The Nativity Factor

 From Stephen Harrison's wonderful a few smallish fish blog:

The Nativity Factor is a short film competition from ITN Productions and Jerusalem Productions, which asks entrants to tell the story of the Nativity in a new and creative way. The competition has run for the last four years and previously offered a prize of 5000 pounds.

This year "in an effort to reach a wider audience and bring The Nativity Factor community closer together during the Christmas season"  they added a new twist to the competition.

"Instead of submitting individual short films, contestants submitted themselves to take part in a professionally produced short film. The winners joined professionals in the filmmaking field for a weekend in London, where they received the mentoring experience of a lifetime."

They have produced two great films this year focusing on the message given by the angels.

The first, called "The Audition" is clearly targeted for an older audience. It is kind of confronting in the starkness of the story telling but it has a powerful ending.

The second film #Nativity is quirky but still delivers a great message.

Check them out:

Pilgrim Launch and Orientation

Mark the 25th of October in diaries now. That afternoon will be the date of the launch of the Pilgrim course in the diocese. Bishop Cameron Venables will do the launching as we embark on a great journey together. Noted in the Archbishop’s address to Synod this year, the Pilgrim course is a great resource for new or experienced Christians in small groups. The course, created by The Church of England, has flexibility and is easy to run; there are leader’s and participant books, weekly video clips and liturgical resources for every session. It’s middle of the road theologically; any parish could use it!

 Come along to find out more about the program, check out the books and other resources and receive some initial training for the small group work. UK theologian, Paula Gooder, one of the authors of the program will stop by via some specially shot videos!

The Details

1-4 pm 25th of October

Lecturer Room 1

St Francis Theological College

Cost: nil

Who is it for? Anyone who wants to know more about Pilgrim: a Course for the Christian Journey.  You might be a prospective leader of the program in your parish, or just want to know more about how it works. You might be thinking about starting some new groups and looking for material, or maybe you've been running a group for a long time.  You're all welcome!

The Bible According to Gen Z

Did you know:

• Only 4 per cent of young people read the Bible daily and 7 out of 10 have never read it.
• Young people are ten times more likely to read the Bible if they are involved in a group which encourages them to do so.
• Only 1 in 100 youth will pick up the Bible out of curiosity or interest.
•  
• Here’s the blurb from The Bible Society about this new publication:
•  

“Find out how you can engage young people with the Bible; what’s working and what isn’t, and to get that other 99 to pick up a Bible. Bible Society’s Adrian Blenkinsop has pulled together a collection of essays for youth engagement with the Bible to help them, and their youth leaders, keep the faith.”

- See more or order at: http://www.biblesociety.org.au/genz

Be a Pilgrim!

Pilgrim: a Course for the Christian Journey may just be the best thing since sliced bread. And that’s so even if you’re gluten free.

Developed by the Church of England and written by a number of practical theologians and rubber-hits-the-road experts, Pilgrim includes four books so far, each featuring six 60-90 minute sessions.  Working through the ideas in our baptismal vows, the sessions feature everything you need to know if you are just starting out on the Christian journey.

But wait a minute: even if you’re an experienced traveler on that journey, this resource is useful too.  The discussion questions are written so that anyone, at any stage on the Christian journey can be inspired and fed.

As well, each session includes online resources: a video clip with input from the book’s authors and an audio prayer reflection.  The leader’s guide that rounds out the course’s materials is great, with ideas for each session and liturgical resources as well.

Here’s what the publishers say:

Pilgrim’s approach

It starts at the very beginning

Pilgrim assumes very little understanding or knowledge of the Christian faith.

It focuses on Jesus Christ

Pilgrim aims to equip people to follow Jesus Christ as disciples in the whole of their lives.

It flows from the Scriptures

The primary focus of each session is a group of people engaging with the Bible together.

It draws deeply from the Christian tradition

In the Early Church, the Christian faith was taught by the transmission of key texts which summed up the heart of the Christian message. Pilgrim restores this approach for the twenty-first century.

It honours the Anglican way and its many streams

Pilgrim has been developed as a specifically Anglican resource which aims to cater for every tradition in the Church of England.

All in all, this is a middle of the road kind of small group resource that any parish in our diocese could use, no matter where you sit on the theological spectrum.

The Cathedral bookshop will have the books in stock in late July./August but you can have a look at the real thing at the Roscoe Library, or delve into the materials at the UK website.

And what’s more, St Francis College will be offering regional training workshops for potential leaders of the Pilgrim course in the second half of the year.  Contact Jonathan Sargeant if you’re interested in those and we’ll see where to hold them.

N.T. Wright on the Bible and why he won’t call himself an inerrantist

TIME Magazine called him “one of the most formidable figures in the world of Christian thought.” Newsweek once labeled him “the world’s leading New Testament scholar.” His name is N.T. Wright, and he has just written a controversial book on the Bible.

Jonathan Merritt is senior columnist for Religion News Service and has just interviewed retired Anglican bishop, NT Wright on his new book, Surprised by Scripture: Engaging Contemporary Issues.  In that work, Wright engages theological hot topics such as Darwinian evolution, whether Adam was a historical figure, and why he thinks the Bible makes space for women pastors.

The interview is a two parter and you can find the first half here.

In the second half of the interview, Wright discuses issues of homosexuality, science and gender.  You can find that here.

This interview makes great fodder for conversation!

Pervo's Gospel of Luke Commentary out now

It's good news on the biblical front that Richard Pervo's new commentary on Luke is now available.

This volume completes the highly regarded Synoptic Gospels set in the scholars Bible series.

Here's what the critics are saying..

"Pervo writes with verve" - The Bible Today

"(Pervo's) wit and erudition make for pleasurable reading" - Anglican Theological Review

What prompted the anonymous author of Luke to edit his sources, Mark and Q, and retell the story of Jesus? Using the Scholars Version translation that is true to the everyday Greek of the gospel writers, Pervo explores the who, when, where, why, and how of the Gospel of Luke. Includes the Greek text, introduction, notes, and cross references.

You can find out more and even order the book here.

I Believe

IBelieve: reflections on our shared faith by Janet Dyke, Lakeside Publishing

As belief becomes increasingly individualised by our society, Janet Dyke’s new collection of studies represents a gentle call to something different: belief in community.

I Believe: reflections on our shared faith enables small groups to examine the Apostles Creed, that document of the early church that began to define the lines of demarcation between establishing Christianity and other off-shoots and faiths.

The slim book features seven sessions: Believe, Father, Christ, Ascend, Spirit, Forgive and Life.  Each contains material to draw participants into a conversation with the text.  There is some supporting historical material as well. Janet manages to offer this in a non-threatening way that nevertheless does not shy away from the big challenges that some of the ideas in the creed engender.  Her questions for discussion are foundational, just right for a group finding its feet in the arena of belief.  That she does so in a manner that will enable long time believers to answer and discuss at their own level is to her credit.

There’s a real knack here for connecting ancient ideas with present realities which is the secret of good small group faith formation material.  Drawing on her own life experience brings a personal touch here and there which grounds the studies nicely.

In an age where individualism often brings loneliness, focusing on what binds us together is a vital task of the church.  Ms Dyke has successfully helped us along that path.

You can order the book or find out more here

 Jonathan Sargeant, Lay Education Officer, St Francis College

Book a BIBLE360 event today!

Have you thought about booking a BIBLE360 event for your parish?  Or talking to the people in your parish who might make that happen?  Contact Jonathan Sargeant to make it happen.

There are two options for your consideration:

First, the Introduction to the Bible workshop

This is a one-day introduction to the Bible for people of all ages and backgrounds.

It offers a place to start the adventure of reading the Bible or to pick up the journey again if it has been a while. The seminar provides:

•     An opportunity to engage with others
•     An understanding of the history of the Bible
•     The basic information needed to read the Bible with confidence
•     A brief overview of the Old Testament and New Testament
•     Practical tips on choosing a Bible and other resources
•     Help to get started with a personal Bible reading plan.

You can download a brochure about the program here to find out more

On the other hand you might benefit from the Small Group Facilitation Workshop

This is a practical workshop on the purpose and process of Small Group Bible Studies for experienced and new leaders alike.

This all-day workshop (9.00am-4.30pm) helps equip current and new Small Group leaders with the practical skills and knowledge needed to facilitate a successful Small Group Bible Study. It is interactive in approach and covers the following areas:

•     Why Small Groups?
•     The Five Key Purposes of Small Groups
•     Understanding the Shape of Your Existing or New Group
•     The Five Key Process Areas of Small Group Facilitation
•     Evaluating and Improving Your Facilitation Skills
•     Improving Listening and Questioning Skills
•     Further Resources

Participants are encouraged to actively engage and apply key concepts to their local setting. Whilst the workshop focuses on Small Groups themselves, some approaches to growing a parish Small Group ministry is also covered.

To download the brochure for this program, click here.

Okay, has that caught your interest?  If you have a question or would like to book an event use this form and we'll get back to you.

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