About Our Vision Events
March 3, 2016
If you haven’t yet been to one of our Vision Events, you might be wondering what they are about.
The strapline for the events is, “Let’s learn something new together” and they are opportunities to dig deeper into the vision of the diocese. This can mean opening up aspects of the gospel or Christian life that are new to us; looking at things in a different and life-giving way. For some people, these events have been a turning point in their faith.
Paul Francis, the Lead Pastor of Glenwood Church in Cardiff was the inspiring leader of the last Vision Event, “More than Surviving”, which was attended by about 60 people. He challenged our definitions of Church; too often we restrict that definition to the building when actually the church is a wonderful precious thing full of life. We were called to be a welcoming church, a church proclaiming the loving Jesus, not a God ready and waiting to condemn or scold us. Jesus’ heart was a missional heart, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations….’ and so ours should be as well.
The afternoon session was spent looking at how well we care for ourselves using the words from Proverbs (4:23), ‘Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.’
We were reminded that we have to cultivate a life that helps us to keep falling in love with Jesus.
The next Vision Event, on 5th March, is called, ‘Living in Exile’ and will be led by the Revd Canon Padraig Gallagher and Ruth Gallagher. It builds on Paul Francis’ theme, giving us the chance to think about how we cope in an ever changing church, and what our theology and psychology actually teaches us about that.
‘By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept…’how can we come to terms with a future that looks so unlike our historic church life? What does our theology teach us and what can we learn from psychology?
About Ruth and Padraig Gallagher
Padraig grew up in Co Donegal, Ireland, leaving there at the age of 20 and has been an exile ever since! Currently the incumbent of the Parish of Caereithin and the Bishop’s Officer for Social Responsibility, he is also a professional counsellor and a member of the BACP. He has worked in Prison Ministry both in the UK and in Chicago.
Ruth grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, leaving the US in 2005 to be an exile in Swansea! Currently lecturing in counselling at the Townhill Campus of University of Wales Trinity St David, she is also a professional counsellor, and a member of the BACP. Ruth works with clients at the Community Counselling Service based at the Townhill Campus. She has worked in Hospital and Parish ministry in Chicago; and also is a spiritual director.
Both Ruth and Padraig are members of the Healing and Deliverance Ministry Team in the Diocese.
To find out more about booking for this event, follow this link.
Book by 26th February to catch our early bird booking offer!
