Grand Day Out Programme
Saturday 20th September Oxford
10.00 Gather for prayer in Christ Church Meadow
11.00 Workshops, speakers and activities*
12.30 Picnic on Christ Church Meadow (bring your own; but no BBQs
please)
14.00 Workshops, speakers and activities*
15.30 Open air worship on Christ Church Meadow
*Please note: sessions are free but you need to book tickets for individual events. See the
Eventbrite links for each speaker.
See more at: http://www.oxford.anglican.org/missionministry/projects/imagining-faith-grand-day/#sthash.GNCmCvjD.dpuf
Grand Day Out: speakers
Please note that you need to book to attend sessions. Please use
the Eventbrite link on each speaker page on the Diocesan website.
Morning (11.00)
Mary Berry Recipe for Life - St Aldates.
TV cook Mary Berry discusses her life and faith and her recent
autobiography with Bishop John. –
Mary Berry has written over 80 cookery books with total sales of more than six
million. Her long career has encompassed TV and radio, most recently the
BBC series The Great British Bake Off. In an article in BBC Good Food
Magazine she was voted by the public as third favourite chef/cook for most
reliable recipes after Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith.
Mary Berry is happily married with two grown-up children and five
grandchildren. She lives in Buckinghamshire and is a passionately keen
gardener.
Matt Bird The Cinnamon Network – Changing our world
through community engagement - St Aldates Christopher
Room- Making a difference in the world is an essential aspect of
Christian faith – and it’s something that thousands of church
members do across our diocese every day. But how can we
best serve our communities in a world that’s changing so
quickly?
Matt Bird will share some of the experience and ideas of “The Cinnamon
Network” a partnership of churches, charities and businesses that offer
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guidance, projects and funding to churches that want to transform the
communities in which they are found. Community projects supported include
food banks, Street Angels, Night Shelters and many more. Come, be inspired,
share your stories and think about how to change the world where you live.
Marian Partington Becoming forgiving - St Mary the Virgin - Forgiveness is a
challenge for most of us. For some, the challenge is
extraordinary. Marian, in conversation with Michael Lloyd, will
recount some of her own pilgrimage to forgiveness after the
murder of her sister Lucy at the hands of the killers Fred and
Rosemary West. Describing “the kingdom of heaven as so
much stronger than anything that’s happened”, Marian will tell
how articulating the unspeakable has moved her life from a
place of crucifixion to a place of resurrection – the gift that
forgiveness offers to us all.
Marian Partington is the author of the acclaimed Guardian essay, Salvaging the Sacred and her more
recent book If You Sit Very Still (Vala 2012)was chosen by Rowan Williams as his Book of the
Year for the TLS and the New Statesman in 2012. She has worked in prisons and schools as a story
teller and facilitator for the Forgiveness Project since 2004.
James Hanvey Discernment - St Mary Magdalen. God is at
work in all things. How can we dispose ourselves to work with
Him? This is the task of discernment. This session will draw
on the strengths of Ignatian spirituality to explore how we can
find and co-operate with God in all the different situations of
our lives and communities.
It will help us to explore the ways in which the Spirit is moving within us and our
world. Part of discernment is also coming to recognise and understand where our
difficulties and resistances to co-operating with God may lie. Through such
discernment we can seek the desire and the wisdom to live, serve and reverence
God in the whole of our lives.
James Hanvey SJ is Master of Campion Hall, Oxford. He has been a member of the Society of Jesus
(Jesuits) since 1975. He is a theologian, having been head of the Theology Department at Heythrop
College, University of London and Director of the Heythrop Institute for Religion Ethics and Public
Life.
Andrew Briggs How science can strengthen faith - St Michael at the Northgate
The material world studied by science can provide reasons
for believing in God, and can even give nudges about his
character. But the sequence can also work the other way
round. For the believer who already knows God, science can
provide an enhancement of the relationship with the
creator. For this reason science is an indispensible
component of Christian theology.
Andrew Briggs studied for his PhD at the Cavendish
Laboratory, Cambridge. At his suggestion a verse from the Psalms has been
inscribed over the entrance of the new laboratory: The works of the Lord are
great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. What scientists do is
find out how God makes the world work. In Andrew’s laboratory at Oxford this
includes experimental tests of the nature of reality in the context of developing
materials and techniques for quantum technologies.
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Andrew is Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford. He is currently writing with Roger
Wagner a book due to be published in 2015, entitled The Penultimate Curiosity: How science swims
in the slipstream of ultimate questions. Since 2010 he has been responsible for proposals to the
Templeton World Charity Foundation.
He has over 575 publications, with more than 12,500 citations. His forthcoming book with Roger
Wagner is The Penultimate Curiosity: How science swims in the slipstream of
ultimate questions. His research interests focus on nanomaterials in which the spin states can be
harnessed for quantum technologies, and their incorporation into practical devices.
Allan Doig Revealing ourselves - the Cathedral at 11am and 2pm.
Our church buildings say much about us and our communities.
The way we use our buildings, look after and present them tells a
story about the people we are to ourselves and those who pass
through. These stories are both grand and intimate – they speak
of our faith, how we care for individuals, how we shape the places
in which we live.
Being able to read our buildings is an essential skill for anyone who wants to use
them better to connect with the world around us. A walk around Christ Church
will be a case study of reading a building that can be used anywhere.
The Revd Dr Allan Doig is Fellow and Chaplain at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. An architect by
training, Allan was previously Lecturer in the History and Theory of Art at the University of Kent,
Canterbury. He teaches and advises on church architecture and worship in Oxford and around the
world.
Martyn Percy The signs of the times - Catholic Chaplaincy the Newman Room
What’s going on in the world and culture in which we live? How
are consumerism, individualism, globalism and a host of other
‘isms’ shaping our lives and the way we see things? How do we
live in our world as people of faith? And in a world where signs of
faith are everywhere, how does belief shape the world we’re in?
Martyn Percy will help us read the signs of the times – offering
perspective, ideas, hope and imagination.
Martyn Percy is currently Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, near
Oxford. The College is one of the largest Anglican ordination training centres in the country. It also
incorporates the Oxford Ministry Course and the West of England Ministerial Training Course, as
well as a renowned research and consultancy centre (the Oxford Centre for Ecclesiology and
Practical Theology) and the Cuddesdon School of Theology and Ministry (for those exploring a
vocation).
Andy Gosler and Andrew Lack Imagine what you can see, Andy Gosler and
Andrew Lack will be leading sessions at 11.00 and 14.00, departing from outside
Linacre College on South Parks Road – Can you imagine the abundance of life
that’s all around you – plants, birds, insects, animals, fungi and more? It’s there
all the time yet we often don’t see it – either because we don’t know what to
look for or because we’re rushing on by. This session offers the opportunity to
spend an hour in creation with eminent naturalists Andy Gosler and Andrew
Lack, to see the world through their eyes and enjoy what’s there. Come for a
time of wonder, vision, beauty and imagination.
Andy Gosler describes himself as simply in love with the natural world. More
formally, he is University Research Lecturer in Ornithology and Conservation at
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Oxford University, where he holds a joint position between the departments of Zoology and
Anthropology. He is also Fellow in Human Sciences at Mansfield College, and Lay Chair of the
Cowley Deanery.
Andrew Lack is Senior Lecturer in Environmental Biology at Oxford Brookes
University. His main research interests are in plant breeding systems, genetics and
pollination and the cultural significance of human interaction with birds and
plants.
Andrew has undertaken extensive survey work on the ecology of plants and birds
in many parts of the world. He has an intimate knowledge of the British flora,
vertebrate fauna and some insect groups and extensive knowledge of the flora of
Scandinavia, Greenland, Cevennes (France), Dominica and birds of many parts of
the world. He speaks frequently to local natural history societies, bird clubs and gardening clubs
mainly on pollination, other aspects of plant ecology or robins.
Afternoon (14.00)
Emma Bridgewater and Matthew Rice Making it work – at St Aldates
How do you make it work as a family? How do you make it work
where it’s difficult? Husband and wife team Emma Bridgewater and
Matthew Rice established their “quintessentially British pottery
company – Emma Bridgewater” in 1985. They took the brave decision
to set up manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent, the home of British
ceramics, but a place most companies have fled to outsource
production overseas. Emma and Matthew will talk about the
challenges of making this work within their marriage and family, and
in a commercially difficult environment. They will reflect on the role of faith, the
importance of kindness and the cost of being committed to building local
communities.
Emma Bridgewater owns the eponymous pottery company that she set up in 1985. Emma met
Matthew Rice in 1987 when they were both selling their products at London trade fair Top Drawer,
and married shortly afterwards. Matthew now runs the company.
They are very proud of the fact that all their pottery is made by hand in a factory in Staffordshire.
They have bucked the trend of the decline in the potteries in Stoke-on-Trent, and their factory on the
banks of the Caldon Canal employs around 200 people in their shops, café and studio alongside the
factory and warehouse.
Emma and Matthew live in Oxfordshire. Emma’s early family life – which
inspired the Emma Bridgewater business – took place round the kitchen
table, and that is still the focus of Emma and Matthew’s life with their four
children today.
Matthew Rice is the Managing Director of Emma Bridgewater Ltd. Matthew
is also the author and illustrator of five books on architecture: Village
Buildings of Britain, The Lost City of Stoke on Trent, Building
Norfolk, Rice’s Architectural Primer, and Rice’s Church Primer.
Outside of work, Matthew is a keen cook and gardener, with an enduring
interest in wildlife that informs his illustrations for the Emma Bridgewater Birds and Animals ranges.
Justin Byworth Standing in several worlds – St Aldates Christopher
Room. As Christians, we are people of the world, but also citizens
of heaven. In today’s globalised world technology, travel and
consumption mean that our worldwide neighbours are closer than
ever. At the same time huge differences in wealth, culture and faith
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often place deep divides between us. How do we make sense of all this? How
can we live with relevance to what God is doing around us locally, nationally and
globally? This session will challenge us to think what it means to stand in several
worlds.
Justin Byworth is Chief Executive at World Vision UK, overseeing strategy, direction and
performance towards our mission ‘to inspire the UK to take action that transforms the lives of the
world’s poorest children’. He has worked for World Vision for over 20 years, spending eight of these
in Cambodia, managing humanitarian and development programmes, which included four years as
World Vision’s National Director there. He has also worked with World Vision International on their
development policy, programmes, monitoring and evaluation. Justin’s areas of interest and expertise
include leadership and organisational development, faith and development and the effectiveness and
accountability of humanitarian and development programmes. A graduate in ecology from University
College, London and a published writer, Justin is married with four children and lives near Oxford.
He is an active member of his local church, keen mountain walker, runner and football supporter.
David Porter Disagreeing well – St Mary the Virgin
Living with differences is the biggest challenge of our day.
How can we do this without resorting to violence or the use
of laws that are plainly abusive? Our church needs to model
a better way for a world in conflict. This session will explore
the things that drive our disagreement and violence – the
insecurities we have about our own identities and the
feelings we have about those who are “not like us”. It will
encourage us to address these forces in our lives.
David was Canon Director for Reconciliation Ministry at Coventry
Cathedral until December 2013 when he was seconded full time to the
Archbishop’s personal staff. Previously he was co-founder and Director of
ECONI (Evangelical Contribution on N Ireland). An experienced community relations activist, peace
building practitioner and community theologian, David is honorary Research Fellow in Peace Studies
at Coventry University. In 2006 he was Visiting Practitioner Fellow at the Centre for Reconciliation,
Duke University Divinity School. From 2007 until 2011 David was a member of the Northern Ireland
Community Relations Council. In 2007 he was appointed by the British government to the
independent Consultative Group on the Past. Chaired by Lord Eames their report to government in
2009 set out proposals for how to deal with the legacy of the troubles in Northern Ireland.
In 2000/03 David served on the Northern Ireland Civic Forum, chairing its working group on peace
building and reconciliation. He is an honours graduate in Theology from the London School of
Theology, with a Masters in Peace Studies from the University of Ulster.’
Gwen Adshead Hard roads – walking alongside others in difficult places – Mary
Magdalen
Keeping people company through difficult times and
situations is challenging. It’s tough to know what to say
or do and we’re all too conscious of our limitations and
inability to stand completely in another’s shoes. This is
all hard enough in everyday life. As someone who’s
worked over the years with people who have done
terrible things, psychotherapist Gwen Adshead has been
challenged to accompany others through experiences
almost impossible to imagine. Gwen will reflect on how she’s sought to
undertake this task and the lessons she’s learned about walking alongside others
in the way of the cross and in the hope of resurrection.
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Gwen Adshead is a Forensic Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist. She trained at St George’s hospital,
the Institute of Psychiatry and the Institute of Group Analysis. She is trained as a group therapist and
a mindfulness based cognitive therapist and has also trained in Mentalisation based therapy.
She worked for nearly twenty years as a Consultant Forensic Psychotherapist at Broadmoor Hospital,
running psychotherapeutic groups for offenders, and working with staff around relational security
and organisational dynamics. She now works in a medium-secure unit in Hampshire.
Gwen also has a Masters’ Degree in Medical Law and Ethics; and has a research interest in moral
reasoning, and how this links with ‘bad’ behaviour. Gwen has published a number of books and over
100 papers, book chapters and commissioned articles on forensic psychotherapy, ethics in psychiatry,
and attachment theory as applied to medicine and forensic psychiatry.
Gwen was a castaway on Desert Island Discs in 2010, and has made many appearances on BBC
Radio 4. She was honoured with the President’s Medal for services to psychiatry in July 2013.
Ruth Valerio Living lightly – St Michael at the Northgate
How can we live well when we’re drowning in stuff? What does
it mean to eat well, when so many are either going hungry or
living on junk? How can less be more? And what does this mean
for us as church together as well as individually? Coming with
more questions than answers, Ruth will provoke our
imaginations, asking us what it can mean to live the Good Life
as Christians in the 21st Century.
Dr Ruth Valerio is Churches and Theology Director for Christian environmental
charity, A Rocha UK, and director of Cred, the Fairtrade jewellery company.
She is sometimes described as community activist, academic, eco-warrior, mum,
author, veg grower, wife and pig keeper all rolled into one!
Allan Doig Revealing ourselves - for details see morning programme
Krish Kandiah Welcoming children – Harris Lecture Theatre, Oriel College
In some cultures it’s said “it takes a whole village
to raise a child”. In our context, how might our
churches work together to improve the lives of
some of the most vulnerable people around us; the
estimated 6000 children in our country who live in
local authority accommodation? The needs of such
children are often met by individual families
through fostering and adoption. It’s amazing and
rewarding but can also be challenging and exhausting.
What might it be like if whole churches could help such activity, supporting those
who care, sharing both the joys and the difficulties? Working with the
Evangelical Alliance and with the charity Parents and Children Together (the latter
founded by the Bishop of Oxford in 1911), Krish Kandiah has been working with
churches to help them pioneer a better way to love and provide a home for
children in care. Why not come and find out how your church could get involved
in this work too?
Dr Krish Kandiah is Executive Director for Churches in Mission and England at the Evangelical
Alliance UK. He is the author of seven books (to date) and in 2008 was made Associate Research
Fellow at London School of Theology. Krish and his wife Miriam have three birth children, one
adopted daughter and a steady stream of foster children in their care.
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Andy Gosler and Andrew Lack Imagine what you can see – for details see
morning programme
More details of events and speakers are being added all the time. Please check
the website regularly for news and updates.
Grand Day Out: activities
Messy fiesta
Messy Fiesta takes place at 10.30 –
15.00 at St Matthew’s Grandpont
Approximate walking time from Memorial
Gate, Christ Church: 15 minutes
We have an action-packed
programme to suit families,
especially aimed at pre-school,
infant and primary aged children
with their parent, carer or
designated adult.
We have an all-day drop-in Messy Church with regular worship throughout the
day. We also have a team of puppeteers, specialised worship and activities for
the under 5’s, ‘Stagefright’, Prayer Spaces in Schools, a quiet sensory room
designed particularly for those who love quiet and for those with special needs to
chill out.
Rachel Turner will share her wisdom on being Christian family and nurturing
faith at home alongside Victoria Beech, the creative genius behind ‘Godventure’
– again the emphasis on resourcing Christian families. (BRF & GodVenture
resources will be available to purchase on the day.) When you’ve had enough of
that and used up the last ounce of energy on the Bouncy Castle there will be a
place to sit down and have a cuppa in the all-day café.
The children and family ministry activities take place at St Matthew’s Church and
St Ebbe’s School in south Oxford.
Please note that all activities are adult and child friendly and that children remain
in the care of their parent, carer or designated adult at all times. Some activities
have number restrictions and a ‘booking in system’ will operate on the day on
first come first served basis.
Living the Difference Café
The Living the Difference café is at St Ebbe’s
Church and Hall all day
You’ll find a warm welcome at the Living the Difference
Café … together with Fairtrade and local food and
drink, and a chance to meet and talk with other
people asking the question: “How does faith make a
difference in our lives? And how do we live to make
a difference to others?”
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We’ll be hosting all sorts of people who are “living the difference” - a folk singer, a
street pastor, a Fair Trade pioneer, a theologian and eco-activist … and many more - in a fast
moving magazine-style programme of interviews, talks, and discussions.
Hear their stories and then catch up with them over some cake. Comedy and
music will also be part of the programme. Come for a chat, engage with the
programme, or just drop in and see what’s happening. Aimed primarily at older
teens and people in their 20s and 30s … but there is no age barrier to “Living the
Difference.”
Imagining faith through songs, prayer, drama
and other activities suitable for people with
learning disabilities
Imagine what it can be like for us
all – including people with
learning disabilities – to live as
people of faith in our diocese at
the start of the 21st Century.
From 10am until 2.45pm, in
the hall of St Michael at the
North Gate, we will be exploring
this in many different ways, all suitable for people with learning disabilities. We
will then join everyone else at the Grand Day Out on Christ Church meadow at
3.30pm for Bishop John’s farewell Eucharist.
Please bring a picnic lunch with you. Anyone can come – but please
contact Andrew Mackie of Prospects (who have lots of experience of running
this kind of event with people with learning disabilities) at andrewm@prospects.org.uk
so we know roughly how many to expect. Andrew would be glad to send you
more information about the day and about how to get to St Michael at the Northgate
and the facilities there.
Stop! Enjoy! See! Pray! A short pilgrimage
route around Christ Church Meadow
Christ Church Meadow is a beautiful oasis at the
heart of our diocese. On the Grand Day Out, a
short self-guided pilgrimage trail will be laid out
around its paths to help you take some time out
with God and to listen for his presence in your
life.
Please pick up a pilgrimage guide at the
information tent situated on the worship field at
the meadow and take the opportunity to enjoy
this special place. We suggest that to experience
the trail fully will take about 45 minutes.
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