Category: Online

Give, act and pray to ensure people on the margins are fully involved as we journey together

About this Event

We live in tough times. The pandemic continues to highlight the inequalities that sweep too many people into poverty. But we have also been reminded of the values that matter most: mutuality, compassion and community. As we journey forward together, we have the chance to do things differently. If we are to build a society in which everyone can live a full life, free from poverty, we must ensure the voices of people who are struggling to make ends meet are heard.

Join people around the UK in prayer, giving and action at this special online event for Church Action on Poverty Sunday, hosted by Church Action on Poverty North East and Sunderland Minster.

Share a vision for a society founded on compassion and justice, where all people are able to exercise dignity, agency and power.

We will share together in worship and prayer. People will share their stories of poverty and speaking truth to power. We’ll hear from decision-makers in the North East about how we can all work together to loosen the grip of poverty. And you’ll learn how you can be part of the movement tackling poverty through giving, action and prayer.

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This post will expire on Sunday February 21st, 2021 11:59pm

At the beginning of a new year, it can be helpful to look back at the previous as we plan for what’s ahead. What have we learnt about technology, which platforms supported our communities, and how are we maintaining engagement in services and events online? 

Join this one-hour discussion with our guest panellists as we look back at the things we’ve learnt in 2020 and discuss what we’ll be taking into 2021 and beyond.

💬 Joining our panel

• Revd Bill Braviner, Disability Adviser to the Diocese of Durham and Co-Founder of Disability & Jesus
• Emma Sijuwade, Social Media Consultant
• Niall Dunne, St Martin’s Church, Liskeard

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This post will expire on Friday January 29th, 2021 11:59pm

Geek Factory Online by South West Youth Ministries This two-day event for 11 to 16-year-olds is designed to attract those that love geeky things, such as gaming and quirky challenges. It will include lots of fun, challenges, and the chance to explore the deeper questions of life and to share the Gospel. It’s accessible for all young people at any stage of their faith and is highly interactive.

Geek Factory Online is taking all the elements that we know and love from Geek Factory 3.0, but placing it all online!

It is a two day extravaganza which will include online gaming tournaments, hilarious individual competitions off screen, group competitions, and leaders humiliated through your control and decision making! As well as all this, we will of course be looking at those more challenging and interesting questions in life through lots of discussions.

You will also get sent straight to your door a really cool mystery ‘Inventory Pack’ that will include lots of goodies, materials needed and sweets for you over the two days, which you get to keep forever!  

• Geek Factory Young Person (11-16)  £10 ×
• Geek Factory Leader  free ×

The theme for this event will be ‘Choose your adventure!’ This will involve you making lots of decisions that will impact what you do at Geek Factory Online such as what games you want to play or how to humiliate the leaders(!) and also explore how the decisions we make in life can have a lasting impact on everyone and everything around us.   This event promises to be highly entertaining and highly interactive all from the comfort of your own home! Don’t miss out, places are limited!    Please note all games used during the event are free to download or access. You will require the use of a PC, not a MAC. You will be provided with details of the games in advance when you sign up.

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This post will expire on Tuesday February 16th, 2021 11:59pm

Attentiveness & Action

Attentiveness & Action is a new workshop series exploring the tension that many pioneers experience between ‘being’ and ‘doing’.

Over the next few months, we’ll take different themes (including those that the network recently identified as being important at this time – Climate Change, Neighbourliness, Digital Church and Being a Non Anxious Presence) and invite different contributors to help us to reflect on them using the lenses of ‘attentiveness’ and ‘action’.

The workshops will take place on Zoom every other month and will cost £5 per person per event.

The second of the workshops will take place on

Tuesday 2nd FEBRUARY 2021, 10-11.30am on Zoom.

It will develop the theme of ‘Digital Church’ that Steve Jones introduced us to at our Houseparty @ Home Event in September and we’re delighted to announce it will be led by Andy Freeman. This session will be an extended theological reflection on the subjects and issues around Digital Church, particularly focusing on practical experiences and raising questions. Can community be formed and shared online? Has online delivery changed the geographical nature of church? As people access Netflix on the same machines they access online church should we be as professional and well delivered? We will use Killen and de Beer’s model of theological reflection to ponder metaphors, discuss perspectives and inform our practice. Expect discussion and debate, insight from people’s experience and the chance to share.

Andy is the founder of Space to Breathe, which brings together spirituality and wellbeing into an imaginative approach to self-care in local communities. Andy also works with the CMS Pioneer Training Course, where he ran the undergraduate programmes for five years and is now an Associate Tutor. Andy lives in Sheffield.

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This post will expire on Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 11:59pm

How can we cope with differences in opinion within the church?

If you are a student, graduate or early career scientist, we would love for you to join the new CiS CONNECT Conference 2021. We will be exploring controversial topics that can often divide the church and looking at the best ways to respond to these discussions.

The ticket will give you access to join each session and cover the cost to post and deliver a pack of conference goodies to your door!

Coping with Controversy – Conference Agenda (Timings TBC):

Friday PM :

• Welcome
• Gareth Jones – Coping with Controversy

Abstract: TBC

• Networking Opportunity

Saturday (all day):

• Welcome
• Prof Adrian Thatcher – Theology, Sexuality and Controversy

Abstract: TBC

• Discussion time
• Dr Cherryl Hunt – Abortion: Controversy? What controversy?

Abstract: TBC

• Discussion time
• Revd. Dr. Joanna Collicutt – Mental Health: I’m not supposed to feel like this – am I?

Abstract: This session will explore one aspect of the complex and challenging relationship between mental health and faith: Why is it that being a Christian doesn’t seem to make us immune from experiencing mental health problems? The exploration will focus on two issues: mental healing as a long game that involves the community and not just the individual, and the way some Christian teachings can be distorted in a way that impacts negatively on mental health.

• Discussion time
• Panel Q & A (plus Dr Anna Pearson , OB Award winner)

If you have any questions, please email our Development Officer, Steph, on steph.cis@outlook.com.

FAQs

Can I get a discounted ticket?

Yes! If you are a member of CIS, you can select for a discounted ticket. Students can get their first year of membership with CiS for FREE! You can also get discounted membership to CiS if you are a students who have already had their 1st year free and graduates in their first 2 years out of university. To become a member, please go to the Christians in Science website: www.cis.org.uk.

How do I get there?

Once you have registered, you will be given access to the conference event page. Here you will find a Zoom link which will become active at the start of the conference. You can access this from one device (phone, tablet, computer) per ticket.

What do I wear?

Pyjamas, onesie or formal wear. As long as you are comfortable!

What do I need?

Once you have purchased your ticket, you will receive a Conference Pack in the post. The only other thing you will need on the day is a device to get onto zoom.

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This post will expire on Saturday February 27th, 2021 11:59pm

Celebrate and discover innovative ministry

At a time when we’re surrounded by uncertainty there have been plenty of success stories shared by people who have stepped out of the boat and been creative in their children’s ministry. Our conference for 2021 will be a celebration of those success stories by bringing to you speakers and workshop leaders who will encourage us to be innovative in our practices so that we can really flourish in this season where everything we thought we knew has seemingly been turned upside down.

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This post will expire on Saturday February 13th, 2021 11:59pm

The UK is about to welcome hundreds of thousands of people from Hong Kong – find out how your church can make the most of this opportunity

About this Event

Large numbers of Hong Kongers are expected to come to the UK from the 31st of January 2021. The government has estimated that 130 000 people will come to the UK this year. But a survey published in the Guardian recently predicted that 300 000 will arrive in year one. This will be the biggest planned migration of people to the UK from outside of Europe since Windrush. 

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the church to play its part in welcome and witness with these newcomers. Join us for a very special evening on Zoom.

The event will be hosted by Dr Krish Kandiah

Speakers include:

Danielle Strickland (Boundless) / Pete Greig (24/7) / Winston Marshall (Mumford and Sons) / 
Henry Lu (COCM) / Emily Holden (Welcome Churches)
/ Derek Webley (co-chair of the Windrush Cross-government Working Group) / Natalie Williams (Jubilee Plus) / David Walker (Bishop of Manchester)

We will spend time:

– looking at the Bible’s teaching on hospitality.

– listening to the experiences of people who have recently arrived from Hong Kong.

– learning practical ways our churches can be Hong Kong Ready.

– praying about how we can show love and compassion to the newcomers.

There are limited spaces so book your place now.

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This post will expire on Thursday January 28th, 2021 11:59pm