Skip to main content

Understanding & Transforming Conflict - 17 November 2012


Understanding & Transforming Conflict:
a day to raise awareness of conflict in churches … and how it can be transformed.


Saturday 17 November 2012
Little Lane Church, (Little Lane, Bradford BD9 5HD)

Conflict happens everywhere ...

... so why not equip yourself and your church with an awareness of what may be happening and some skills to help transform conflict when it occurs?

A conflict awareness day ...

... is designed to help you explore conflict in an interesting, thoughtful and safe way - and have fun at the same time! The day will be particularly appropriate for churches not experiencing difficult conflict, but who want to develop and maintain good relationships



Jointly led by: Revd Dr James Coleman, Synod Development Officer, Revd Kevin Watson, Synod Moderator, Mr Alastair Forsyth, Elder, Knaresborough URC

Further details: Revd Dr James F Coleman, Synod Development Officer, The United Reformed Church, Yorkshire Synod Office, Somerset House, St Paul’s Street, Morley, Leeds LS27 9EP 0113 289 8490,  do@urcyorkshire.org.uk

About the day:

The church is called to bring peace to a violent world but too often internal conflict and communication problems stunt our energy and growth. Come to this event and leave with greater understanding alongside practical skills & handouts to help you deal creatively with conflict. The main aims of the day are:

  • To explore and understand the nature of conflict and how churches can be vulnerable to destructive conflict;
  • To explore Christian principles of conflict transformation;
  • To introduce participants to some principles of conflict management, and explore options for conflict transformation;
  • To help participants to develop an understanding of their own experiences and responses to conflict.

Programme:

09.30 Arrivals & refreshments
10.00 Welcome & introductions
10.20 Session 1 - to include: Introduction to conflict; Progression & dynamic of conflict; Progression of conflict in churches.
11.10 Coffee Break
11.30 Session 2 - to include: Understanding ourselves & conflict; Conflict management styles.
12.45 Lunch
1.30 Personal reflection
1.40 Conflict puzzle
1.50 How do we transform conflict?
2.10 Group work
2.55 Tea break
3.10 ‘Hard Conversations’ - dialogue circles
3.50 Conflict tree
4.00 Closing session - to include: Reflection time; Question time; Prayer time
4.30 End & departures

About the leaders:

Kevin Watson has been the Moderator of Yorkshire Synod since the beginning of 2008. Ordained in 1982 he served the pastorates of Rhyl & Dyserth (1982-87) and Manselton in Swansea, from 1987-2000. Leaving the Synod of Wales he moved to Northern Synod and the pastorates of Ponteland and Stamfordham, where he served for 8 years until his present appointment.

Jim Coleman has been working as Synod Development Officer since September 2007, prior to which he was minister of Trinity Slough for 10 years. Originally ordained as a Church of Scotland minister in 1978 he served as a chaplain in the RAF from 1978-94, before joining the army chaplaincy for a further 3 years. On leaving the army and moving to Slough he transferred to the United Reformed Church.

Alastair Forsyth also started out life as an active member of the Church of Scotland, before a change of work involved moving south. He has a background in HR, particularly in the health sector, as well as having considerable experience in training and consultancy roles. He is currently Church Secretary of Knaresborough United Reformed Church.

All three have in recent years attended several of the courses run by Bridge Builders, an organisation committed to transforming conflict within churches.

Further information:

Drinks will be provided during the day, but please bring a packed lunch.
There is no charge for the day.
The day is open to absolutely anyone who wants to learn more about how conflict can be positively handled. However it is likely to be of particular benefit for those in any position of leadership within a local church.
Although the day is free, please help us plan for the day by ensuring you send the following details to secretary@littlelanechurch.org.uk :

Please book me a place on the Conflict Awareness Day being held on Sat 17 Nov 12.
Title: ………………………………………………
Name: ………………………………………………
Address: ………………………………………………
………………………………………………
.................... Post Code: .....………....
Tel No(s): ………………………………………………
E-mail: ………………………………………………
Church: ………………………………………………


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Christmas Day Worship 2021

Today is the day - Christmas! The central candle is lit. The waiting is over. The child is born. As we celebrate the Feast and Holy-Day of Christmas, with the Psalmist (Ps. 98:4-6) we proclaim: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Prayer Let us pray: Generous God, even as we praise you for the good news of today, and seek to shout for joy at the coming of the Christ-child, we acknowledge Mary’s mix of pain and joy, both today and in the days to come. As we do so, we face our own emotions on this difficult and delightful day, and ask your help to live it well. Amen. Carol You might like to sing, or reflect on the words of Geoffrey Ainger’s hymn at StF 193/H&P 95, Born in the night, Mary’s child, a long way from your home; coming in need, Mary’s child, born in a borro...

Virtual Worship - Christmas worship

  Welcome Welcome to this service for Christmas Time.  We hope that this act of worship will help you to celebrate the good news of Christmas. Call to worship I bring you Good News of great joy, for a Saviour has been born to you.  For unto us a child is born, a son is given, Alleluia. Carol Prayer Gift giving God, how mighty you are.  How wondrous the gift you have given.  Foretold and promised now born among us How blessed we are.  Born to redeem us, to rescue and keep us.  How blessed we are. Born to transform and to take us to glory. How blessed we are. Born out of love, born to give love  How blessed we are. O God incarnate gow blessed we are by your extraordinary being. God gives to us His son and to those who seek it, forgiveness of their sins Go and share the gift, show the love and know the peace that God gives  Amen. Prayer of confession Generous, overwhelming God In the excitement and joy of this day We take a moment to reflect and...

Pastoral Letter - 9 December 2021

Dear friends We have been through a lot together over this last 18 months since the pandemic first started, as households, as communities and as the people of the church. At times we have struggled, but we have also recognised the support we can offer one another in times of adversity. When things have been far from normal, we have adapted in new ways to continue the life and mission of the church. In the face of great hurt and great need, we have found the value of faith and hope. Since the summer we have seen signs of hope in the re-opening of buildings and the re-starting of some of our church and community groups. However, recent news of a new variant of the virus has once again raised the level of concern. Clearly, the pandemic is not yet over. Consequently, as I am sure you are already aware, the government has decided that there is a need for greater restrictions to be in place once again - see detailed guidance  dated 8th December. In the light of this, the Methodist Church...