Livability Events
We aim to provide high-quality training and reflection days to churches and Christian organisations at affordable prices.
NB. If cost is a hindrance for you, please call our coordinator, Jill Clark, on 020 7452 2018.
How can we serve the community faithfully, distinctively and confidently?
Date: Wednesday 10 March 2010
Time: 9.45am – 3.30pm
Location: Salvation Army International HQ, 101 Queen Victoria St, London, EC4V 4EH
Cost: £20/person, including lunch, to be paid on the day
To book: We regret, this event is now fully booked. For further information please email jclark@livability.org.uk
What is the context?
All urban communities in the UK are now diverse with people of different faiths and race contributing to the life of the community. In this context, how can the Church engage in the community in a way that is inclusive but also distinctively Christian?
“I wonder sometimes whether churches committed to community projects forget who they are. So often the Christian motivation and fuel gets lost, with the danger that the project or community involvement becomes just another well-meaning intervention.”
Richard Sudworth, Distinctly Welcoming
Who is this day for?
This training day is aimed at anyone involved in community mission who wants to keep the Christian faith confidently integrated into the work they are doing.
What will this day focus on?
- A distinctive approach to Christian mission
- Evangelism in a multi-faith context
- Community action and other faiths
- Spirituality for working in a multi-faith context
Who is facilitating?
Our facilitator is Richard Sudworth, a CMS mission partner and consultant with the organisation Faith to Faith. He is also chair of the Springfield Community Project in Birmingham and the author of acclaimed book Distinctly Welcoming: Christian presence in a multi-faith society.
For more details and discussion, see his blog: www.distinctlywelcoming.com
How can I book?
Contact Jill Clark on 020 7452 2018 or email her: jclark@livability.org.uk
Directions to Salvation Army International HQ, 101 Queen Victoria St, London, EC4V 4EH
Please note that Blackfriars tube station is CLOSED (but Blackfriars rail station remains open) so your other tube station options are Mansion House and Cannon Street, both within a 10 minute walk. Bank station and St Paul's are also close, about a 15 minute walk.
When you arrive, look for a large glass building on Queen Victoria Street. It is at the start of the walkway to the Millennium Bridge (the Tate Modern is on the other side of the river).
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Statistics, anecdotes and transformation
Date: Wednesday 14 April 2010
Time: 9.45am - 3:30pm (We will start promptly at 10am)
Venue: St George’s Centre, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3BR
Cost: £20 per person, including lunch, to be paid on the day
Booking essential: Contact Ruth Smith on 0113 350 8070 or rsmith@livability.org.uk
- Are you required to complete lengthy forms for funding or monitoring?
- Are you concerned about the gap between funder 'outputs' and real transformation?
- Do you want to be clear about the difference your project is making?
- Do you want to communicate better the successes of your work to your funders?
At Livability, we are aware of concern within churches and community projects about how to assess whether a project is successful or not. Funders and statutory agencies often insist churches and projects complete lengthy forms but often these just give a statistical side of the story. Church culture often goes the other way - assessing work through the way it is presented by charismatic individuals who are good at sharing stories and anecdotes. Both of these are important but generally do not give the whole story.
This day will help you…
- Assess and measure whether your community project is being as effective as it could be
- Communicate more effectively and authentically the success of your project to stakeholders and funders
- Grow in confidence about the overall effectiveness of your community work
We will…
- Use a wide range of interactive exercises to help you reflect on your work
- Use practical assessment tools that you can use after the training day with your project staff and volunteers
- Ensure that the day is fun, focused and dynamic and will help your community work be as effective as possible
Why we are hosting this day
In our 2009 training survey more people asked for ‘Measuring success in my community project’ than any other topic. We are hoping this day will help.
To book: Contact Ruth Smith on 0113 350 8070 or rsmith@livability.org.uk
Directions to St George’s Centre, Leeds:
St George’s is in the city centre next to the Leeds General Infirmary. We suggest ou come by public transport - the railway and bus stations are about 8 minutes walk away. All day parking is limited to city centre multi-storeys.
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A residential event led by Tom and Christine Sine
“If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.”Matthew 17:20, CEV
For the last seven years, Livability’s Community Mission team has
hosted an annual residential event for busy Christians involved in
their communities. Our aim is to help you find refreshment and renewed
passion for your life, work and ministry in this new decade.
Join us in 2010 and discover creative new ways God can use our mustard seeds
to be a difference and make a difference in these turbulent times
Tom & Christine Sine will present new challenges that are likely to face the urban poor, those who work with them, and the Church, as we race into an increasingly volatile new decade.
Date: Wednesday 27th-Friday 29th October 2010
Timing (approximate): Start 4pm Wednesday- end 3pm Friday
Venue: Hothorpe Hall, Theddingworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6QX
Cost: Single room: £215/person including all meals and en-suite room (with £20 discount when booked before 30th June)
Shared room: £160/person including all meals and en-suite room (with £20 discount when booked before 30th June)
To book: Contact Jill Clark on 020 7452 2018 or email for a booking form
What you can expect
- Learning practical ways to anticipate how our urban communities, our churches and the larger world are likely to change in the future
- Visiting a comprehensive range of new challenges that are likely to impact our lives, congregations and urban neighbours 2010 to 2020
- Discovering what God is doing through Christian innovators, particularly young risk takers, in a range of different countries
- Imagining how to work from biblical images of hope to new models of life, community and engagement
- Inviting you to actually use your imaginations to create new possibilities for life and service in changing times
- Enjoying friends who are committed to integral mission in our cities a well as partying for the kingdom
Introducing our facilitators
Christine heads the ministry of Mustard Seed Associates an international network that seeks to unleash the creative potential of ordinary people to make a difference in their communities and a world of urgent need.
Christine has taught courses for Fuller Theological Seminary on Urban Mission. A doctor, she previously headed up the medical ministry of Mercy Ships. Her newest book is GodSpace is written to help followers of Christ to create new spiritual practices and she has also co-authored Living on Purpose: Finding God’s Best for Your life with Tom. She also has an active blog written by authors from around the world on how to fashion spiritual practices for daily life.
Tom has worked as an urban social worker and educator as well as developing a community development project in Haiti for World Concern and has also taught at Fuller Theological Seminary. These days he and Christine are trying to learn what God is doing through a new generation of innovators which led Tom to write The New Conspirators: Creating the Future One Mustard Seed at a Time in 2008. His previous books include Mustard Seed Vs McWorld: Re-inventing Life and Faith for the Future.
Christine & Tom and their golden retriever Bonnie live in Christian community with others called the Mustard Seed House in Seattle USA where they are active in an Anglican church. Christine is a keen gardener and they grow 40% of their own vegetables which Tom loves to cook!
What people said about our 2009 residential event:
“I loved the rhythm of the event, enough sessions and breaks, and being with so many people who shared a passion for ministry. It was refreshing and reflective.”
“The Bible teaching, rooted in service and experience, made me connect to others. You have created a home here for so many – it’s really special.”
“I really needed this and feel better able to go back to serve my community.”
About the venue:
Hothorpe Hall is a restored manor house dating back to 900AD. It is located in a small village in Leicestershire with wonderful views of green fields, sheep and stars at night (a special treat for city dwellers!). For travel directions, please visit Hothorpe Hall’s website.
Why has the cost gone up?
We try to keep the cost down and each year we subsidise this event to make it possible for people from churches and community projects with limited budgets to come. This year, due to financial constraints, we regrettably need to decrease the subsidy.
The team has recently lead volunteer management training days in a number of local churches, as well as a range of other training. If you would like the team to come to your church and lead a training session, please contact Jill Clark at jclark@livability.org.uk. The cost is negotiable.