Together4Bristol : Gather Movement

Gather Movement - Summer News

Dear friends

For many church unity groups, there is a 'selah’, a pause over the summer. Many of the projects we run continue to serve the community but there is often a moment to catch our breath. Over the summer, I often take stock of what has been achieved in the year so far and reflect on the impact that has been made.
There’s that beautiful picture in Joshua 4 where twelve men, one from each tribe, select a stone from the riverbed of the Jordan and pile them up where they camp to build a memorial to commemorate what God has done. What has God done in your place this year? How will you remember?

We will return from the summer into the hectic-ness of September when shops start prematurely stocking their shelves with Christmas goods! As we think about the autumn, how will we invest in our thinking and strategic planning for all that lies ahead?
As Gather Movement, I would love to draw your attention to three specific things that I believe will help you to develop what you are doing:

The Theology Day (21 Nov 2023) is an interactive day looking at the theology and sociology surrounding our cities and towns' social, spiritual and cultural transformation.
The 5Ds of Community Transformation Training Days (10th Oct - Belfast, 11th Oct - Leeds, 12th Oct - London) will help those who would like to lead and facilitate a group through the 5D Framework with their church or church unity group.
The Online Learning Community (monthly) will explore what we mean by spiritual, social and cultural transformation.

With the busy-ness of the autumn coming down the track, I’d encourage you to explore if any of these events could be helpful and if so, to pop them in the diary and get booked in. As we look to see our places transformed, that transformation starts with us being changed by God and open to what he wants to teach us!

Have a brilliant summer,
Andy Frost and the Gather Movement team

P.S. We have lots to cover in this edition, so please scroll down to find information on our Mental Health Strategy Launch, family hubs and mapping church-based assets, as well as news from ChurchWorks and a new UK Covid inquiry.

Upcoming Events from Gather Movement and Partners

Tuesday 12 September @ 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Gather Movement Learning Community (UK): What Social Transformation Should We Really be Aiming For?In September we launch our new monthly Learning Community online programme, covering issues around social, cultural and spiritual transformation. We have some amazing contributors. Find out more here.

Sir Peter Heywood will be joining us this September to help us understand what we mean by social transformation. We'll be seeking to answer the question:

How can leaders empower the Church to love their neighbours on their own streets where they live and in their places?

Book your September spot here.

Thursday 14 September @ 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Global Movement Day Learning Community If you are a leader in your city and want to be connected with leaders from around the world then join us for our next Global Monthly Zoom. Register here.

Tuesday-Thursday 10-12 October @11:00am - 4:00pm
Belfast (10th), Leeds (11th), London (12th)

5 Ds Training Days
Drawing from Tearfund’s asset-based community development, Simon Hawking and Andy Frost have developed the 5D Framework to help Christians explore how they play their part in meeting the needs of their local communities.

The 5D Training Day is open to those who would like to lead and facilitate a group through the 5D Framework with their church or church unity group.

Check out their promo video.

The 5D Training Day will include:

• Insights into how to use the 5D Framework
• An opportunity to experience some of the practical activities
• First-hand stories of how the 5D framework has been used
• Best practice for delivery of material
Time: 11am start (arrivals from 10:30am) - 4pm finish
Cost: £25 (includes lunch)

Book now:
Belfast 10 Oct , Leeds 11 Oct or London 12 Oct

Tuesday 21 November @ 10:00am - 5:00pm
Oxford Community Church, The Kings Centre, Osney Mead, OX2 0ES

Theology Day
An interactive day looking at the theology and sociology surrounding the social, spiritual and cultural transformation of our cities and towns. Book here.

The Latest in Gather Movement News

Mental Health and Wellbeing Webinar Launch

In June we hosted the online launch webinar 'Developing a mental health strategy for our places', hosted by Gather Movement and Kintsugi Hope. If you missed it, check it out here.

Download the Mental Health Resource Here

Family Hubs Faith Based Communication and Engagement Event,
Hosted by Lancashire County Council

This Communication and Engagement Event in June 2022 focused around the importance of faith-based organisations as members of the Family Hubs Network. It includes presentations from three guest speakers who discussed the work they have been doing within their community and how they could see themselves forming part of the Network as it develops across Lancashire.
The Guest Speakers for this event included:
•   Catherine Barker (Head of Development Family Hubs Network)
•   Mark Cowling (National Coordinator Movement for Recovery)
•   Peter Lumsden (Lancashire Forum of Faiths)

You can watch the recording of the event, here.

Mapping Church-based Assets Webinar

Catch up on this “how to” Guide for mapping the Church’s assets across a local area. Learn how to create a geographical information map of all the social action projects churches run in an area using a simple Excel spreadsheet and how to use this data to start a conversation about collaboration with civic and health organisations.

Watch the full Webinar here.

UK Covid Inquiry Invites Evangelicals to Share Experiences in New Campaign

Last month, the Evangelical Alliance advocacy team met with the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry team. They were interested to learn more about the different ways in which Evangelical Alliance members supported their communities during the pandemic, and are keen for our members to engage with their ‘Every Story Matters’ campaign.

For your opportunity, as church and community leaders, to share how the pandemic affected you and those in your community, click here.

ChurchWorks for Wellbeing Conference - Recordings

ChurchWorks has now launched the microsite for the ChurchWorks for Wellbeing Conference which has the recordings and resources from the event.
For those who didn't attend the conference, you can purchase access for just £5 via the Eventbrite page.

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