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

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...

Wrose Buddies - A wonderful success story at Wrose Methodist Church

Approached by the Halle Project in 2012 to see if we would be interested in setting up a Well Being Cafe, the church was excited at the prospect of setting up a monthly session for those who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's, for their carers, for the lonely and housebound. Jean and John Watmough worked in conjunction with Carol at halle and put together a group who would provide once a month a haven for those with particular need. For various reasons it could not be called a Well Being Cafe, and so the name "Wrose buddies" was born. Carol organises taxis to bring people to the church hall once a month, lays on the entertainment, the music, a speaker, food. From the start a charge of £3 per person and a voluntary payment of £1 per strip for the raffle was asked for and willingly given. a group of volunteers was formed and meets once a month before the session to make preparations so that those attending have an afternoon to remember. At first numbers were reaching 20...