The prophets bought fields, smashed pottery and ate scrolls but how far should our discipleship go to speak God’s word into the public arena? From voting to non-violent direct action how best can we be activists for God’s Kingdom? The workshop will be a chance to reflect together on discipleship and what it looks like in public life. About David Hardman David is currently the Methodist Team Leader of the Joint Public Issues Team and a former convenor of the London District Social Responsibility Commission. David is a Methodist Minister who has also served as Senior Regional Coordinator for Christian Aid in the North West. He is a committed activist having been involved in local and national campaigns including tax justice, refugee rights, drop the debt, nuclear disarmament and trade justice and is the co-founder of the Network of Methodist Activists.

The workshop will explore resources from the various traditions within Methodism that may help make the Eucharist a healing space for survivors of abuse. Drawing on the thought of Barbara Glasson among others, it offers an opportunity to begin challenging conversations about working well with survivors, and thinking through how the way we approach Holy Communion, the stories we tell and the images we use, can make a difference. About Karl Rutlidge Dr Karl Rutlidge is a Presbyter in the Kingston upon Thames Circuit, who is also studying for a PhD exploring issues in science-faith dialogue. He is interested in Eucharistic theology, and how theology can be grounded in the life of the church.

God can speak to us as clearly in our imagination as through our thoughts and our memories. Imaginative contemplation is a way of praying that engages our feelings, emotions, and senses to encounter Jesus. Through the meditation, you can place yourself in a particular passage and meet Jesus in a personal and unique way. Contemplating a Gospel scene is not simply remembering it or going back in time. Through the act of contemplation, the Holy Spirit makes the love and message of Jesus’ life present to you now.

Since the start of the pandemic and the closure of churches, we have all become aware of the importance and potential of digital methods of communication in discipleship and outreach. The digital world has become vital in building community, resourcing prayer and allowing all to access worship, as well as in tackling loneliness and isolation. It is also a powerful method of reaching those who might otherwise never have set foot in the physical space of church. Join this workshop to hear and become inspired about the many ways in which churches can creatively engage with our world online. About Ali Johnson After completing his BA in Theology at Cliff College, Ali worked for Swanbank Church in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. He has a background in mission and evangelism, particularly in a digital setting. He also sits on the boards of the Christianity Enquiry Agency and All We Can. Ali is creative and can often be found designing, taking pictures or making videos.

Why is it right for us as Christians to engage with injustice in our communities? What does justice look like? In this session we will use Biblical passages about justice to reflect theologically on the communities we live in, and to explore what justice would look like for those communities. We will also identify a specific action we can take to tackle injustice. About Sally Rush Sally is Learning and Development officer for the London Region of the DMLN. She is also a qualified life coach, Methodist Local Preacher and trustee of Citizen’s UK. Sally is currently studying part-time with Roehampton University for her doctorate in Theology, sponsored by the Susanna Wesley Foundation. In her spare time, she likes going round art galleries, museums, and the like with her husband Karl, who is a Methodist Presbyter. She also enjoys going to rock, indie and pop-punk gigs and follows the fortunes of Ipswich Town Football Club closely.

About Ian Rutherford: Revd Ian Rutherford is the City Centre Minister based at Central Hall Manchester on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. Before entering the ordained ministry Ian was a Commercial Solicitor for over 25 years. His final role was as the Legal Lead for Gateshead Council's landmark construction projects of Gateshead Millenium Bridge, Baltic- The Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead and for projects to build 5 schools and an Energy from Waste Plant. Ian's interests include Architecture, Art, Politics, Rugby Union, Theatre, Blues music, Italian cuisine and Japanese culture. Ian is committed to civic engagement and social justice and his current priorities in Greater Manchester are Housing and Homelessness, Food Security, Refugee Support, Challenging Hate Crime and Climate Change. Ian is the Faith Sector Lead on Homelessness and Housing for Mayor Andy Burnham, Chair of the Greater Manchester Food Security Network, a Trustee of the Greater Manchester Mayor`s Charity, on the National Leadership Team of Citizens UK and on the Core Team of Movement for Recovery.

Jesus didn’t write a book; he formed a community. Jesus didn’t go to Oxford or Cambridge; he went to the Sea of Galilee. In this workshop we will take a deep dive into what Jesus’ life teaches us about contextual discipleship and how we can apply these principles in our own situations to make disciples who passionately love Jesus and thrive in their faith journey.

What is your experience of belonging – or not – in church? Where would you place the church (your local church, or the Methodist Church, or ‘The Church’) in the journey toward inclusion? And where would you place the story of your own journey? In this workshop, we will explore these questions – and more – through an interactive mapping exercise. (It will involve pirates! If you’re curious, come along and see ….) We will reflect on the prophetic ways in which our own stories weave into and through the larger stories of the Christian Church’s long, ongoing journey toward inclusion. About Lia Shimada Dr Lia Shimada is a geographer and theologian based at the University of Roehampton, where she serves as Senior Researcher for the Susanna Wesley Foundation and Associate Chaplain of Whitelands College. Previously, she worked with the peacebuilding process in Northern Ireland, and as a Connexional Officer in the British Methodist Church. Alongside her university roles, Lia runs a consultancy practice specializing in mediation and community dialogue.

Join Sharon Nugent and James Pickin from the Learning Network team for a taster session to the Growing Through Change and Conflict module. This session aims to give you an understanding of conflict and from that understanding be better placed to be people of peace and reconciliation.

At the Woven weekend there will be interactive sessions and activities aimed at children and young people aged 8-17. These exciting activities include sessions on how to be a peace-making, an exploration of the call to act justly, using the walking with Micah material. We will also be looking at the prophetic voice of children and young people and how they can hear from God. These sessions are interwoven with various arts and craft activities, escape rooms, paracord making and a board game and movie night.