Small Groups
In April 2025 the College gathering explored ideas around small groups in churches - from Bible study groups through to how Elders’ and Church Meetings are facilitated in ways which allow everyone to have a chance to speak and contribute without dominating. Conciliar leadership is an art not a science and we explored ways to deal with difficult situations when people dominate and various techniques in dealing with difficult topics. As ever we gathered for worship together. We balance giving students the opportunity to lead worship and develop this skill in a supportive environment and allowing students to see different types of worship be led by the tutor team. Evening and morning prayer were offered by Andy and Fiona, with Andy showing how each of the five senses could be utilised in worship. Students experienced the gentle smell of incense in the background as they entered the chapel. They touched water and made the sign of the cross on each others’ foreheads as a sign of the cleansing power of forgiveness. They were invited to taste and see the Lord’s goodness as bread and salt, and wine and grapes were shared in an agape/love feast rite. They saw the subtle use of lighting and candles create a relaxing atmosphere and heard both music and silence enhance worship. Expanding the rich range of worship experiences from what might often be found in the URC, students may consider how to engage more of the senses in worship they lead in local churches.
Holy Communion
In March 2025 the College gathering explored various topics around Holy Communion; one of two sacraments recognised by Reformed Churches. Having already considered the URC’s theology of the Lord’s Supper in earlier sessions on the Manual, students were invited to explore what the essential parts of a Communion service are. (This is particularly important in a tradition where set liturgies are not prescribed). We considered thanksgiving, memorial, words of institution, and the epiclesis (a prayer for the Holy Spirit) as being the essential in the Western Church tradition. Students were given the chance to practice reading a Communion Prayer from the Communion Table and to think about practical aspects of distributing the elements. We will return to this topic again and again alongside similar sessions on Baptism.
The Manual
Over four on-line sessions between October 2024 and January 2025 Andy Braunston led our students and some final year students from Northern College in looking at aspects of the URC Manual. We looked at the Basis of Union and the theology contained within it as well as the vows made at Ordination or Commissioning and at later inductions. We looked at how the URC structures itself in its various Councils and Committees and looked at the relevant parts of the URC Acts of the UK Parliament and how they need to be followed when dealing with property and trusts. The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion were explored - both the theological position of the URC and in some pastoral scenarios. We also looked at the URC's Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration and the discipline process for when things go wrong. Students had pre reading and quizzes to undertake before each session which helped discussion and learning flow more easily. Students reported the sessions were very useful as they prepare for service in local churches.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In January 2025 the students gathered in Glasgow to explore the life and theology of German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Through watching a biography and reading some of his writing students explored various themes in Bonhoeffer's life - his experiences in America in a black majority church, his growing opposition to Hitler culminating in his close involvement in a plot to assassinate him. We explored the concept of public religion and preaching truth to power - Bonhoeffer's radio broadcast after Hitler became chancellor and the more contemporary words surrounding Mr Trump's inauguration. Students were asked to draft prayers to mark the accession to power of someone they profoundly disagreed with. In the weekly online College sessions since the in-person gathering students have continued to explore some of Bonhoeffer's ideas and to see how they inform many types of theological approach now.