CWM Theology School Apia, Samoa in June 2012 “Hope the Language of Life.”

CWM Europe has been allocated two places for Theology Students at CWM Theology School. The School takes place in Apia, Samoa on 4th - 16th June 2012 (Not including travel.) To select the two participants CWM Europe invites members to write an essay focusing on the CWM Assembly theme “Hope the Language of Life."

2012 will be a year to remember just why we are Independent Christians, as it's 350 years since the beginning of a dark era of great persecution. This led to Independents having to worship at secret and illegal meetings, before a period of tolerance led to meeting-house - or chapels - being built across Wales.

"It is once again a dark period in our country’s history, and the need for a religious revival as great as ever," said the Revd Andrew Lenny, President of the Union of Welsh Independents, in his New Year’s Message.

"Many Independent churches were established during a period of bitter persecution, when it was illegal to worship outside the parish church," he said.

"A small number of dedicated and courageous people 'kept the flame alight in those dark days' - in the words of Dr R. Tudur Jones, the great historian of the Independent tradition. It is our privilege, as Independent Christians today, to keep the flame alight in a different darkness – the darkness of atheism, major social uncertainty and economic distress," said Revd Lenny. 

"In 2012, we pray that the Christian flame will ignite the Welsh nation once again, that people will feel the need for God in their lives and see how the light of the Lord Jesus Christ can dispel personal and social concerns and fears of all kinds."

HISTORICAL NOTE: 1662 was the year of the 'Great Ejection’ when hundreds of Dissenting ministers were replaced by Anglican priests in parish churches. Independent Christians and others meet in caves, barns and houses. These illegal meetings were often violently disrupted by the authorities and a number of leaders arrested and imprisoned. Following the Toleration Act of 1689, the situation improved gradually, and Independent chapels were built throughout

The United Reformed Church is encouraging all local churches to sign up for a training days developed to equip churches for the opportunities and challenges of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The sixteen “Get Set” events come from More Than Gold, the agency established to help churches make the most of the 2012 Games.  They have been described as: “The day every church needs to be ready for the 2012 Games” and the organisers promise those attending they will leave with “new ideas, strategies, skills and resources”.

The “Get Set” days run on Saturdays from 10.30am to 4.30pm and will take place from February through to April, with each offering a choice of eleven practical subjects.

Francis Brienen, (pictured) the URC’s secretary for mission and member of the More than Gold Executive, is encouraging United Reformed churches to send as many congregation members as possible to the training days.  She says: “These Get Set days have been developed to thoroughly prepare churches for the once-in-a-lifetime-opportunities that the Games will bring.  I would urge churches to send as many people as they can – particularly those involved in youth & children’s work, and community/outreach activities. I am certain that participants will return to their local churches with excitement, enthusiasm and skills to make things happen in their congregation and community.”

The programme includes full day sessions on Running a Community Festival, Using Sport to Impact Every Age-group and Being a Games Pastor.

Workshops include Reaching Children and Youth, the Torch Relay and your Community, Prayer, Using International Mission Teams, Mission through the Paralympics and Games-related Social Justice. There is also a session for those new to the idea of using the 2012 Games to engage with their community.

The dates and locations for the Get Set tour are February: 4th Crawley, 25th Reading, 25th Cardiff; March: 3rd Stoke ,3rd Bath, 10th Wolverhampton, 10th Central London, 17th Greenwich, 17th Gateshead, 24th Barnsley, 24th Weymouth, 31st Bolton, 31st East London; April: 21st Glasgow, 21st Stevenage, 28th Belfast, 28th Nottingham.

Tickets cost just £10 per person, with advance registration encouraged to secure the choice of workshop. Details and registration are at www.morethangold.org.uk/getset