Masters

Now started working on my dissertation - good tutorial today with Debbie (who I will miss when she leaves). I will have the opportunity to visit Wesley College to do some of the research, and that means I can mix a visit to Mum & Dad at the same time. I will be able to do the dissertation over the whole year - which will be a reasonable pace. Debbie has already introduced a couple of helpful extras - Gadamer and Wittgenstein (2 famous philosophers). It is really good to cover more new ground.

formation

Training as a student minister is underway. I am now working with several new people, and it is good to both get to know them, and see how my old colleagues are getting on in their new colleges. We have new tutors this term, and this gives some excellent alternative perspectives. I am enjoying the new perspectives, and looking forward to the coming year. I am "sitting in" on the level 2 sessions again, and we are looking at pastoral care this term. The sessions and information are quite challenging, with different perspectives on pastoral theology.
The challenge for me over the past couple of weeks has been several references to the only real way to learn is through crisis points. This really does not connect with me - not that you cant learn in this way. Its more to do with the dismising of slow and steady - so it was great to finally hear about an alternate theory that does recognise this form of learning.

Back in the groove...

The time is coming for me to think about going back to college. My study this year will consist of doing my dissertation. The working title has been accepted - I will spend alot of time researching John Wesley's writings and reading up on modern leadership.
I will also have one day a week at UTU in sheffield for my Formation - joining a group with a few other student ministers as we move towards developiung a greater understanding of our callings - It will be good to get to know some new people, and see some a few of my old colleagues, but most are studying at other places.

Dissertation

Now that I have finished my 4 assessed modules (which I understand qualifies me for a Postgraduate Diploma - heh-heh-heh!) I now move onto my dissertation.
I hope to be looking at John Wesley's leadership and theology, and how that might be helpful to today's Methodist presbyter (not Minister because I have to narrow the focus). This should mean some interesting exploration of Wesley's original writings.
I hope to do some case studies of current practice, so I will be seeking some volunteer presbyters to help.

Training

I will now train for 2 years part-time at Urban Theology Unit.
This means that I will carry on working for the Sheffield (West) Circuit.
In order to fit everything in I may have to alter my hours a bit at work, and consider using the time I currently spend in my home Circuit preaching in a placement in another circuit.
Still to work all that out with Christine at UTU.
I will team up with the people who are already training on a part-time basis some of whom I already know. i will miss my friends and fellow travellers as they are all going somewhere else, but will look forward to hearing about their journey's.