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.