Stones, Bones and Mobile Phones

Programme

• Monday evening
  • Faithful people
  • Faithful cities
• Tuesday – Mapping the city centre – The Revd Chris Baker
  • Culture and experience
  • Urban theories
  • Theologies of the city
  • Ecclesiologies and strategies for engagement
• Wednesday morning
  • Networking for mission
  • Holy Communion

Summaries and Reports

Faithful people

The Revd Peter Willis (retiring coordinator of the Network) explained that one of the purposes of the conference and of the Network was to provide the means and opportunities to shareour experiences and hopes, and that this was a time to do just that.

I have summarised what was said based on my own notes. This summary can be viewed or downloaded.

Faithful cities

The Revd Phil Mason (the new coordinator of the Network) reminded us of the Faithful Cities report of the Anglican Church and talked about our possible response to it. It was mentioned that MCCN had approached the Connexion and offered to contribute to the Methodist Church's response but this had been declined. [View or download the October 2006 report (by Rachel Lampard) to the Methodist Council on Faithful Cities.]

Phil's presentation can be viewed or downloaded.

Mapping the City Centre

The Revd Chris Baker (Director of the William Temple Foundation) led us in four sessions of presentations and discussion.

[Chris's presentation is not yet available.]

I have written a report of the day based on my own notes, and on the notes made by Chris on the flip chart. This report can be viewed or downloaded.

Networking Mission

This session dealt with Network business.

• We gave some time to the role of the Network in facilitating reviews of city centre churches and projects. Phil Mason gave a presentation and we were provided with a draft version of the abooklet Review Guidelines.

  Final versions of this and other materials will be centre to all churches and project on the City Centre List in he near future.

• Peter Willis indicated his desire to relinquish the reponsibilites of Coordinator of the Network and the meeting agreed that Phil Mason should take up this position. Peter will continue to serve on the Executive of the Network.

  It was also agreed that Martin Turner should join the Executive. Mark Pengelly volunteered to be the Network's treasurer.

  The members of the executive are now:

  • Phil Mason (Bolton) – Coordinator
  • Peter Willis (Nottingham)
  • Geoff Reid (Touchstone, Bradford)
  • Barbara Duchars (Blackpool)
  • Martin Turner (Westminster)
  • Ann Dunning (Gloucester)
  • Eden Fletcher (Newcastle)
  • Mark Pengelly (Worksop) – Treasurer
  • Ken Tait (Leeds) – Web Editor
  • David Wynd (Nottingham) – Secretary^*
  ^*David will hand over to someone at Bolton as soon as is practical.