News from Colleges and Courses
From 19th April 2008, AOCM Conference
EMMTC
New principal changing it into a theology course rather than theology and ministry. Lots of upheaval as a result – hopefully it will settle down soon. Increasing involvement with Regional Training Partnership. Numbers dropping at the moment, and financial situation looking complex. Pray for strength to cope with the changes.
St John’s Nottingham
Many of our second years (and a couple of third years) are preparing to move on to curacies. There are some that are still to have accomodation arranged and pray for this and those moving on would be great. The first years are beginning their Church placements in the coming week and again, prayer for these placements would be much appreciated. All in all the ordinands at St Johns are doing ok for the most part., i’m sure i will have more to report as i get into my role.
Guildford Diocesan Ministry Course
Our courses are currently validated by University of Wales in Bangor but we have been given notice that the University is withdrawing from such arrangements. Subject to the outcome of a validation meeting between Oxford Brookes and GDMC scheduled for June 9th (about the result of which the Principal is pretty confident), GDMC will be entering into a partnership to deliver the Foundation Degree in Ministry for the majority of our students. The other members of the partnership are the Dioceses of Oxford and Salisbury and Ripon College Cuddesdon. GDMC will also be able to offer students the possibility of articulating onto the BA in Theology and Religious Studies, and possible further degrees. There will be a two year overlap period when we are dealing with both universities as the change will be incremental rather than all at once. Being a second year student I will complete my training under the aegis of Bangor but the new intake from September 2008 will train fully under Oxford Brookes.
At the moment we have twenty Ordinands, four of whom will be ordained deacon this summer. We expect to have a small intake in 2008-09 (partly because we had a large intake of 10 this year). The actual number is expected to be between 2 and 6, but several of these will be on Individual Pathways rather than the standard 3 year modular course.
Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Upheavals settling down internally. Pray for students to continue despite media coverage. Pray also for the impact of the adverse media coverage on the intake – it may well have the effect that the new students are different in character and balance to the continuing students with potential tensions arising.
Cranmer Hall, Durham
Two new staff appointed. Pray that work in the parishes will continue to bear fruit. One member of staff has just published another book. New MA modules starting up, taught by NT Wright and John Drane. New common room president. Finances are in the black! More people from other traditions and from the South are coming to look at college.
CoR, Mirfield
Mirfield has a new principal, with some changes as a result. Not sure of the intake for next year – either numbers or balance of intake. Currently without a female member of staff. Recently joined the Yorkshire regional training partnership. Prayers for Paul Cartwright appreciated – he has recently been diagnosed with leukaemia.
Westcott House, Cambridge
Westcott is bursting at the seams, but finances are still tough. Concerns with students with time pressure. Part of Cambridge Theological Federation, which has challenges and strong positives. A new tutor this term on international relations and inter-faith dialogue, and increasing amounts of inter-religious work.
Northern Ordination Course
Is making the transition to being Yorkshire Ministry Course. New principal in September, but he has been ill since Christmas. Christine McMullen – having to cover for absent colleagues. 24 students moving towards ordination at the moment; numbers look good for the autumn term – 30 more might be joining in September. Would be good for the centre in York to feel more a part of things.
North East Oecumenical Course
NEOC is closing with the new RTPs, to be merged into Lindisfarne RTP. NEOC was due to close this year, but Lindisfarne will not open until a year later, which leaves some students with large amounts of uncertainty for next year’s teaching, as well as staff uncertain about employment.
Oak Hill
New Principal started in September, but he was on faculty previously. Two new faculty members as well. Praise for stable handover. Numbers are generally growing, especially on the Theology and World Mission course and the fourth year MTh course. Pray also for leavers who haven’t yet found curacies. Give thanks for placements being very different to sending churches and benefitting from integration of academic and pastoral training. Pray also for the future – it can’t continue growing at its current rate.
Lancashire and Cumbria Theological Partnership
Have had to go through reorganisation and revalidation of all courses with switch to Cumbria from Lancaster. Still strong numbers coming through, including numbers from Bradford and Ripon.