I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff team who have been working incredibly hard as we continue to navigate the changing landscape in this season. As I'm sure many of you will be familiar with from your own contexts, they have made and re-made plans countless times over the last few months.  They have put together programmes for delivery and input only to have to start from scratch as new guidance is issued. We have been through multiple iterations of planning and detailed logistical arrangements for different scenarios to enable various forms of in-person gatherings. We are mindful of our moral and ethical duty to ensure the safety not only of staff and students but also our wider communities.

Be assured that we do not take decisions lightly and we will continue to work towards enabling in-person gatherings, locally and nationally, as soon as it is safe and feasible to do so. We are particularly keen that those students who have not yet had the opportunity to meet in person locally are able to do so as soon as is practically possible. 

Residential Weekend 

Friday 27 November - Sunday 29 November 2020

Since previous communication, the introduction of the government's three tier system and in recent days the National Lockdown 2.0 has meant a change in what we are able to deliver in person. The residential venues have had to cancel our booking  and therefore the November residential weekend will not go ahead for any students. This is hugely disappointing for all of us. 

Teaching Week

Monday 30 November - Friday 4 December 2020

A reminder that all ordinands are required to attend teaching week input to access academic input which would have been delivered at residential weekends this term. (see this previously sent email for further information)

Timetables are now available on moodle in the Handbook under the Programme section. 

Timetables have been published by teaching level as follows. Please ensure you select the correct timetable for your programme of study.

• Level 4 - All Undergraduate Teaching
• Level 5 - All Undergraduate Teaching
• Level 6 -TMM Undergraduate Teaching
• Level 6 - Youth Ministry Teaching
• Level 7 - First Year TMM Postgraduate Teaching

Ordinands may engage with teaching either during the day or in the evening and may move between daytime and evening lectures depending on your schedule, however you must ensure you access all teaching relevant to your programme.

International Ecumenical Placements 2021-22

As always at this time of year we invite applications from ordinands and TEIs for overseas ecumenical study placements for the 2021-22 academic year. These placements are important for the Church of England’s ecumenical relationships, as well as formative for the ordinands themselves. The deadline for applications in Friday 18^th December (except for any applications for spending a semester at Bossey which need to come urgently now).

An ordinand currently undertaking one of these placements, at Les Dombes Institute in France, writes:

This placement offers a wonderful opportunity to live as part of a religious community and to enjoy the rich life of work, prayer and study that characterises the Chemin Neuf community specifically. The Community is highly international and the wide variety of the people who make it up is one of its beauties. The placement offers an opportunity to explore ecumenism (particularly in relation to Roman Catholicism), more recent expressions of monasticism, and mission (particularly to families and young people), alongside academic study. There is also space for peace and reflection. A warm welcome is guaranteed and pastoral and academic support is excellent. Everyone will work hard to make you feel at home, and you will quickly become a temporary sister or brother alongside those who make up the permanent Community.

You can find further details here. 

Ministers-in-Training to attend Spring Harvest 2021 for £99

We are excited to announce that our Spring Harvest events are taking place this Easter! Our theme for 2021 is Unrivalled: Why We Worship, and it couldn’t be more fitting as we seek to delve deeper into this topic, including why we worship, how we worship and what happens when we worship our Unrivalled God!

We love opening up our annual events to all ministers who are in training across the UK and are delighted that we are still able to share this special offer with you!

Those training for Christian ministry can now book an accommodation unit with either their family or members of their “bubble” for just £99 per person*! Please note that a minimum occupancy of 2 people per unit is required. This will enable you and your guest/s the opportunity to access the full range of teaching, seminars, worship, entertainment and leisure activities available at our Easter events!

The available dates for this offer at either our Skegness or Minehead location are as follows:

• Skegness - Monday, 5^th April to Friday, 9^th April (four nights)
• Minehead 1 - Tuesday, 6^th April to Saturday, 10^th April (four nights)

*This offer is available to 100 Ministers on a first come, first served basis.

Please see attached the PDF document for the full terms of this offer.

If you have any questions about this offer, please email emily.maguire@essentialchristan.org or phone 07718779011.

To make your booking, please contact: stella.ellwood@essentialchristian.org with your booking details. (Please refer to the attached document for all the details required for making your booking).