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Yorkshire Synod – Annual Elders’ Conference
17th April 2021 @ 11:00 am - 4:45 pm
‘Wise and Wonderful: the Gift and Responsibility of God’s Creation’
We live as part of an abundant planet, rich in life and possibilities. The Covid-19 pandemic has, for some, provided an opportunity to discover God at work in creation, and it has also reminded us of our connectedness and our vulnerability as a species. As we look beyond the pandemic, we are very conscious of the pressing challenges of climate change and other threats to our fragile environment. This day will be an opportunity to reflect on both the gift and the responsibility of God’s creation. What does it mean to live faithfully as part of God’s world today, especially in the context of a pandemic and an ecological crisis? How can our churches and church members play their part in caring for creation, and how can we offer leadership in this?
This immersive and inspiring online event will include thought-provoking input and practical ideas, as well as time for individual reflection, worship, and exchange. It will be led by Simeon Mitchell and Roo Stewart, from the URC’s national Church and Society programme, alongside members of the Yorkshire Synod Elders Development Group.
Information can be found here, and links to the registration documents are below.
Timetable:
| 10:00 | Welcome and introductions |
| 10:05 | Opening worship |
| 10:20 | Plenary session 1: The Gift of Creation |
| 10:45 | Time for personal reflection – with suggested prayer walk or awareness meditation |
| 11:30 | Plenary session 2: Our Responsibility to Creation |
| 11:50 | Bible study/discussion in small groups, or personal reflection time – with suggested questions |
| 12:15 | Break |
| 12:30 | Workshops 1 (see below) |
| 1:15 | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 | Re-gathering |
| 2:05 | Workshops 2 (see below) |
| 2:50 | Break |
| 3:05 | Plenary session 3: Hope for the Future |
| 3:35 | Closing worship |
| 3:45 | End |
Workshops (please choose your preferred two of five):
| Speaker-led workshops: | ||
| a) | Advocating for political action on climate issues – led by Rachel Mander, from Hope for the Future | |
| b) | Eco Church – led by Helen Stephens, from A Rocha | |
| ‘Bring and share’ discussion workshops (bring your questions, share your experiences in small groups) | ||
| c) | Making personal lifestyle changes in response to ecological concerns | |
| d) | Getting your church on board with the issues | |
| e) | Re-imagining the post-Covid church in the context of a climate crisis | |
To register
Please complete the registration form (Word document or pdf document), and return to Val Morrison, email valmorrison7@btinternet.com. Please include: your name, email address, full postal address and your preferred two workshops.
