The diocese’s lay learning course ‘Walking Together in Faith’ gets underway the week after next but there is still time to sign up. The course, which is on the online learning platform Moodle, comprises four modules each with five sessions and will run over 12 months. Module One, ‘Knowing God’, begins by exploring prayer. All participants can choose the level of engagement which suits them and can decide whether to do the course as part of a local group or as individuals.

Those taking the whole course who choose to submit work for assessment will be awarded a ‘Bishop’s Certificate’. The course is free for all participants, but there will be a small cost for anyone working towards the Certificate.

Diocesan Director of Lay Discipleship, Dr Clare Amos, who has been coordinating the development of the course can’t wait to get started.

‘I am so excited about the course,’ she says. ‘There’s already been so much interest in it from around the diocese. I find it encouraging that the idea for the course came from the grass roots – this is not a “top down” project. In putting this together, we have been responding to a desire from within our chaplaincies.

‘This course is designed to encourage anyone who is part of a worshipping Christian community, to explore and deepen their faith,’ Clare adds. ‘If you have already undertaken a course such as Alpha, a confirmation course, or the Church of England Pilgrim course, it will encourage further learning. It is also intended as offering a foundational basis for those thinking of exploring some form of authorised ministry in the Church.’

How to get involved

Module One is already on the Moodle platform. You can take a look by visiting https://europe.learn.anglican.org/, clicking 'login as a guest' and putting in the password: LayLearning2022. But, to get the most out of the course, participants must register. This will give you access to online webinars, online discussions and other interactive materials. This is free – unless you want to submit work for assessment. Click here to download the registration form.

Participants who have registered will receive Zoom links for the online course. Zoom links will also be sent to anyone wanting to join a training session to lead a local course. The Zoom links will be accompanied by a brief explanatory note to help the sessions run smoothly.

Covid’s creative impact

Covid has played a big part in the evolution of the course. At first the aim was to produce material for people meeting face-to-face in local groups. But as the pandemic forced people online, so the authors realised the potential of producing something which could also engage with participants right across the diocese, whatever their local context. It also encouraged greater use of audio-visuals materials and interactivity.

‘As this is the first year, I am certain that the course will continue to evolve,’ says Clare. ‘In time, I am hoping to have special guests at online events during each module. We will also work on training for those who are leading local courses. I feel like this is the start of an exciting journey.’

Another key factor has been the backing of the Benefact Trust (formerly the Allchurches Trust) which has helped to fund the course.

Dates for the diary

Participants can opt to do the course at their own pace but the first online session for those who have registered to do the course on line will be led by Dr Amos on Tuesday 11 October at 7.30pm (CET). The remaining four sessions for Module One will be on 25 October, 8 and 22 November and 6 December. Each session begins at 7.30pm CET and will last about 90 minutes.

Training sessions for anyone running a local in person course will take place at 3pm (CET) on 11 October or 7.30pm (CET) on 14 October. Please let us know if you would like to participate in one of these training sessions for leaders.

Module Two, ‘Growing in Christ’, will begin after Christmas. For more information contact Dr Clare Amos at clare.amos@europe.anglican.org