Courses

To help you grow in your spiritual journey you may wish to join one of our courses which we run from time to time.

They include:
Adult Emmaus 'Lite' Course - preparation for Confirmation
Youth Emmaus Course
Lent Course 2009
Betchworth and Buckland House Group

Adult Emmaus ‘Lite’ Course

Are you thinking of enquiring about Baptism or Confirmation or would like an opportunity to discuss faith issues?

A New Course starts in January 2009 (Mondays at 8pm, The Rectory), following a small informal discussion group that has met since last September to discuss belief and faith issues/background theology. If you are maybe thinking about baptism or confirmation or getting married or would just like a chance to share your thoughts I plan to offer the following dates for the new year.

The Emmaus course was written by five Church of England authors. It takes its name from the story in the Gospel of Luke about the two disciples walking from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus. The risen Christ walked with them, sharing their questions and helping them to make sense of their life. Likewise the course is about an accompanied journey, that is, learning with and from each other and from the Lord.

The full Emmaus course consists of 15 sessions but we will only be able to cover about six areas.

There are three main parts:

What Christians Believe

to include: God is there and matters; Jesus-historical background, ministry, death and resurrection, and becoming a Christian

How Christians Grow

to include: Learning to pray/reading the Bible/ belonging to the church and Holy Communion

Living a Christian life

to include: living God’s way, Your money and your life, sharing the faith

The course has been enjoyed by a wide variety of people in different churches: those enquiring about Christian faith, people wondering about Baptism and confirmation; long term churchgoers who are looking for a refresher. There are no expectations put on any members and we aim to provide a relaxed atmosphere. If you are interested in attending or would like to discuss taking your faith further through baptism or confirmation for yourself or a family member please contact The Rector, Carol.

Youth Emmaus (Age 9-18)

A youth fellowship group meeting on Sunday Afternoons was run in early 2008, and we hope to continue meeting in 2009 (from 4pm to 5pm in The Rectory). The group is open to young people age 9 upwards who will enjoy participating in a discussion group and also sharing in some fun along the way.

The course, called Youth Emmaus, can lead some young people to seek baptism and others to take the further step of confirmation. But there is no obligation on their part.

We will be exploring three main themes:
What Christians Believe:
How Christians Grow:
Living a Christian life.

Young people, whether certain of their faith or full of doubts, or just those who would like a chance to chat with others are very welcome to come along.

Lent Course Title: TOUCHING GOD : The Theory and Practice of Prayer and Meditation.

Led by Canon Michael Hart. Mondays in March 2009. The Reading Room Buckland 8.00p.m. to 9.30p.m. Starts March 2nd

Betchworth & Buckland House Group

Becoming a member of the House Group provides and informal discussion in a sociable atmosphere run by members of the congregation and meeting monthly, except in Lent and in August. This year they have read the reports on ‘gay’ ordination and blessings and considered angels, which are mentioned more than 300 times in the Bible, but do we take them seriously? The Group’s main recent study has been “Attitudes”, a book by Giles Fraser, who also writes in the Church Times and the Guardian. He does not pull his punches and is not afraid to shock.