Projects

Northampton RC Diocese

‘The Micah Conversation’ emerged from the Mark Davis’ work assisting the Diocese of Northampton with its process of development and renewal. The desire of Bishop Peter Doyle to promote ‘conversation’ in the diocese and his choice of the famous Micah quotation as the motto for his episcopacy, led to the creation of this process.

During 2010 some thirty people were trained as facilitators to deliver ‘The Micah Conversation’ in its parishes and pastoral areas. Now divided into three teams operating in the North, Centre and South of the Diocese - some becoming lead facilitators; others facilitators of conversation groups. The Team leaders, who also assisted in delivering the training, are Fr. Francis Higgins, Fr. John Udris and Deacon Philip Pugh.

Everyone involved has expressed their appreciation for the quality of the training process and are now making plans to deliver ‘The Micah Conversation’ in several localities starting in Lent this year. A rolling programme is being organised for its continued unfolding over the next three years.

Heswall Methodist Church

Our offices are ‘nestled’ within the property of the Methodist Church in Heswall - Wirral, so we were delighted when they expressed an interest in being one of our pilot projects for ‘The Micah Conversation’.

Six people completed a two day training course to equip them to facilitate the small conversation groups, and, after a very successful ‘Orientation Day’, five conversation groups were established. The fruits of these conversations were presented back to the whole group at the ‘Day of Celebration & Discernment’ in November 2010, with more ideas and aspirations being added during that day. This picture is now the basis for an ongoing journey for the whole church. In a note to the whole congregation, the Minister, Anne Rigby-Jones, has said ‘This process has allowed much of the church community to journey more closely together than usual and they have felt inspired and more empowered to move forward together...’

We look forward to seeing where their journey takes them...

Edmund Rice Network

‘The Micah Conversation’ is proving to be of great value to any group of Christians who consider themselves to be a community and wish to examine their interconnection and discern their future. Recently, the Edmund Rice Network in the UK – an informal association of people connected to the Christian Brothers and their schools – undertook this journey of faith together.

Gathering in three conversation groups in Stoke, Liverpool and Manchester, they were facilitated by Wilf Hammond, Shelagh Lochery and Tom Murray – all of whom had successfully completed our training process in 2009.

Feedback during the ‘Day of Celebration & Discernment’ which concludes the process was extremely positive with all appreciating the opportunity “to speak the truth from their hearts with love”. Several voices expressed the desire to build on the experience with further conversations to come – this time involving teachers and parents and wider groups of friends.

Anglesey RC Diocese

Leaders from the churches on Anglesey first expressed an interest in ‘breathing spaces’ in the Autumn of 2009 and, following a couple of ‘introductory events’ later in the year, a training group was formed with 12 people from across all 3 of the Island Parishes.

The training began in February 2011 and, allowing for summer holidays, completed in September. The group did not all know each other when they began the course but really enjoyed journeying together and getting to know one another better as the course progressed. Not only did everyone in the group become skilled in facilitating a ‘breathing space’, they also felt that the attitudes and behaviours embodied in this type of facilitation could enhance many of the interactions and groups that they were already involved across the parishes.

A few months on, we are planning to support the congregations on Anglesey through an Island-wide ‘Micah Conversation’ with those trained in facilitation running the conversation groups. The Orientation Day is planned for May this year with the whole project running for 6-7 weeks.