Any time, any place
One-off events
In progress
Any time any place
The hospitality of God: Studies in the Gospel of Luke
This is a ten session train-the-trainer course to introduce people to the Gospel. The textbook for this course is Brendan Byrne’s The Hospitality of God. This course is designed to be taught in a group setting. It includes guidance for the leader. Cost: $100 per participant + GST.
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 textbooks 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. Cost: $100 + GST. (Those wanting credit towards a government recognised Certificate should enrol through Coolamon College.)
Listening skills, caring for others, pastoral care
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 kow what your hopes and expectations are, what are the needs of the trainees, and when and where such training might be best deliverd. We’ll do our best to offer what is needed.
The Uniting Church: What is it all about? Rob Bos
This is designed for people new to the Uniting Church or for people coming to work within the Uniting Church. It may also be used for people entering the ministry of Pastor. 6 sessions. Fee: $50 +GST if applicable.
Code of Ethics
People working for the Uniting Church (including Pastors) are required to have Code of Ethics training. After reading the Code of Ethics carefully and discussing it with a church representative, participants do an open book exam, with multiple choice questions. Provided free on request.
Compassionate Community Work
This offers practical skills for engagement in your local community. Textbook: Compassionate Community Work by Dave Andrews. People may be available to come to do to do the training. Fee: $200 + GST includes two textbooks.
One off events
New Testament Foundations - June to November 2008
Commencing Tuesday 10 June in the evening, and then meeting fortnightly plus two weekend seminars. New Testament Foundations. Mogill Uniting Church. Co-odinator: Rev. Deva Sugirtharaj. Contact: Pilgrim Learning Community.
New Testament foundations - August to November 2008
The same course will run at the Uniting Church, Auchenflower, from 3 August for people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Co-ordinated by Rev. Dr. Apichart Branjerdporn.
Compassionate Community Work - August to November 2008
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. If you long to find ways to love the people who live on the margins of your society, then this course is for you. Trainers: Dave Andrews, Tim Hodgson, Mark Cornford, Duncan Macleod. Timing. Two sets of six Tuesday evenings at Elanora Uniting Church, Gold Coast. August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9; October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11.
Content. Twelve sessions cover:
o The Church and Community Development
o Breaking through barriers of futility, selfishness, fear and spitefulness
o Building bridges to people, on relationships, through groups, for cooperation
o 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
o Demonstrate a developed and biblical understanding of community and community development
o Articulate a broad understanding of general theories related to community and community development
o Analyse with insight the issues involved in doing church-based community development
o Identify and develop opportunities for church and community leadership
o Appreciate Christian responses which enhance human dignity, community solidarity, and effective witness.
o Articulate and value the uniquely Christian contribution to community and community development.
In progress
Witnesses to Jesus: Introducing the New Testament
Designed for group work over (say) two intensive weekends. It may also serve as one of four Lay Preachers’ units (an alternative delivery style to the Coolamon units). Textbook: How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. Fee: $200 + GST if applicable.
(The other three units in this suite, Old Testament, Theology and Christology, should be available progressively during 2009.)
Caring for our own physical, mental and spiritual health
We are currently consulting on how best to offer resources for this to the church. Ideas are welcome.
More Coolamon College units should progressively become available through Pilgrim Learning Community.