"—a dynamic seminar blending faith and technology. Learn practical strategies to stay spiritually grounded while navigating social media, digital communities and online distractions. Whether you're a tech-savvy believer or just starting your digital faith journey, this seminar will equip you with the tools to thrive spiritually in an always-connected world! | Samuel Chadwick Lecture Room |
Sunday Evening
A Lifted Life: Happiness and Holiness in Christ 9:30pm-10:30pm | Today, people are increasingly interested in wellbeing. People want to know how to truly flourish. Do we not have a gospel message that addresses that? Paul the Apostle was convinced that our union with Christ allows us to live at a lifted level of happiness and peace, raised above our inward troubles while we allow the Spirit to continue his work in us. Come and explore some steps towards this lifted life. | Samuel Chadwick Lecture Room |
This information will be available in May 2025.