The Edgehill Christian Education Centre is the lay training department of Edgehill Theological College. Last year it introduced a new course, Faith in the Frame, to help the artistically talented link their ability to the expression of their faith.
Members of the class were encouraged to produce pictures illustrating Bible studies, or aids to worship. So successful was this course that the ECEC is making another new venture this year.
Called Write from the Heart, it is designed to encourage those who enjoy writing or who think they might. It will explore different types of writing, such as poetry, personal experience, and magazine articles.
Details of both courses can be had from Mrs Elaine Barnett at ECEC, 9 Lennoxvale, Belfast, BT9 5BY. Tel: (01232) 682153.
Edgehill College will also be the venue for a Disciple training seminar from September 8th to 10th. Originally developed in the US, Disciple is a course of Bible study aimed at leading participants into Christian discipleship.
It has been effective in a number of Irish churches. The seminar will be led by the Revs David Range and C.J. Walter of Limerick.
Preparation for the new millennium in an international context is being planned by the European Council of the United Methodist Church. It is organising a conference for lay workers at the Hotel Artos, Interlaken, Switzerland, from September 11th to 17th.
Speakers will include Bishop Heinrich Bolleter of Zurich, Dr Lothar Elsner of Stuttgart, the Rev Wilhelm Nausner, Secretary of the Central Conference of Middle and Southern Europe, the Rev Harold Ruckert of Wurzburg, and the Rev Walter Wilhelm of Zurich.
The conference will consider recent developments in European Methodism, its unity and role in ecumenism, and its vision for the future.
These themes will be examined not only in relation to the church as a whole, but also in respect of local churches.
The idea of vocation is very often associated with the ministry, or with evangelism. This is the focus of a resource pack recently produced by the Methodist Publishing House in Peterborough.
It includes material to assist the user in identifying his or her particular calling. The nine sections are designed to help people at various stages of Christian experience.
Next weekend, from August 27th to 30th, the Irish Christian Endeavour Union is holding a Young People's Camp at Greystones in Co Wicklow which will have a programme of recreation and worship. The Rev Andrew Dougherty will give a series of talks entitled Dangerous People of the Bible.
Tomorrow the president of the church, the Rev Dr Kenneth Wilson, will be preaching at the morning service in the Methodist Church at Dun Laoghaire. During the weekend of September 4th and 5th he will be participating in the anniversary of the church at Glengormley.
On the Saturday evening he will speak at a celebration dinner, and on Sunday will preach at the morning service.