Equip Update

Dear , We’re now in Lent and Holy Week is approaching- a season where we focus on Jesus’ journey to the cross and the ways we can reconnect with God. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on our habits – how we grow in the ones that bring life and leave the less helpful ones behind. In a recent Lent Live session with Jason Porterfield, I was struck by his continuous and faithful treading amidst gritty circumstances. He has made his home in places abandoned by society, from Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods to the slums of Indonesia. His passion is to cultivate God’s shalom wherever it is painfully absent. In his book he explores practical peace-making skills as it examines how Jesus waged peace on each day of Holy Week. A question was asked: how do we keep going when having experienced relational disappointments and hurt? He offered the phrase ‘stay sensitive’, referencing Mother Theresa. It gives a sense of staying open that when things get hard this does not have to be the final word. Keeping our eyes to the horizon, ready to observe God’s Spirit at work. Emma Crick de Boom Diocese of Coventry, Reconciliation Enabler

The Difference course 2024 Exploring what it means to follow Jesus in the face of difference, disagreement conflict and see transformation through everyday encounters. Wednesdays – 17th April-15th May,7:30pm-9pm On Zoom Read more

Pause and Consider Anna being reminded of the importance of taking the time to pause and consider a different perspective before responding. Watch video

Communicating Effectively This session will explore fundamental techniques and principles of good communication that can make sermons more engaging and more effective. Tuesday 21st May, 7-9pm St. Nicholas, Alcester Read more

Conflict Transformation Group We are looking for people join the Conflict Transformation Group. In this video Emma Crick de Boom, Reconciliation Enabler for the Diocese of Coventry, discusses the role and explains how to get involved. To find out more about the Conflict Transformation Group, contact Emma.CrickdeBoom@Coventry.Anglican.Org Watch video

Upcoming Courses & Events Click the titles of any of the below courses and events to read more about it. Building relationship with your local schools This session will be sharing and understanding what you can and can’t do it a community or CofE school as a local church. As part of the session we will be sharing ideas to make the most of festivals and blessing the school staff. We will be including fruitful examples from our experiences and look forward to you sharing your own experiences. This session will be lead by the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) and Growing Faith teams. Wednesday 17th April, 7-9pm St Gabriel’s School, Clifton upon Dunsmore, Rugby Difficult conversations Conversations can be difficult for all kinds of reasons. We will be looking at how we navigate conversations where disagreement, challenge, and hurt arise in a pastoral context. We will also consider how we can end a visit or a period of visiting well. This session will be lead by Anna Naish and Lou Peet Monday 22nd April, 7-9pm. St John Westwood, Coventry Leading Worship – Structure & Flexibility Consider variation of pace, use of unscripted interaction, and the importance of worship leaders being sensitive and responsive to those they are leading When: 29th April 2024, 7-9pm Venue: St. Peter & St. John, Rugby P.L.F. – Good Conversations that Engage with Difference Explore principles for good dialogue – including deep listening, self-awareness, understanding the other and sharing authentically Thursday 2nd May, 9:30am – 12 noon Venue TBC P.L.F – Practical Skills for difficult conversations This workshop looks to equip people on skills needed to facilitate difficult conversations. Date: Either 2 online session on 8th & 15th May or an in-person session on 15th May. Themes of suffering in the Bible This course will draw on the Bible to help us reflect on suffering in the past and how it helps us to respond to it now Wednesdays 5th June – 3rd July, 7:30pm – 9pm On Zoom Using Place & Space Explore ways in which the physical space in which worship takes place influence’s people’s experience and engagement Tuesday 18th June, 7-9pm St. Paul’s, Leamington View our calendar All of our upcoming courses and events can been seen on our brand new calendar.