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The Lost Tradition of Lament

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Tues 17th November 2020. In an era in which many people lament the state of politics, the precarious nature of the ecological health of the planet, and the perennial misfortunes of life, there seems to be a gap in religious

The Love of God and Global Warming

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Wed 18th November 2020. Not until the recent encyclical of Pope Francis has any major denomination addressed the relationship in post-industrial times between the people of earth and the planet on which they live. Christians should not be on the

A Big Sing with the Global Church

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Wed 18th November 2020. The Western Churches, especially its English speaking cultures, have sent Abide With Me, Onward Christian Soldiers and their like all over the world. But what have we received from continents in which the Christian faith took

Developing Personal Spirituality

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Thurs 19th November 2020. One of the keys to spirituality is to recognise that it has to do with relating - to God, and to ourselves - before we relate to others. So how do we envisage the God in

Songs for Lent and Holy Week

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Fri 13th November 2020. In this workshop for local church choirs, John Bell will introduce a mixture of congregational and choral items.

The Imagination as an Aid to Belief

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Sat 14th November 2020. John Bell will lead this morning's Adult Education Forum as part of his Scholar in Residence weekend at First Presbyterian, Howard County.

Sing with the World

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for Sat 14th November 2020. At this Big Sing, John Bell will introduce music from all continents, including several new additions.

Liturgy and Justice: Allies or Enemies?

John Bell regrets he is no longer able to give this lecture, due to bereavement. His visit has been rescheduled for Thurs 12th November 2020. The Reformed Church Center at New Brunswick Theological Seminary welcomes John L. Bell to give the 2019-2020 Poppen-Young Lecture in Reformed Worship. He will be leading two programs during his

The Effect of Sung Text on Faith Development

John Bell regrets he has had to cancel this event, due to bereavement. John Bell will lead worship at the Baltimore Presbytery gathering, and a workshop on the themes of improving congregational song and the effect of sung text on faith development.

The Spirituality of the Psalms

John Bell regrets he has had to postpone this event, due to bereavement. Rescheduled for March 5th-7th 2021. For many believers, the Psalms comprise an essential part of the liturgy of Holy Communion—a welcome pause between the Old Testament reading and the Epistle. The Psalms are much more than this. They are words which nourished

Recurring

Lent Series

Lament for Lent weekly @ weeWONDERBOX God isn't afraid of our grief, doesn't cower when we complain and does not take our lament lightly. Through biblical exploration, discussion and creative expression, we'll have the opportunity, rather than saying "Fine thanks", to let the unsaid out. This six-week series is based on the Church Mission Society's

POSTPONED: Jesus, Justice & Joy

LITTLE VOICES: BIG DIFFERENCE - Spring 2020 Day of Reflection organised by the Leeds Diocesan Justice & Peace Commission. “Where people seldom sense the power of scripture and song in their liturgical life as it reflects or responds to the realities of lived life, we need to recapture the sight of a God who so

Holy Week at Derby Cathedral

John Bell’s Holy Week Reflections are coming on the Cathedral website from Sunday 5th April. We’re sorry John couldn’t be with us at Derby Cathedral but we’re hugely grateful to him for supplying the scripts of his talks.   

POSTPONED: The Spirituality of the Psalms

Africa

The Psalms, which we often see as an intermission between two Sunday readings, have a more profound significance. They were, and still are, one of the foundations of Jewish spirituality. In this retreat we will explore how they can enliven our own devotional life and belief. Led by John Bell.

POSTPONED: Mediterranean Hope

John in NLights

An evening with Fiona Kendall Fiona Kendall is a Scottish lawyer currently working as a Church of Scotland mission partner with Mediterranean Hope, a Rome-based organisation supporting and doing advocacy work for refugees and asylum-seekers. After a short opening liturgy, Fiona will show a short video highlighting aspects of Mediterranean Hope's work, then speak in

POSTPONED: Horror and Humour in the Bible

To the casual reader, humour in the Bible can be totally lost, mostly because we have a habit, when reading privately, of hearing the dullest lector or priest reading the verses in a monotone. But the humour is there, in the Old Testament and in the New for those who have ears to hear. Horror

POSTPONED: Open Table

The Revd John L. Bell will be joining Open Table Liverpool, to lead their monthly Communion Service.

POSTPONED: Conceived in sin – the fun of it!

St Bride’s Public Theology Lecture with John L. Bell. The doctrine of original sin, more than any other theological construct, led to untold awkwardness with regard to issues of gender and sexuality in the Christian churches. Its foundations, which are not secure, need a bit of shaking for the benefit of the biased and beleaguered

POSTPONED: Uncertainty and Hope

An Art and Prayer Workshop led by Carol Marples The post resurrection stories tell of uncertain times, strange happenings, signs of hope and a new way forward. In our uncertain and changing world where do we find hope? How do we respond? What steps can we take forward? A day to reflect through image, music, poetry,

Recurring

Designing & Leading Christian Worship

An online practical theology short course with Mark Johnston and Jo Love. Trinity College Glasgow and Theology & Religious Studies, University of Glasgow. This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their

Ind i Bibelens bøger – en verden af liv

'Into the Books of the Bible - a world of life' In 2020, a new Bible was published in Denmark, in an accessible translation. In this conference, the workshops, lectures, liturgies and discussions will inspire and explore how to use the Bible in a new way. Large parts of the programme will take place in

Exploring the Imagination

Led by John L. Bell. For some people it is a bogus reality, for others a source of delight, but what was God's purpose in bestowing those made in God's image with imagination? In this retreat we will look both at the Divine imagination as exhibited in scripture, and at how our lives are fed

Exploring the Imagination

9. Camas primary school 1

CANCELLED. Sadly, the Abbey is now closed to any further programme sessions in 2020. For some people it is a bogus reality, for others a source of delight, but what was God’s purpose in bestowing those made in God’s image with imagination? In this week we will look both at the Divine imagination as exhibited

The Imagination in Faith, Life and Society

Regarded by some as a dubious entity, the imagination is actually a means by which we can think creatively about ourselves, our faith and our future. The psalmists, the prophets and Jesus all used their imaginations to startle people into a deeper understanding of God and his purposes. This is what we will explore in

Liturgy and Justice: Allies or Enemies?

Alvin J. Poppen & John R. Young Lecture in Reformed Worship, delivered by John L. Bell, online via Zoom. Begins 10am Eastern Time (USA & Canada). Please register here.  

Celebrating the Psalms

The Scottish Church Theology Society 2021 Conference will feature presentations on the Psalms by SUE GILLINGHAM, Emeritus Professor of the Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford, ROWAN WILLIAMS who has recently retired as the Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and JOHN L. BELL who works for the Iona Community in the areas of worship,

Light in the Darkness

On the Feast of Candlemas, the Iona Community’s John Bell will stop by to explore ways of coping with the Covid crisis. Hosted by The Edinburgh Jesuit Centre on Zoom. For more information, contact: edinburghjesuitcentre@jesuit.org.uk

Reflections at the Quay

Postponed from 14th February due to weather. BBC One Scotland & Scotland HD, and on iPlayer. Reflections at the Quay continues its mix of words and music for Sundays. The presenters this week are John L. Bell and Jo Love.

The Spirituality of the Psalms

For many believers, the Psalms comprise a central part of the liturgy of Holy Communion - a welcome pause between the Old Testament reading and the Epistle. The Psalms are much more than this. They are words which nourished the spirituality of Jesus. They abound in insights regarding God's relationship with the natural world, they

Outside Holiness

We invite you to journey with us through Holy Week, as we remember and re-enact the last days of Jesus’ life. Material, prepared by Jo Love and Pat Bennett, can be found here. The booklet offers reflections and questions for each day, along with liturgical resources and suggestions for ways to disrupt our living spaces

Meditating on the Miracles

The miracles of Jesus don't so much get a bad press as get overlooked. It is as if they are an impediment to belief. If they were few in number, they might more easily be jettisoned in favour of Jesus’ 'rational' teaching. But they are not. Cut them out of Mark's Gospel and the pages

Engaging with the Miracles

via Zoom For many Christians, the Miracles are wonderful signs which show the power of God in Jesus. But when we explore them, we discover that they are much more. They reveal to us the goodness and contrariness of humanity – both personal and social – and the sensitivity of Jesus, and they challenge our

The Last Journey

John L. Bell presents a session at The National Network of Pastoral Musicians online mini-conference: Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July. Each evening, from 7-9pm, includes worship, a presentation, questions and a Big Sing. The presenters are Jo Boyce on 23 July, talking about Encouraging people to sing after the pandemic, and on 24 July

Braving the Elements

9. Camas primary school 1

A week’s immersion in the practice and purpose of creative, participative liturgy. Led by Jo Love, Jane Bentley and Carol Marples.

Recurring

Faith, Hope + Climate Change

Trinity College Glasgow invites Church Groups across the UK and Ireland to join their FREE 7 Week Countdown to COP26 Course, "Faith, Hope + Climate Change". Use part of your 2021 home group, youth group, or Bible study group programme to join with others in listening for God's call as we face up to the

Ten by Eight

There are ten Commandments and eight Beatitudes. The former are considered to be restrictive (Thou Shalt Not), the latter rather vague (to be 'meek' sounds a bit insipid). They are long due for refreshment. John Bell will argue that the Commandments are about liberation, and the Beatitudes about the potential in all of us. This

Recurring

Designing and Leading Christian Worship

A practical introduction to designing and leading Christian worship services with Trinity College Glasgow and Theology & Religious Studies, University of Glasgow. Thursday evenings, 7.00pm - 9.00pm plus a Saturday workshop on 20th Nov, taught over 10 weeks in a blended mode of delivery with in-person meetings & instruction (Covid regulations permitting) along with online

The Spirituality of the Psalms

Africa

The Psalms, which we often see as an intermission between two Sunday readings, have a more profound significance. They were, and still are, one of the foundations of Jewish spirituality. In this retreat we will explore how they can enliven our own devotional life and belief. Led by John Bell.

The Importance of the Imagination

Progressive Christianity Network (PCN) Malvern Group event. Zoom talk by John L. Bell. Seen by some as a bogus gift, the imagination is not often regarded as an ally to faith. Yet in both the writing of Holy Scripture and its interpretation, the imagination comes into play as a divine endowment. This lecture explores its

Conceived in sin; the fun of it!

The doctrine of original sin, more than any other theological construct, led to untold awkwardness with regard to issues of gender and sexuality in the Christian churches. Its foundations, which are not secure, need a bit of shaking for the benefit of the biased and beleaguered alike. The St Bride’s Public Theology Lecture series brings

Exploring the Imagination

9. Camas primary school 1

For some people it is a bogus reality, for others a source of delight, but what was God’s purpose in bestowing those made in God’s image with imagination? In this week we will look both at the Divine imagination as exhibited in scripture, and at how our lives are fed and nurtured by the creative

Loving Earth

Loving Earth – caring for the world we love Textile Art Exhibition for COP26, Gorbals Parish Church 50 panels of the Loving Earth Project will be on display at Gorbals Parish Church in Glasgow from 30 October to 14 November. There will also be LEP workshops on 30 October and 7 November. Volunteers are very,

COP26 Vigil

Vigil in Glasgow Cathedral John Bell and Jo Love are co-leading this event organised by Glasgow Churches Together. Prayer and song from across the world as we worship in keeping with the art installation ‘I will learn to sit with you and I will learn to listen’ devised by Peter and Heidi Gardner for COP26.

The Time is Now

As the world gathers in Glasgow for COP26, join Christian Aid, Dr Rowan Williams, the Kingdom Choir and the Young Christian Climate Network for a night of music, prayer and inspiration at Glasgow Cathedral. Contributors include: Dr Rowan Williams, outgoing chair of Christian Aid Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive of Christian Aid The Kingdom Choir, London-based choir,

Horror and Humour in the Bible

To the casual reader, humour in the Bible can be totally lost, mostly because we have a habit, when reading privately, of hearing the dullest lector or priest reading the verses in a monotone. But the humour is there, in the Old Testament and in the New for those who have ears to hear. Horror

In Solidarity with Outsiders

A lecture by John Bell, hosted by St Nicholas Church, Brighton, sponsored by the Sexuality, Gender and Faith Group in Brighton & Hove, and open to all.

The Forgotten Stories

The notion that 'Christmas is a time for the kids' has helped to turn the Advent and Christmas seasons into a babyfest. It also eclipses the significance of incarnation, the importance of adults and even the connection to a woman who murdered a man in a campsite. This short retreat will pull back the curtain

Wee Sing

Songs from the World Church and music celebrating creation led by John Bell

Celtic Perspectives on COP26

Exploring a theological response to COP26 informed by the Iona Community commitment to uphold the integrity of creation, with John Bell.

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