Practicalities

How much does it cost to attend?

The suggested contribution to cover costs for the weekend is £20 or £25 (with £5 going to the travel bursary fund). Simple food and accommodation will be provided. You can pay online when you register your place or you can send a cheque in the post.

If you are finding it difficult to pay your travel costs there is a travel bursary available. Please get in touch with the SCM office (scm@movement.org.uk / 0121 2003355) if you would like more information about this.

Where will I stay?

The main accommodation is on the floor at St Peter's House! So you will need to bring a camping mat and sleeping bag with you. There will be separate areas for men and women, plus a mixed area.

We can also arrange for you to stay with a local church contact if you would prefer not to sleep on the floor. Of course, if you have friends you want to stay with in Manchester or you want to arrange your own accommodation then that is fine too.

There's room on the registration form to let us know where you would like to stay.

How do I get there?

St Peter’s House (SPH) is the ecumenical chaplaincy centre for the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music. It is situated in a big 1970s red-brick building set back from Oxford Road, right in the middle of all three institutions. If you scroll down this page you'll find the travel directions to download.

What should I bring with me?

If you are sleeping at St Peter's you will need to bring a camping mat, sleeping bag and pillow. If you have asked to stay with a local church contact we will put you in touch with them so that they can let you know if you need to bring any bedding / towels etc.

You may also like to bring a Bible, notebook and pen plus musical instrument if you play one (please let us know if you would like to play during the prayers).

All meals will be provided but you may want to bring a small amount of money for snacks or drinks.

If you have a plastic/travel cup and bowl that you can bring - that would be helpful, as our crockery supplies are a bit limited!

We advise you not to bring valuable items like laptops etc, but there will be a secure room where valuables and cash can be locked away if not needed.

Programme

We will be based at St Peter's House, Oxford Road, Manchester. See the programme below for more details about what will be happening over the weekend. If you have any questions, please get in touch!

Friday
17.00 Arrivals and registration at St Peter’s House
18.00 Evening meal
19.00 Welcome and introductions, meeting in small groups
20.30 Night prayer (with prayer around the cross) at St Augustine’s
21.30 Free time and socialising

Saturday
08.30 Morning prayer at St Augustine’s
09.00 Breakfast
09.30 Welcome and registration at St Peter's House for day participants
09.45 Reflection on the theme, followed by small group discussions
12.20 Midday prayer at St Augustine’s
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Workshop slot 1 (14.00 – 15.30)
Break and tea/coffee (15.30 – 16.00)
Workshop slot 2 (16.00 – 17.30)
17:45 Evening meal
19.30 Prayer at Manchester cathedral (until 20.45)
21.30 Free time and entertainment

Sunday
09.00 Breakfast
09.30 Closing activity
11.00 Join with ecumenical service at St Peter’s or other churches in local area
12.30 Lunch and goodbyes

Workshops

The Saturday afternoon is set aside for workshops on a range of topics - time to reflect, discuss, create and take action. Many of them will pick up the theme of Freedom.

You'll be able to sign up to the different workshops on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Venues for the workshops will be announced on Saturday morning.

Il Signore ti ristora – Taizé song practice
led by Clare McQuitty
Space to learn and practice some of the Taizé songs that we’ll be singing over the weekend. For singers and musicians.

Hidden Treasure: seeking our vocation
led by Br. Paolo
Reflecting on our life with Matthew 13:44-46. Come and explore this topic with an introduction followed by discussion.

Building a prayer labyrinth
led by Clare Dowding from St Peter's House
Together we’ll be creating an outdoor prayer labyrinth. Come and get involved in the practicalities, and take some time at the end to walk the labyrinth.

Safe in my Prison: the temptations of isolation in 21st century life, from Facebook friends to ‘Playstation Warfare’
led by Amy Hailwood (FoR) and Matt Jeziorski (Pax Christi)
Join The Fellowship of Reconciliation and Pax Christi to explore the dynamic tensions between freedom and safety in our personal relationships and international security policies. This fun and interactive workshop will encourage both personal reflection and political action.

Practical service: volunteering at a house for asylum seekers
led by the Boaz Trust
Something completely different! The Boaz Trust is a Christian organisation working with destitute asylum seekers in Manchester. You’ll be helping to clean and clear out one of the Boaz Houses up the road in Rusholme. Please note: This workshop option is for the whole afternoon - but you can take some tea and biscuits with you!

Living simply in a consumer world
led by Rosie Venner
Why might we choose to live simply? Perhaps to share wealth more justly or to live more sustainably in a world of limited resources? To break free from the social pressures of consumerism? Can it be joyful? Together we’ll share our own experiences, challenges, questions and hopes in an honest conversation about simple living.

SCM: Being part of the movement
led by Andy Treharne
This workshop is designed for both current and prospective members of SCM as well as those who are just curious. The workshop will provide an introduction to SCM and will focus on the history of the movement, what it stands for and why/how the movement is run by its members. We will discuss how people can become involved in aspects of the movement such as events, campaigns, groups and others. SCM is your movement, come and find out how you can be a part of it and shape its future!

Exploring "the blissful responsibility to enjoy the world" through its own substance
led by Anna Sikorska
A creative workshop! Using materials from our everyday lives, you are invited to gather together to make, break, weave, build, entangle, fix, and prepare. This is a space for enjoyment of materials and process with no required outcome, no expectations and a starting point of a small willow frame. All are welcome!

Who Counts? Freedom for people excluded by poverty and homelessness
led by Liam Purcell (CAP)
People experiencing poverty in the UK are denied the freedom to participate in society - they cannot live life in all its fullness. Hear the stories of how people are cut off and left behind. Learn how you, and your church or SCM group, can pray, act and give during Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2011, to make sure that everyone counts.

Day participants

If you can come for the whole weekend then we encourage you to do so, but you are also welcome to come for part of the programme on the Saturday as a day participant.

If you are coming for the whole day on Saturday, then please aim to arrive at St Peter's by 9.30 for registration and welcome. If you are coming just for the Saturday afternoon and evening prayer then please aim to arrive at St Peter's for lunch.

Space is limited so please do let us know if you are planning to come. You don't need to register online in the same way but you do need to let us know the following information by email to scm@movement.org.uk.

1. Name and contact details
2. Age
3. University (if applicable)
4. Graduation date (if applicable)
5. Any allergies, dietary requirements or special needs
6. Anything you would like to help with (e.g. music / singing)
7. Estimated arrival and departure times, plus which meals you plan to join us for (please take a look at the programme for timings)

If you are just coming for the evening prayer then we don't need to know the info above, but do drop us a quick email (scm@movement.org.uk) so that we have an idea of numbers.