As summer approaches, I’ve been thinking about how to make sure everyone’s as ready as possible for all they’re planning. This new forum for sharing ideas and training may help make advice and resources more accessible.
We’re starting a few drop in clinics, so clergy (particularly new incumbents/curates) and other church staff with a range of small questions can come and ask the various advisors at LDH, without having to book meetings or have a query big enough for a meeting. It’s a new idea for us, but hopefully one that will make it easier for parishes to get everything they need in one place, a bit like a supermarket.
The idea sprung out of a conversation Sam Donoghue and I had about training – although lots of people are trying something new this summer, there are so many different options for mission that formal training events for any but the most popular options are impractical due to low numbers. But providing an environment where advice and printed resources are available to explore, so conversations can be started and planning moved on a stage or two, could be helpful. If this proves popular and a bigger group forms, it may be necessary to theme Olympics clinics to cover topics in enough depth, and create conditions for a good discussion forum.
While I was planning that for the Olympics, it made sense to offer advice on everything, to make it worth the journey. As the first and fourth floors of LDH have joined together and gone open-plan, I’ve noticed that people will ring to speak to each ministry advisor in turn, when in reality we’re sitting within feet of each other. So we’ll all be in the hall, ready to discuss what you’re up to, and help you to do it really well.
Advisers will be available for Olympics/Paralympics/Jubilee; CRB & Safeguarding; Environmental Challenge; Church maintenance, and for some sessions, Community Ministry. Finance, Children’s Ministry, and other topics may also be covered – for accurate details, check the events calendar nearer the time. The sessions will be in the Hall, which is on the second floor of Diocesan House, 36, Causton Street. The dates are as follows:
- 30 April from 10am-12 noon
- 28 May from 3-5pm
- 28 June from 4-5pm
- 12 July from 3-5pm
Because it’s such a new idea, if you’d like to come, please let me know (Email: elizabeth.harrison [at] london.anglican.org), with an idea of who you’d like to speak to. It’ll help give an idea of numbers so we’re well set up, though feel free just to drop in. Of course, we’re all still as available as ever, by email, phone and in person. You’re welcome to come to these sessions and speak with us - this might be an easy way to tackle small questions before they become big issues.
