Grants - Tell us what you achieved!
Some feed back from members about how they spent their grants:
30 day Ignatian Retreat
Overall it feels a bit like a spiritual commando course which takes you deep into your core faith and commitment and challenges you to engage with God and commit to God on a far deeper level. There is a lot to process and I feel this will be an on-going task for a long time to come. Anyone interested in doing the 30 Days Retreat is welcome to contact me to talk about it. Richard Bainbridge revrdb@yahoo.com.
Counselling Course
I took this course to help others - it has equipped me to do that in ways I could not have imagined but I have also benefited greatly. It has been fascinating to learn about early developmental psychology and experientially discover my own relational patterns and blind spots! I am far more aware of what may be happening unconsciously between people which is invaluable in my chaplaincy work and in the church. Very hard work and demanding but thoroughly worth while!
The London Mennonite Centre
The Bridgebuilders course on Conflict Transformation was extremely well run and covered a very considerable breadth of content. Teaching was of a consistently high standard with a good balance of practical exercise to theory. I would encourage any other member of the College to consider attending: it’s well worth the time and expense.
Christ and St Stephen Episcopal Church New York City
I was made very welcome at Christ and St Stephen Episcopal Church. I saw a number of ‘Brown Bag’ initiatives (food for a day or so) and was surprised that the clientele included people who couldn’t afford to eat, but who clearly had homes. I spent some time at the General Seminary; I attended a Clericus (Chapter). I preached, and presided at Mass. There was also enough time to fit in the touristy things like climbing the Statue of Liberty and visiting the Met etc. Perhaps the main input though, were the conversations. In all the trip was a fascinating insight into the Episcopal Church at so many levels. This experience will influence my ministry over many years.
Piano rediscovered
I have found a real delight in returning to the piano. My first teacher helped me improve my basic technique and unlearn some bad habits. I learnt some classical pieces: My favourite is Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata which took months to learn but was worth the effort. Since moving to a new job I have found a new teacher who has set me to learn Mozart. My family and I moved into a third-floor flat so getting the piano up the stairs was quite a feat for the removal firm!
We would love to hear from you with a few words about what you achieved with your grant. Something spiritual, academic or perhaps life enhancing for yourself and others?
We really do want to know and to publish your experience here to encourage other members - all we ask is a very few lines on the form below.
Of course if you have more to tell us do email your essay or report for the news and views pages.