The “thinking ahead about” idea

• Looking at our festivalswhich we already see as special

• Thinking earlierso there’s still time to plan &

prepare• Talking with other churches

so we can learn from each other• Building on what we do already

involving our people and their skills

The “thinking ahead about” idea

• Sharing ideasto refresh our own engagement

• Looking at the Bible so we’re clearer about our message

• Thinking what it really means to usso we’re confident about

what we have to share• Thinking about our local community

to plan for wider & deeper connection

The “thinking ahead about”

challenge:We have to get all excited

and then go back to our own churches

and infect all the planners and doers!

(no problem there, then)

Thinking Ahead about…

Harvest Conversation

1. What do we do for Harvest?

2. The Bible and Harvest

3. What is Harvest about for us?

4. Sharing Harvest

Harvest Conversation

1.What weusually do inour church for Harvest

Ratomir Wilkowski Polish Harvest Festival

Harvest Conversation

2. The Bible and Harvest

The Bible and Harvest

Thanksgiving & Blessing

Fair shares & caring

Good stewardship

Resonances with modern human life?

3. So, what is Harvest about for us?

Harvest Conversation

… our practical experiences

3. What is Harvest about for us…

… in our contexts today

Harvest Conversation

4. Sharing Harvest

Sharing Harvest• The bigger picture• Geographical• Art & Drama• Sharing• Connecting• Taking Out• Welcoming in• Symbolism• Children’s Stories• Kingdom Building

Uphill Scarecrow Festival – Geoff Shephed

Harvest ideas and experiments

What could you do this year?

What have you heard that has inspired you?

Could you do something differently?

Could you use other people?

Sharing ourHarvest ideas

Lunchtime

Thinking Ahead about…

Remembrance

Remembrance Conversation

Remembrance Conversation

1.

What we usually do in our church at Remembrance

Remembrance Conversation

2. The Bible and Remembrance

WARINJUSTICE

SACRIFICE

Remembrance Conversation3. So, what is Remembrance about for us?

Remembrance Conversation

4. Sharing Remembrance

Remembrance Conversation

• The Bigger Picture• Geographical• Media Links• Connecting• Taking Out• Space for engaging• Welcoming in• Art & Drama• Children’s Stories• Kingdom building

Remembrance ideas and experiments

What could you do this year?

What have you heard that has inspired you?

Could you do something differently?

Could you use other people?

Sharing Rememebrance ideas

www.urcsouthwest.org.ukClick on Church Life > Thinking Ahead

The ideas you have shared today will be available on the Synod Website along with other ideas from

the training team.

Safe Journeying.......................