Pilgrim Progess will keep you informed of new education and training options and possibilities for the church across the State. No more than one email per month.
New courses and developments are also listed on our website http://pilgrim.qld.edu.au and in UC Information (which is sent out by the General Secretary’s office weekly).
 To subscribe or unsubscribe to Pilgrim Progress, please email the college at the above address.

The Spirituality of Peacemaking
How can Christians be peacemakers in a violent world? Put Saturday 6 September in your diary. A one day workshop From violence to wholeness will be conducted on The spirituality of peacemaking at the UC Centre in Auchenflower, Brisbane.  The training will be conducted by an experienced trainer from Pace e Bene, an international group with its roots in the spirituality of Francis of Assisi. Cost of $75 includes morning and afternoon coffee and a hot lunch. Only the first 20 registrations can be accepted.

Hospitality in Luke
The Hospitality of God: Studies in the Gospel of Luke by Rob Bos and Ainslie Scott is now available. Organise a small group, select a leader and be enriched by the third gospel. The textbook for the course is Brendan Byrne’s The Hospitality of God (about $25). The course fee is $110 (or $100 if paid by a church organisation.)

(We have also been requested to offer this in the Church of North India; training there will commence in March 2009.)

Pastoral care, listening, visiting
Do you know people who would like some training in listening skills, caring for others, or pastoral care? Perhaps there are elders or hospital visitors in your congregation or presbytery who would love some training. Phone up Pilgrim Learning Community (07) 3377 9724 or 0448 958 940 and talk it over. Let us know what your hopes and expectations are, what are the needs of the trainees, and when and where such training might be best delivered. We’ll do our best to offer what is needed.

Compassionate Community Work
If you have a heart for the community in which you live but you are not sure where to get started, then this course is for you. This can be offered in various parts of Queensland by negotiation. The trainers are Dave Andrews, Tim Hodgson, Mark Cornford, Duncan Macleod. This is currently being offered at Elanora Uniting Church, Gold Coast in two blocks of 6 sessions on Tuesday night. It can also be offered in more intensive blocks. The textbooks for this course are Compassionate Community Work and Not Religion, But Love, both by Dave Andrews.

Introduction to the New Testament
Bill Loader has prepared this ten-session course introducing people to the New Testament. It may be studied by individuals, with the support of a local tutor or mentor appointed by Presbytery. The textbook is Loader’s The New Testament with Imagination. Any interested person may enrol, but it may also be used for credit towards Lay Preacher training. This is a Coolamon College course, being offered under licence from Coolamon, Enrolment is through Pilgirm. Cost: $110 ($100 if paid by a UC congregation or organisation). (Those wanting credit towards a government recognised Certificate should enrol through Coolamon College.)

NT course for people from diverse cultural backgrounds
This is underway at the Uniting Church Centre on some Monday nights. 25 people from a range of language-cultural groups are enrolled. A huge thank you to those who donated money for recent arrivals from the Sudan and Burma who cannot afford to pay!!

The Ministry of Pastor
Pilgrim is responsible for assisting Presbyteries to do the training for Pastors. Please contact us to talk it over.

“The Uniting Church, What is it all about?”
This new course from Pilgrim Learning Community covers such areas as the history of the UCA, its distinctive features, how the UCA works out what it believes, the values it lives by and the way members practise their beliefs in every-day life. It also introduces people to the Basis of Union and touches briefly on the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice.  The course is suitable for anyone wanting to know more about The Uniting Church and its ethos, including inquirers, people preparing for baptism/confirmation and new members. Organise a small group and enrol together! The course also fulfils part of the requirements for those entering the new lay ministry of Pastor. The cost is $55 (incl. GST) or $50 if paid for by a UCA body.

Witnesses to Jesus: New Testament Foundations
This is currently being totally rewritten. When ready, it will be available across the State in face-to-face mode. A student resource book and a leaders’ guide are both being prepared.

Rob Bos, 14 August 2008

Trainers

Dave Andrews, Tim Hodgson, Mark Cornford, Duncan Macleod, Tanya Richards

Timing

Two sets of six Tuesday evenings at Elanora Uniting Church, Gold Coast, 7 - 9 pm
August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9
October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11

Cost

$170 covers the cost of two books, Compassionate Community Work and Not Religion But Love, plus training expenses.

Content

Twelve sessions cover

• The Church and Community Development
• Breaking through barriers of futility, selfishness, fear and spitefulness
• Building bridges to people, on relationships, through groups, for cooperation
• Bringing about personal hope, social empowerment, problem resolution, prophetic transformation.

Each session includes Biblical reflection, input. In between each session participants engage in community tasks, the basis for action and reflection that are at the heart of the course. Participants will use and develop skills of communicating, negotiating, facilitating, researching, planning, budgeting, reporting, supporting, promoting and persevering.

Outcomes, objectives and content

• Demonstrate a developed and biblical understanding of community and community development
• Articulate a broad understanding of general theories related to community and community development
• Analyze with insight the issues involved in doing church-based community development
• Identify and develop opportunities for church and community leadership
• Appreciate Christian responses which enhance human dignity, community solidarity, and effective witness.
• Articulate and value the uniquely Christian contribution to community and community development.

Download the enrolment form

Expression of interest for being a teaching associate.

What are Presbyteries asking for:
• Understanding and interpreting the Bible
• How to share your faith
• Caring for our own physical, mental and spiritual health
• Becoming an effective church leader
• Teaching children the faith
• Mentoring others as they grow in faith
• Key Christian beliefs
• Becoming an effective community leader
• Lay Preacher training
• Leading worship
• How to review the life of a congregation
• How can I make a difference in my local community
• Change management

Rob recently held the position of National Consultant, Theology and Discipleship, Uniting Church in Australia. He helped to link the work of the Worship, Doctrine, Missiology, Evangelism and Relations with Other Faiths Working Groups to the life of the Assembly as a whole. He was also responsible for the Becoming Disciples process (the catechumenate) within the Uniting Church.

Rob was formerly Principal of Coolamon College and Nungalinya College, as well working with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. He has had congregational appointments in Grace Christian Community, Aurukun and Weipa. He is the co-editor, with Geoff Thompson, of Theology for Pilgrims: Selected documents of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Rob holds the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts (University of Queensland), Bachelor of Divinity (Melbourne College of Divinity), Doctor of Ministry (McCormick Seminary, Chicago), Doctor of Philosophy (University of Queensland), Master of Distance Education (University of South Australia).

The course covers such topics as: the formation of the New Testament, the synoptic gospels, studies on John’s writings, studies on the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and his writings, the non-Pauline letters, seminars on worship and preaching. A number of people will be involved in the teaching.

This course will be held at Moggill Uniting church (corner of Moggill Road and Kangaroo Gully Road, Moggill 4070).

The time and dates for this course are:
Session 1 7-9.30pm Tue 10th June
Session 2 7-9.30pm Tue 24th June
Session 3 7-9.30pm Tue 15th July
Session 4 7-9.30pm Tue 29th July
Session 5 7-9.30pm Tue 12th August
Session 6 7-9.30pm Tue 19th August
There will also be 2 Saturday daytime seminars (9am -3pm) on worship and preaching.

The cost of the course: $220. Last days for enrolment! The enrolment form can be emailed from Pilgrim (pilgrim at ucaqld.com.au) and returned to the same address. We hope to see you there as part of this learning community.

Contact phone number 3202 7561

Email Mogill UCA uca_moggill at yahoo.com.au