Category: News

Changes to the connectional Learning Network

  • Learning Network Regions are being replaced with a brand new Learning Network Team covering the whole of the Connexion on 1st September 2023. Changes are still taking place but we are excited about what the new structure will bring.
  • The role of the Learning Network is to equip and resource the Church through a wide range of contextually relevant learning and development opportunities. You can download our latest Learning Development opportunities here and sign up to our events. The Learning Network shares responsibility with others within the Connexional Team and key stakeholders within the districts, circuits and churches. The Learning Network’s work is developed from what comes out of Conference including the Connexional strategies across the team, and what comes up from the grassroots of the districts. The Learning Network works together Connexionally on national projects such as 3Generate, as well as delivering training and facilitating learning events such as Supervision and Positive Working Together. Priorities for learning and development are considered through the Connexional Learning & Development Forum, with a view to enabling districts and circuits in being places of lifelong learning and sharing, so as to encourage and inspire Methodist people in all aspects of Our Calling. Therefore, our priorities are within worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism, which enables us to live out our discipleship so that the love of God can be made known in all we do.
  • You’ll find lots of information about learning events and opportunities here https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/learning-and-development/learning-network-courses/
  • Sign up for the new Learning Network Newsletter – first release will be September. (Link is bottom of the page)  https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/sign-up-for-newsletters/
  • Join the Learning Network Facebook Group to share, discuss and learn more https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelearningnetwork
  • There are six Learning & Development Managers working with the Director of Learning and Development to manage the Learning Network, who are also part of the new Lead Managers group within the Connexional Team. Each LDM has responsibility for some of the L&D Officers.

    The Learning & Development manager for the Scotland Nation Staff Group is Lorraine Darlow. Her contact details are: darlwol@methodistchurch.org.uk
    Phone: +44 (0) 20 7467 5210 | Mobile: +44 (0) 77 9990 0471

  • Each District has an aligned Learning & Development Officer. The aligned officer role is one element of an LDO’s work as a member of the Learning Network and wider Connexional team. They may also have specialist skills and knowledge, which may be drawn on through the shared work plan.
  • The aligned Learning & Development officer for the Scotland District is Kathryn Campbell. Kathryn’s contact details are campbellk@methodistchurch.org.uk
    Phone: +44 (0) 20 7467 5225 | Mobile: +44 (0) 73 8481 6483

Holiness Journal

The latest issue of Wesley House’s online open-access, peer-reviewed journal – Holiness – is out now!

This is the first of two special edition centenary issues which seek to celebrate 100 years of theological leadership, fellowship and excellence.

The journal offers a range of scholarship that formed part of Wesley House’s centenary events and articles and sermons beyond it. From Paul Chilcote’s excellent survey of the current state of the global Methodist communion in ‘Mapping Global Methodist Theology’, to Paul Glass’ intimate retelling of the ‘Story of Wesley House’. From Ruby Quantson-Davis’ pertinent treatment on the importance of ‘Sitting with the Discomfort of Decolonisation’, to Jane Leach’s deeply personal consideration of ‘A Century of Theological Reflection’ in Cambridge.

We hope you find something to enjoy, and keep an eye out for the next!

Pastoral Letter from Nick

Dear Friends
Pointillism drove me dotty! I am always learning and recently was privileged
to see original works by Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet. I knew
Monet was a famous painter but didn’t really appreciate why. He was part of a
movement of painters that sought to paint using small blobs of thickly applied
paint to build up an ‘impression’ of what the artist was looking at. The
pointillists took this a stage further using brightly coloured dots to build up a
picture. I was looking at a painting by Paul Signac and when you got up close
all you could see was some brightly coloured dots! They look like random
blobs of paint. Only on standing back can you see the picture with the eye
making the connections.
As we travel into the new Methodist year, it may feel at times we are looking
at blobs and going a bit dotty! A lot of change is underway and sometimes we
can only see small parts of it and can seem to be a bit random. At such times it
is good to remember the bigger picture of who we are (followers of Jesus
Christ) seeking to live out our lives as disciples (with a Methodist perspective).
At times the painting can get messy – especially when it is incomplete, but
God is at work, painting the church anew and we are part of that.
The impressionists were not received well by the conventional art community
in France (perhaps a bit like the early Methodists were not received well with
the established religious communities). Change can be difficult, but the
impressionists left a lasting legacy which is stunning. Then, as I moved on, I
encountered the post impressionists such as Toulouse–Lautrec. He stuck
together random bits of cardboard on which he painted. I was amazed, and
again reminded of how creative beauty is brought forth from a random mess of
life. Change comes and we go on together trusting in our faithful God and
remembering we encounter Christ in the unlikely, the random & the neglected.

With love,

Nick

Lost in Wonder – Volunteers required

The Methodist Church are being part of the Edinburgh Fringe this year between the 14th and 19th of August, with Lost in Wonder an immersive storytelling experience, offering a micro-sabbath experience in Edinburgh. With moments of silence and reflection, and moments of creative participation. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lost-in-wonder

If you would like to help with the experience – we need people to help guide and support those attending, along with some to help with set up and take down – then there is an opportunity to volunteer by filling in the form on this link https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/BVI-13Y4/volunteer-with-us-at-festivals-and-events

Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has launched its listening project, Let’s Be Heard, inviting the public to share their experiences of the pandemic and any lessons they believe should be learned. Everyone who was in Scotland between 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, or was affected by decisions made in Scotland during this time, is being invited to share their experiences of the pandemic with Let’s Be Heard. The project is keen to hear about what lessons should be learned and is asking for experiences to be submitted by 31 October 2023.

Find out the ways that individuals and groups can take part in Let’s Be Heard by visiting https://lbh.covid19inquiry.scot

Paper copies of the submission form are available at GPs, community pharmacies, libraries and other community buildings across Scotland. A paper copy can also be requested by emailing LetsBeHeard@covid19inquiry.scot ,leaving a voicemail at 0808 175 5555, or writing to us at Freepost SCOTTISH COVID-19 INQUIRY.