A Taste of Shalom: A Peace School/SPEAK taster day
Posted: 19 March, 01:12 by Jon Dorsett
Over the past few years a number of people have said that they would like to engage with some of the Peace School themes and material, but either aren’t able to sign up for the full year programme or are a little intimidated by starting with a week long residential where they don’t know what to expect or anyone else taking part. So, both to resource people with a one-day space for theological reflection on shalom activism, and to enable potential participants to gain a flavour of what Peace School might be like, we have teamed up with our friends at the SPEAK Network to put on a taster day in Manchester this May.
The taster day will encompass all the essential elements of Peace School, from the home-cooked/fairtrade/organic/locally-produced/delicious food, to the stimulating conversations and connections made with fellow participants. We’ll be exploring some of the material and themes of Peace School as well as looking at some exciting aspects of the SPEAK Network’s community and campaigning.
The day has been designed to be stand-alone for those who feel the need for a little theological reflection, so please don’t feel that you need to be considering signing up to Peace School to come along and take part.
So when and where is it?
Date: Saturday 15th May 2010
Time: 09.30 – 16.00 (with additional pub visit afterwards)
Location: Brunswick Parish Church, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9YX
Cost: FREE!
What will be covered?
The day will be split into five sections –
Biblical blindness – exploring our worldviews; what do we see/hear? What don’t we see/hear? And why does it matter. Using visual and practical activities this session will open up our thinking to how we are socially and culturally conditioned to particular ways of viewing the world, and begin to explore how to find a view more aligned with God’s preference for the poor and oppressed.
Where’s your Worship – to what do we give worth? Where do our motivations lie? And how do our actions mirror our values. Using self reflection and discussion this will enable us to examine our own values as well as our deeper psychological motivations, and enable us to begin to align ourselves more towards our chosen set of values.
Cosmic Connectedness – What is the biblical worldview? What does wholeness look like in humankind? What does wholeness look like in creation? With some presentation, some discussion, and some creative activities we will explore the biblical vision of Shalom and how it gives us as Christians an integrated worldview.
Mission Minded – So what does the shalom vision mean for mission? What does our activism look like in the light of this understanding? Investigating mission as bringing wholeness to individuals and creation, we will look at the prophetic role of challenging the false and creating life-giving alternatives, as well as at some practical and direct ways to take action.
Sustaining Solidarity – In it for the long-haul? How do we sustain our activism/mission in a world of seemingly opposite values? And how can we be part of something bigger than ourselves? Discovering the joys and necessity of community, prayer and the global community of likeminded people (commonly called the Church).
A vegan soup lunch will be provided as will fairtrade tea and coffee. It is however essential that you book so that we have a good idea of numbers for catering and planning. Please email info@peaceschool.org.uk if you are planning on coming along, and we’ll look forward to seeing you there!
Workshop – Living Community – 20th/21st March 2010 + others. Facing Difference: Building interfaith relationships of respect in Sheffield – by Aglaia Barraclough