The Church of Ireland Council for Mission has announced two one-day conferences to raise awareness of overseas mission within the Church of Ireland. The title Global Shaping Local: Two-way Mission' reflects the Council's hope of increasing the Church's understanding of its calling to assist the developing world, while also acknowledging that we have much to learn from the developing world in its experience and approach to faith and mission.
The conferences will be held in two locations in November 2016:
St. Columba's Parish Centre, Omagh - Saturday 5th November 2016, 10am-4pm. Facilitated by the Rt Revd Kenneth Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe.
The Charleville Centre, Tullamore - Saturday 12th November 2016, 10am-4pm. Facilitated by the Rt Revd Kenneth Kearon, Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert.
The keynote speaker at both events will be the Revd Dr Mark Welsh, Mission Development Officer with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. There will be an interview with a mission partner and a choice of five workshops, facilitated by the Association of Missionary Societies (AMS).
The Council for Mission is inviting every parish in the country to send a representative, to inform themselves of the current challenges in overseas mission and how we can better address mission in our local context. Participants will have the opportunity to attend two of the following workshops: Engaging Youth in Mission; Helping without Hurting; The Bible as a Key to Mission; The Five Marks of Mission; and Two-way Mission: When Global Shapes Local.
There will be a small charge £8/€10 to help to cover costs. Places can be booked by Friday 30th September by contacting Mrs Brigid Barrett on 00 353 (0)74 9145226 or by email at: brigid.missionbookings@gmail.com
In advance of the conference, the Council for Mission is also encouraging as many members of the Church of Ireland as possible to complete the following survey to determine the level of involvement in global mission: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016GMS