The Lancashire Evening Post has released figures that reveal the striking inequalities facing Preston people

See

 

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/12/471333.html

 

Have a Blessed Christmas

Let earth and heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
...Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made Man.

He laid His glory by,
He wrapped Him in our clay;
Unmarked by human eye,
The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel's Name.

Unsearchable the love
That has the Savior brought;
The grace is far above
Of men or angels' thought:
Suffice for us that God, we know,
Our God, is manifest below.

He deigns in flesh to appear,
Widest extremes to join;
To bring our vileness near,
And make us all divine:
And we the life of God shall know,
For God is manifest below.

and because of the incarnation we are thankful for the Bishop's message

The Bishop of Blackburn has called for "legitimate Christian protests" against government cuts. see...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-12073176

New book.. Voices from the Borderland

 

Voices from the Borderland

Re-imagining Cross-cultural Urban Theology in the Twenty-first Century

Chris Shannahan

Series: Cross Cultural Theologies, edited by Jione Havea, Clive Pearson, both at United Theological College, Australia, and Anthony G. Reddie, Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham

 

Subject: Religion; HRCM Christian theology

Readership: undergraduate and postgraduate students and academics

Pub date:  December 2010  216 x 138mm, 324pp, 21 illustrations

ISBN:     PB 978 1 84553 704 3    £16.99          HB 978 1 84553 703 6    £70   

 

 

With incisiveness and clarity, Chris Shannahan probes into the world of urban theology to provide invaluable resources for those of us seeking out ways of connecting the church to community. The result is a sharp critique of previous works and the development of a new model of engagement and dialogue grounded in the radical hybrid popular cultures of urban Britain. Committed to a critical liberation ethic, this is a groundbreaking book that deserves careful attention by professional and lay workers in the struggles for urban renewal, racial justice and poverty eradication.'
Robert Beckford, Visiting Professor, Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London

 

'Shannahan's patient, systematic, provocative and divisive text will arouse others, but hopefully get even more joining the movement with their own "takes".'
Revd Dr John Vincent, Director Emeritus, Urban Theology Unit, Sheffield

 

Voices from the Borderland aims to bring urban theology into a transformative dialogue with the dynamic translocal urban world of the 21^st century. This book is rooted in the argument that urban theology should be a theology for progressive change and arises out of an intimate engagement with the multicultural and multi-faith British urban experience over a period of twenty years. British urbanism provides a contextual base from which to explore comparable dynamics in an international context in an age of globalisation.

Voices from the Borderland acknowledges the foundational contribution of John Vincent and Kenneth Leech to urban theology but moves beyond their twentieth century analyses into a new globalised century that is characterised by the influence, complexity, diversity and reach of 'Metropolitan' regions/centres. The recent work of figures like Elaine Graham, Anthony Reddie, Robert Beckford, Andrew Davey, Laurie Green, Chris Baker, Gordon Lynch, Ann Morisy and Tim Gorringe who have sought to draw urban theology into a dialogue with the processes of globalisation, post-colonialism, postmodernism and 'post-religious' urban culture is critically explored.

Voices from the Borderland exemplifies the hermeneutical circle rooting theological dialogue in a detailed critical engagement with debates in urban and social theory, cultural studies, postcolonial criticism and diasporan studies about globalisation, translocal urbanism, new forms of marginalisation, identity, difference, belonging and urban multiculturalism. For the first time within urban theology, the central importance of urban pop music as a vehicle for meaning-making is used as an intra-contextual resource for international urban theological reflection. Voices from the Borderland breaks new ground in urban theology by linking together five models of urban theological reflection which have, to date, existed only in self-enclosed 'camps' (Urban Liberation Theology, Urban Black Theology, Reformist Urban Theology, Globalisation Urban Theology and Post-religious Urban Theology). It is argued that a new interdisciplinary and dialogical chapter must be opened in urban theology which moves beyond current models towards a more fluid, inclusive and multipolar metropolitan theology.

 

Chris Shannahan is Research Fellow in Urban Theology at the University of Birmingham. He has been an inner city Methodist Minister for sixteen years and has taught Urban and Practical Theology at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, the University of Birmingham and Newman College University in Birmingham.

 

Contents:

Preface

Introduction                                                                         

Chapter One: A New Urban World                                                                                                  

Chapter Two: Looking for Meaning in the Fourth World                                                            

Chapter Three: Interrogating Social Theory                                                                   

Chapter Four: Resistance to the New Urban Elite

Chapter Five: Pop, Politics and Urban Theology                                                                          

Chapter Six: Gospel from the Borderland – Urban Liberation Theology                    

Chapter Seven: Emancipation Still Comin' – Urban Black Theology                         

Chapter Eight: God is Gradual – Reformist Urban Theology                                                       

Chapter Nine: Going Global – Globalisation Urban Theology                                     

Chapter Ten: Faith in a Liquid City – Post-Religious Urban Theology                     

Chapter Eleven: Seeds of a Cross-Cultural Urban Theology of Liberation

Conclusion                           

 

 

big society??

a goldmine - the authentic voice of those who attended a Big Society
conference. Have a look at what the cartoonist Fran made of the event -
right on the button -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirehumberforum/sets/72157625423809071/

Schools workers training and sharing morning

From: Richard Hoyle

 

Do you want to link with your local schools?

Training event for people working to develop links between Church and School.

Why make the links?

What to do

Primary and Secondary school sessions

Speaker: Richard Witham,

Scripture Union

Saturday 12th February 2011, 9.15-12.15

Free entry

Book places by 7th February

Fulwood Methodist Church

Coffee and croissants from 9.15am

For more information and

to book a place contact

Richard Hoyle

rdhoyle@btinternet.com

mob. 07503 491805

 

Hello, I am organinsing a training and sharing event in February at Fulwood for schools workers and people who would like to make links between church and school. I would be grateful if you could advertise this among your contacts who may be interested in this sort of work. It is aimed at people who are starting the work or who wish to start and are keen to know how. It is also a sharing morning for those with more experience to pass on good practice and to meet others in the same line of work and share ideas. It would be good if you could come along yourself if this is relevant to you. Peace and blessings for a joyful Christmas, Richard PS Sorry if you have had this more than once! Richard Hoyle, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator (Schools) Lancashire Methodist District and Burnley Circuit Burnley & Pendle Faith Centre,  Burnley Campus, BURNLEY  BB10 1JD 01282 682275 Mob. 07503 491805

Mapping the Locality

I've just discovered a wonderful web site which allows you to look at all sots of maps of our locality> You can look at all the deprivation and crime statistics, planning proposals and all sorts of facilities for your nieghbourhood and lots else

 

http://mario.lancashire.gov.uk/agsmario/default.aspx

 

Supporting victims of crime and anti-social behaviour

 

Preston Community Network's Safer Preston Voluntary and Community Sector Forum  wants to try and find a way to increase the support available to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour.  The forum wants to bring voluntary and community sector groups including churches and other faith groups together to explore the idea'and get the key agencies and people on board.

 

The date for the Forum meeting has been set for Monday 31 January 2011 – 9.30am to 1pm in Room A at the Town Hall

 

If you are interested or have people in your netorks who might want to attend please contact

Nigel Parkinson

Preston Maps Coordinator

Tel 01772-209676

Mob 07950331240

Email nigel.parkinson@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

 

 

Government green paper on commissioning

 

can be dowloaded here

 

http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/green-paper/commissioning-green-paper.pdf

 

These proposals could make a big difference to funding regimes in the future, probabbly meaning that small local church and community groups will find it even less easy to find external funding for their work.

Developing a Network in Leyland: A date for your diary

Over the past few months a group of Christians drawn from a wide range of churches and projects concerned for mission, social action and community development have been meeting together to explore how to strengthen each other's efforts by working in collaboration. The developing network is being supported by Church Urban Fund and Methodist District Action and is being co-ordinated by Greg Smith. Further information can be found on our web site at http://pcanprestonchristianactionnetwork.yolasite.com/

A few people from Leyland (including Andy Prosser and Anne-Marie Dewhurst of Fusion YAC) have been taking an active part in this networking. In our conversations we have concluded that a network at a more local level there could be value in bringing together more interested people from the churches and projects in Leyland and South Ribble.

We would like to invite you to an exploratory network lunch to be held at

St Marys RC Church

(in the Library in the Adminsitrative/Residential block at the side of the church)

Broadfield Drive, Leyland PR25 1PD

On Wednesday 19^th January 2011 from 1pm -3.30pm.

The aim is to get to know each other, to talk about the issues in our work and to begin to think strategically about Christian Social Action in the district. Andy Turner from Church Urban Fund and Greg Smith of Preston Christian Action Network will be joining us and ready to share some ideas and information about the way such networks can become a resource for mission.

There will be a free buffet lunch available.. Please let us know if you intend to be there so we can cater for correct numbers.

Please feel free to pass on this invitation to colleagues and friends, or lay members of your church who are involved in social action ministries and may be interested in in meeting with others.

Homeless In Preston : Drop in and Soup Kitchen Provision over Christmas and the New Year.

The Preston Homeless Forum has produced a poster giving full details of opening times of drop in centres over the fortnight around Christmas. It can be downloaded as a pdf file from www.homelessinpreston.org.uk

The new drop in at Central Methodist Church opens tonight (Monday 13th) from 6pm, and will be open regularly from now on Sunday and Monday evenings.

A reminder also that the winter watch provision offering overnight shelter for anyone who is roofless will continue to be available as long as the cold weather continues. Referrals are made through the Foxton Centre up to 3.30 on weekdays. (tel 01772 555925). Evening or weekend referrals can be processed through the City Council's out of hours number 01772 906916 where you will need to specify the call is about emergency homelessness and refers to the winter watch service.

JOB VACANCY

JOB VACANCY

PRESTON YOUTH FOR CHRIST IS ADVERTISING

FOR A NEW DIRECTOR

TO download the Job Advert  go to

http://pcanprestonchristianactionnetwork.yolasite.com/preston-youth-for-christ-director-needed.php

A NEW RESOURCE FOR CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES CONSIDERING SETTING UP WINTER NIGHT SHELTERS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE

 

 with practical guidance and information, inspiration and more  Produced by Housing Justice with a grant from Church Urban Fund

See    http://www.fbrn.org.uk/news/housing-justice-launch-new-resource

For details of launch events

Westhill Endowment Possible Funding for Interfaith work

The objectives of the Westhill Endowment are the promotion of education in the manner which reflects the principles of the Christian religion and the tradition of the historic free churches and the promotion of dialogue and educational interchange between the Christian Church and persons of other living faiths. To achieve these objectives Westhill supports community-transforming projects with advice and grants.

 

http://www.westhillendowment.org/

Some Strategic Musings on Youth Ministry from Oxford Diocese

This paper aims to outline the huge gap between our aspirations in terms of young people and faith, and the reality. It aims to lay out a strategic response   Follow this link....

 

http://www.youthblog.org/2010/12/strategic-musings.html

 

New Crossover Volunteering Co-ordinator Phil Moore joins our team

Starting this week Phil Moore will be working as volunteer co-ordinator for the PCAN network.He is employed part time and funded by Methodist District Action but is working in close co-operation with Greg Smith who is working for the Church Urban Fund.

 

Phil's immediate task is to co-ordinate the volunteers who have come forward from the churches to establish additional drop in facilities for homeless and vulnerable people. These sessions will be on Sunday and Monday eveings starting on December 13th at Central Methodist Church Lune Street, with some sessions at St Georges Church nearby.

 

Phil's other main role is to help the network develop a wider brokerage and volunteer management service for Christians who wish to offer their time and energies to the community beyond their own local church. He will be seeking opportunites to meet with various church leaders to talk through their needs for volunteers, and the opportunties for their church members to serve in ways and activivities where their skills and enthusiasms can make the maximum impact for the welfare of the community.

 

Phil can be contacted by email on  philmcarnforth@hotmail.co.uk

Jim Wallis on Youtube

 

Watch, listen, then: a. nod sagely* b. spiritualise it away* c. get out the sackcloth*. Though if you're not a Christian, then you won't necessarily know about revolutionary stuff like Matt 6v24ff. (*delete as appropriate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGf2AI_Va9o&feature=player_embedded

The English Defence League: New report from Faith Matters

The English Defence League: Challenging Our Country and Our Values of Social Inclusion, Fairness and Equality. Click here to view report.

http://faith-matters.org/resources/publicationsreports/201-the-english-defence-league-challenging-our-country-and-our-values-of-social-inclusion-fairness-and-equality

Revelation and Christian Hope: Political Implications of the Revelation to John

Thought provoking stuff in Tom Wright's lecture on Revelation.. Watch it here

 

http://divinity.duke.edu/news-media/news/2010-10-26-nt-wright-revelation

 

or download the MP3 via Itunes

• Revelation and Christian Hope: Political Implications of the Revelation to John

Wright is one of the world's foremost New Testament scholars. He has written more than 30 books, both at the scholarly level (including Jesus and the Victory of God) and for a popular audience (including Everyone, a series of guides to the New Testament).