KEYNOTE SPEAKER

JOY: THE SURPRISE OF THE GOSPEL
Eamonn Mulcahy

In this input we hope to explore the meaning of Christian joy by first rapidly highlighting the theme of joy in the Hebrew Bible and in the four Gospels, and then attempting to show how authentic joy can be the identifying characteristic of Christian women and men in a world often tinged grey with sadness, suffering and insecurity. We hope to identify the causes of our joy by unpacking the meaning of God’s wild and passionate love for us as it is revealed both in the unconventional ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and in his surprising rising from the dead.

Eamonn Mulcahy is a Spiritan missionary from Manchester. A priest since 1980, he has been on mission in Africa. He has extensive experience of Adult Faith Formation in the UK and leading spiritual retreats to priests, religious and lay-people all around the world. Eamonn is now back in the UK on the team of the inner city Holy Spirit Parish in Manchester whilst continuing active involvement in educating street kids back in the infamous slum of Kibera, Nairobi.

WORKSHOP LEADERS

​COLOURS OF GOD
Christine Dodd

A workshop in which participants will use colour to explore some Scriptural   images of God and what they mean for us. Participants do not have to be good at art - just willing to engage with the process!
 
Christine Dodd was the Director of Adult Education for the Diocese of Hallam until her retirement. She is a published author and watercolour artist who has exhibited in the UK and in the USA. Christine is also experienced in the use of other media including pastels and acrylics. She is an experienced spiritual director and retreat giver.

THE JOY OF OPENING PRESENTS: ISAIAH AND THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Timothy Swinglehurst

The workshop will explore the joy of receiving and living our lives in the wonderful gifts we received from God at Confirmation for the service of Christ in the Church and the world around us.

Timothy Swinglehurst is a priest of the Leeds Diocese.  He has a degree in Scripture and is currently working on new resources for Confirmation.

WHERE DID HE APPEAR?
Michael T. Winstanley

Exploring historical, literary and theological aspects of the Resurrection Narratives.

Michael T. Winstanley is a Salesian of Don Bosco. He Lectured in New Testament Studies for many years at Ushaw College, Durham. He has served twice Provincial of the British Salesian Province and for  many years he was based in the Salesian Youth Retreat Centre in Bollington. Michael  has written books on the Gospels and Gospel Spirituality, and given retreats in many different countries.
​

​LECTIO DIVINA - MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD IN SCRIPTURE
Johan Bergström-Allen

Lectio Divina (Latin for "holy reading") is a way of praying with the Bible in a slow and reflective way, either on your own or as part of a group. First devised by medieval monks, in recent years Lectio has been rediscovered by Christians at large as a simple yet moving way to encounter the Word of God. This workshop will give a short background to the theory and various practices of Lectio, before doing a period of Lectio as a group.

Dr. Johan Bergström-Allen is Communications & Outreach Manager for the British Province of Carmelite friars. His academic research specialises in the spirituality of the medieval English Church. Johan is Chair of Churches Together in York.

​MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS IN THE GOSPELS
​Chris Maunder
 
This workshop is a reverential but also intellectually honest review of what we know about Mary the mother of Jesus. The Gospels and Acts are the only sources of information about her as a figure in history. Modern biblical scholarship has presented us with some challenges in our understanding of Mary.
 
​Chris Maunder is a senior lecturer at York St John University. He is also the chair of two charities: the Centre of Marian Studies, based in Roehampton, and a trust that looks after a Marian shrine in Knaresborough. His books on Mary include Origins of the Cult of the Virgin Mary and Our Lady of the Nations: Apparitions of Mary in 20th Century Catholic Europe. He is editing a forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Mary, due to be published next year.

PSALMS, HYMNS AND INSPIRED SONGS
Greg Ryan

What does Scripture have to say about music? And how does our music make use of Scripture? This workshop explores these questions through a selection of biblical passages, well-known hymns and more recent Christian music. There will be some singing of course, for which enthusiasm rather than technical skill will be required!

​Greg Ryan is the Adult Formation Advisor for the Diocese of Hallam, and an experienced pastoral musician. He is currently studying for a PhD in theology at Durham University, with particular interest in Pope Francis’ The Joy of the Gospel, tradition and change in the Catholic Church, and receptive ecumenism.​

PROMPTING PRAYER WITH SCRIPTURE
​Kathryn Turner

Prayer Stations are a simple way of bringing scripture to people – encouraging them to engage with short passages in ways that bring them to life in new ways. This workshop will look at existing Stations and, hopefully, inspire you to create your own!

​Kathryn Turner is Head of Department for Spirituality in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

WORD ON THE GO: The Bible for Busy Catholics  
Fleur Dorrell

How can busy Catholics make Scripture part of their daily life without it being time-consuming or heavy going? This workshop looks at a new resource that does exactly that! Whether for 5 mins or 20 mins we show you how to fit the Bible into our busy lives and deepens our faith.

Fleur Dorrell is an applied theologian working jointly for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Bible Society as their Scripture Development Co-ordinator.

SCRIPTURE AND FAMILIES
Caroline Dollard

Pope Francis asks us all in our parish communities  to renew appreciation of the sometimes surprising joy of love experienced in families, in the ups and downs of family life, and to find ways of engaging and affirming families in living out their love as best they can, discovering God’s presence with them.
 
This workshop offers an overview of a new resource, Counting our Blessings, and a taster of its gentle process, a conversation about things that matter – called  the ‘Real Questions’ of life.  Into this conversation, the Word of God in Scripture is proclaimed, and participants are encouraged to hear the voice of God speaking  into their lives;  a word of love and acceptance, or guidance, comfort, hope and  truth, of vulnerability and courage, of love that knows no bounds (The Joy of Love #22 and #227).

The ‘Real Questions’ are about ‘real’ experiences in family life, for example, what’s it like to fall in love?  Or to care for someone who is suffering? Or To grieve, or feel isolated and lonely? What’s it like to listen and be listened to? To experience deep joy? And to discover and celebrate the blessings hidden in this graced experience.

Introducing ‘Counting our Blessings’ a scripture based resource for ministry with families
Counting our Blessings has several broad aims: to help build  warm, welcoming spaces for dialogue with individuals, couples and families, and help them discover that the love learnt first in the family is intimately connected to God’s love, and God is very close to them.  The resource hopes to create opportunities for family members to experience a growing sense of acceptance and belonging in the wider community of God’s family, the Church. Each session can stand alone, and be used in a variety of pastoral or catechetical situations.
 
Caroline has lived in the Diocese of Middlesbrough for the last 21 years, and works for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales in the area of marriage and family life ministry.  She is married with 5 children and 3 grandsons.​​

​ART AND SCRIPTURE
John Ryan

Looking at representations of the Annunciation in paintings from different periods in order to explore the theology and scriptural understanding portrayed in these works.

Monsignor John Ryan is a Parish Priest in Rotherham, and Director of Adult Formation for the Diocese of Hallam. He completed his licentiate in Fundamental Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and gives regular talks and workshops in the diocese on Scripture, faith, and pastoral practice.

BLAZING GRANNIES (Bible and Drama)
F. Mary Callan
​
CREATING BIBLE DRAMA - Workshop am
Bible drama can reach unreachable audiences. How does it help us learn and grow, and then share what we are learning? This workshop will look at characters around two Old Testament stories, what they teach us, and how to present them.


CRADLING THE HEARTACHE - Workshop pm
Using Bible stories in therapy and counselling, to address modern day problems, whether 9/11 and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Hagar in the wilderness and a lonely pregnant teenager, sibling rivalry and Joseph sold into slavery. This workshop will remind us that God has seen it all before, and how using Bible stories can open up a flood of grace into broken lives.


F. Mary Callan got into writing and acting completely accidentally, and now regularly performs at the Edinburgh Fringe. She will bring copies of her newly-printed SIDE DOOR INTO THE GOSPEL for sale today. Here is some feedback I've received ... "I learnt more about the Old Testament from you in 40 minutes than in four years training to be a permanent deacon." Peter the deacon.

RESOURCES

In addition to the workshops, a number of speakers and organisations will display resource / exhibition materials, including...

Bible Society
​
The Wednesday Word

The Carmelite Order

St. Paul's Bookshop (York) will run a bookstall featuring a range of Christian titles, including those of some of the workshop leaders.

Word on the Go: the Bible for Busy Catholics free postcard packs for everyone

​Blazing Grannies ​