Looking Ahead to 2018

Published / by Dean Eland

Looking Ahead to 2018. Collaboration for Local Public Theology.

In 2017 the Urban Mission Network and Pilgrim Uniting Church joined with others to provide insight and inspiration about the church’s call to mission, called to give witness to the love of God in Christ as word and deed (UMN Vision). The program included quarterly workshops with guest resource leaders from the UK and interstate. Reports and records of these events can be found on the UMN and Pilgrim Church web sites.

In 2018 we will be extending our collaboration with others and this will include the SA Synod Subcommittee for Public Theology and Mission with Rev Sandy Boyce as convenor.  The Local Public Theology programme will build on what has been achieved and draw on the experience of others, including insights and ideas about the way congregations connect with their neighbourhood and respond to changing social attitudes and cultural trends. A draft resource paper is available with recommended web site links to a range of networks and groups in Australia, Europe and North America that share this vision.

The annual programme of the UMN will assist congregations learn from practice through shared gatherings and conversations.  Other threads in working together will draw on the Assembly commitment to Social justice and Advocacy, the annual Pilgrim Symposium and Effective Living Centre workshops and events. Support for existing groups will include the Covenanting Committee, Multicultural and Cross Cultural Ministry and Circle of Friends.

Check out our web sites as we plan to have dates and events listed in January 2018.

For further information and your suggestions and insights contact…

Dean Eland djeland@bigpond.com

Susan Burt susan@urbannetwork.org.au

Sandy Boyce boyce@pilgrim.org.au