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1.1 As if the Ministerial Education and Training Course at Mansfield College had not suffered enough change already, we had to cope with further changes in 2001. The Revd Dale Rominger, the Assistant Director, was appointed to a full-time post at Church House in March, and left us after the end of the spring term. We were not able to make a new appointment before the following term, so for a term Tony Tucker returned to help us out, but took his last bow at the end of that term. We are very much in his debt. From September the Assistant Director's post has been filled by the Revd Julian Templeton. Julian is the minister of Highgate URC, and divides his time equally between Mansfield and Highgate. He is responsible for placements and internships and for the teaching of preaching and worship, and is also working with Regent's Park College in pastoral training. 1.2 Regent's Park has had its own changes. In September, the Revd Dr John Weaver took up the post of Principal of the South Wales Baptist College in Cardiff, and was replaced as Director of Pastoral Training by the Revd Robert Ellis from Bristol. These two major changes in personnel have enabled us to press ahead with a thorough revision of the programme of pastoral training, in which Mansfield and Regent's Park staff have both been closely involved, and proposals are being discussed with the student bodies in both Colleges. The objects are to make the programme more structured and coherent, and more definitely owned by both Colleges on equal terms. At the time of writing this revision is far from complete, but we are hoping that it will be in place from this coming September. 1.3 One change we have already implemented is to enable a greater integration of academic and practical training by asking students, from next year, to start their internships in the third year, moving to the part-time mode of the Bachelor of Theology courses and studying modules of the B. Th. alongside their internship work. 1.4 There has been no change in the staff at Mansfield teaching B. Th. courses. The Revd Dr Walter Houston teaches Old Testament studies as well as being course Director, New Testament teaching is given by the Revd Dr John Muddiman and Ms Lynda Patterson, and Ms Peggy Morgan continues to teach world religions. The College remains an active member of the Oxford Partnership for Theological Education and Training. 1.5 The Governing Body of the College has produced proposals for a revision of the College Statute governing ministerial education. The United Reformed Church and the Congregational Federation have produced a joint response to these proposals, in the case of the URC through its Training Committee, but the College has yet to consider this response formally. 1.6 In the summer, however, we shall say goodbye to the Principal, Professor David Marquand, as he comes to the age of retirement. He is to be replaced by Dr Diana Walford, at present the Director of the Public Health Laboratories for England and Wales. She is the first woman and the first scientist to be appointed Principal. She has already expressed warm interest in Mansfield's work of ministerial education and training. 1.7 New students for the course in 2001 were few, in common with all our training institutions: two, both from the URC, beginning their training, and one moving from STETS, where she had trained for the non-stipendiary ministry, to complement this with an internship in order to complete her training for the URC stipendiary ministry. This brings our total numbers to twelve, including as usual an exchange student from Bern, with two others on internship, five (three from the URC) in the second year and one completing the B. Th.. Final B. Th. results for our students in November were very satisfactory. At the time of writing we are not able to say how many new entries there might be in 2002. 1.8 It is good to report that we now have two full-time ministers and one other part-time student working for in-service qualifications in Applied Theology. We would be happy to receive further applications from ministers with good theology degrees for this part-time course. This is included in the partnership with Regent's Park, where most of the teaching is done. We would also like to repeat that staff are available and willing to speak to ministers' summer schools and conferences out of term time. The strength of our staff is mainly in biblical studies. 1.9 Please pray for Mansfield and its staff and students as they negotiate this difficult period of its life. 2.1 Student Numbers for the 2001-2 session reveal a considerable reduction on the previous year due to the general down-turn in URC candidates for designated ministries. Nevertheless, our 28 stipendiary, 6 non-stipendiary and 5 CRCW students keep us very busy. In addition, Northern College staff are playing an active role in Luther King House provision for CME and lay education. It is particularly heartening to have several URC ministers enrolled on our taught Master's programme. 2.2 We welcomed the Revd Dr Lesley Husselbee to the staff-team at the start of the session. Her brief involves being Director of the CRCW programme, as well as having a major role in the provision of CME and placement learning. Equally pleasing is the fact that we have appointed the Revd Dr Mary Cotes as Tutor in Biblical Studies. Starting next September, she will provide a focus for teaching in Old Testament. Mary is no stranger to Luther king House, since she prepared for ordination at the Northern Baptist College, and at present she serves the Baptist -URC congregation in Pontyprydd. A third 'newcomer' is Irene Cooper, a Methodist Church and Community Worker, who has become the chaplain to the Faith in Living course. 2.3 Our new and much smaller Board of Governors has started its work under the leadership of Professor Clyde Binfield. Now that so much of our educational involvement centres upon the Partnership for Theological Education, Manchester, and, hence, is delivered ecumenically, the major work of the Governors is carried out in the activities of the Luther King House Trust and the Partnership Council. Issues about the best ways to collaborate and work together inevitably are being raised as the ecumenical journey proceeds. 2.4 A major appeal has been launched to provide funding for the development of Luther King House, including the creation of a new learning resource centre and some much needed 'social space'. Roger Bogg's leadership during his term as President of the Partnership has been significant and the search for his replacement has started. Meanwhile, our validation agreement with the University of Manchester has been renewed, with very favourable comments being made about our educational programme, which now covers the whole range from undergraduate certificate to PhD. 2.5 The College has been grateful over the years for the generous contribution of our 'subscribers', both individuals and churches. The new Scheme of Governance has no provision for subscribers, but in their place we have created 'Friends of Northern College', with all former subscribers automatically becoming Friends. A Friends' committee convened by the Revd Geoff Tolley is arranging for a newsletter to be produced twice a year and it is planning reunions and events up and down the country. 2.6 While the inner city and rural dimensions of our School of Mission project have been difficult to get off the ground, the suburban arm of it has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Chris Vermeulen. A second major conference has been planned, a wide cross-section of churches are involved and there is a great deal of interesting thinking to be found contacting Chris@vermeulen.freeserve.co.uk. 2.7 The Revd Dr John Ponter, one-time Director of the Manchester Christian Institute, was the preacher at the Faith in Living Valedictory Service. The following 'settlements' of SM, NSM and CRCW students took place during the year: Carole and Gary Gotham (Stockport East), Stuart Nixon (Chatteris), Chris Ray (Louth), Jill Thornton (Cricklade, Highworth and Wootton Bassett), Ann Jack (Duston and Creaton), Jan Adamson (Dunfermiline), Sue Chapman (Luton and Dunstable), Neil Eldridge (Watling Valley), Linda Granville (South Wallesey), Leena Knowles (Upper Norwood, South Norwood and East Croydon), Peter Nunn (Wrexham), Jane Rowell (Sheffield South), Maureen Thompson (Belsall Heath), Martin Wheadon (Romford) and Gwen Smithies (Sheffield). 2.8 We are Pleased to be involved in discussions with the Scottish United Reformed and Congregational College aimed at improving and extending links between our two colleges. 2.9 Over the years, the College has seen a great deal of change as our role has expanded to take up a responsibility for NSM and CRCW training and CME alongside established commitments to the preparation of stipendiary ministers and lay education. These developments could not have been made without enthusiastic staff, far-sighted governors and the support of the churches. We have much for which to give thanks, therefore, but there is yet more to be achieved if we are to respond faithfully to what God has in store for us! 3.1 The Queen's College and the West Midlands Ministerial Training Course (WMMTC), along with our Research Centre continue to operate a unified centre for theological education and ministerial training. The inspection report from last year affirmed that we produce a 'good product' and that we have an exceptional staff. We have been challenged to explore patterns of leadership and governance and to clarify our vision as well as our distinctives. We are in the process of implementing an overhaul of our curriculum which puts greater emphasis on practical experience, theological reflection and personal formation. In addition, last year we implemented a unitary staffing plan which allocates staff workloads across the College, Course and Research Centre, meaning we have one joint staff which serves the whole Foundation. This enables us to utilise staff expertise efficiently and it ensures that good practice is establishes for the whole Foundation. 3.2 Three significant grants (from USPG, the Saltley Trust and the Churches Commission for Racial Justice) are enabling Dr Mukti Barton to develop our work with Black and Asian theology, encouraging wider access to our programmes and offering grants to students. 3.3 Following on the retirement of Bishop Mark Santer as President of the Governors of Queen's, Professor Frances Young has been elected as President for the coming year. Professor Young, - widely known and read as a theologian - is Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham. David Ritchie, CB and Bishop Michael Bourke are also joining the Governors. David Ritchie is chaired the Government's Independent Review into the race disturbances in Oldham. In the autumn we welcome The Revd Elizabeth Welch as President of the Governors 3.4 Students - This year we have approximately 145 students studying at the Foundation. There are 64 students at the Queen's College with 41 full-time students, 53 students on the WMMTC, and 20 studying with the Research Centre. Of these, 12 are affiliated with the URC, with 7 specifically training for ordained ministry, 4 as clergy doing in-service studies, and 1 lay person. 3.5 Ordinands from Queens have been exploring world-wide mission; Becky Roberts in Uganda, Jane Mason and Janet Waterfield in Soweto, S Africa; Paul Gallucci in the USA, Franziska Herring (URC) in Germany. During the academic year Ian Mead and Rosemary Reynolds travelled to South India. Meanwhile, the Research Centre brings students from ten different nationalities to study at Queen's. 3.6 Staff - This year we welcomed two new staff members. Dr Peter Kevern joined as Director of Studies for the Foundation. He is lay and specialises in modern theology. Previously he served in a similar capacity for WEMTC and for the Reader and OLM training in the Gloucester Diocese. The Revd Dr Michael Jagessar was appointed as URC Tutor for the Foundation following Neil Messer's departure to the University of Lampeter. Michael comes from local church ministry in the West Midlands and brings expertise in Ecumenical studies and international ministry experience. His energy and enthusiasm has enlivened our staff already. The Revd Pat Nimmo (URC) continues as a half-time tutor in missions. 3.7 Recent publications by staff include Dr Anthony Reddie's Book Faith, stories and the Experience of Black Elders, published by Jessica Kingsley and Dr Paul Collins' Trinitarian Theology East and West, published by OUP; Dr Collins has recently moved to Chichester University. 3.8 Continuing Ministerial Education - This continues to be an area of growth. This year our MA/PDATS programme introduces two new areas of speciality, Christian Education and Mission. These new programmes of study may especially appeal to those who wish to continue their professional development. Opportunities for sabbaticals and shorter periods of study leave in the Foundation continue to be popular with a number of URC ministers benefiting from these opportunities. 3.9 Buildings and facilities - This year refurbishment of the flats updated and upgraded living facilities. We continue to improve our ICT facilities. A health and safety audit has provided a number of important improvements across the campus. Presently we are developing a business plan which includes a substantial investment in upgrading our infrastructure and teaching facilities. 3.10 Worship and Spirituality - Foundation Worship on Tuesday evening has included a number of guests. This January there was a fascinating ecumenical expression, a Methodist Covenant service in which our new URC Link tutor, the Revd Dr Michael Jagessar was formally inducted into his two roles, tutor and W. Midlands Synod training officer. At the end of January, the President of Methodist Conference, the Revd Dr Christian Le Moignan, led our worship and bravely answered questions in an open session. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, the Revd Elizabeth Welch lead worship on 26th February and delivered a challenging lecture on 'The Future of the Church'. Recent guests to the College Community Meeting included a stimulating session by The Very Revd Gordon Mursell, Provost of Birmingham Cathedral, on spirituality and community. The Revd Marjorie Lewis-Cooper led two sessions discussing our Equal Opportunities Policy. At another session, Ian Mead, a third year Methodist student, shared his experience studying in South India and Ramaz Paresashvili, a student from the Baptist Church in Georgia, shared about life and the church in Georgia. 3.11 Relations with the Local and National Church - We are delighted to be able to host conferences and gatherings for TLS groups, POET weekends and national gatherings of Synod Training Officers and other URC officers. The facilities of the Foundation are in constant use, during so-called 'vacations' as well as term-times. Our strong links with the West Midlands Synod are enhanced by the use of our premises for Synod training events and other meetings. As a result, our Chapel and Dining Room become places where we engage with the churches we serve on a daily, and person-to-person, basis. 3.12 In addition, we ran an ecumenical vocations day, Saturday, February 16th, with approximately 25 persons attending. The morning began with a stimulating talk on 'calling'. Ministry officers from the URC, Methodist Church and the CofE were available for seminars to discuss vocation pathways. Worship featured large in the day allowing quiet and reflection. Afternoon seminars included a bible study on 'calling' and an exploration of women in ministry. Staff and students were available for one to one interviews. A highlight of the day was the teamwork of staff and students to create a very good programme. 3.13 Conclusion - We are delighted with our ongoing links with the United Reformed Church. We look forward to exploring additional ways we can resource regionally and nationally the work and ministry of the United Reformed Church. We would be delighted to receive a visit from interested persons who would like to know more about our work and ministry. Scottish United Reformed And Congregational College 4.1 Students - The current student body remains small, but remarkably diverse: a (former Scottish Congregational Church) pastor; a NSM transferring to stipendiary ministry on an MTh programme; two ordinands with or about to complete PhD degrees. The principal associated university currently is Edinburgh. In many ways, this variety of learner vindicates the flexible partnership model used by the college, which enables it to tailor provision to the particular needs of each student in a cost-effective way. 4.2 Personnel - The full-time member of staff remains the Revd Principal John Dyce with the Revd John Smith and the Revd George Sykes as college tutors. During the year, the Revd George Sykes will undertake a sabbatical visit to Kiribati and the Revd John Smith will attend a consultation on theological education at Bossey as part of his sabbatical arrangements. The provision from the new year will be enhanced by the services of Mrs Jean Holloway BA MA as personal development adviser to the students on a contracted sessional basis. After many years as college Treasurer, Mr James Maguire has resigned and we are glad to welcome Mr Mark Kirkbride to the post from the world of banking. We are much indebted to Jim Maguire who has combined the offices of Union/synod treasurer with the treasurership of the college. Mrs Rita Barr has been appointed college Secretary in the place of the Revd John Arthur. 4.3 Curriculum development - Three main areas are being developed at present > a framework for the development and assessment of role competence > a handbook to support students in becoming reflective practitioners > modules to complement the Living Faith programme of Scottish Churches' Open College. 4.4 Quality assurance - The college is progressing work to extend the quality assurance dimension of its life. It believes that this has to draw on internal self-evaluating and external review processes. For the first, a set of performance indicators are in preparation. For the second, the synod of Scotland is approaching potential partners to explore the possibility of shared inspection processes. A further stage in this work will be the development of more systematic arrangements for the review of collaborative arrangements and service level agreements with partner provider organisations. 4.5 Support to learning - The appointment of a personal development adviser is part of a commitment of the college to take a holistic view of the needs of students and to recognise the emotional and the faith development aspects of ministerial formation. The college has collated and revised materials relating to guidance and support and these are now set out in a college student handbook. The college library has for a number of years been contained within the united/ Scottish Churches' Open College library in Edinburgh. Discussions are ongoing amongst the partners to ensure that the library develops as a learning resource and maximises the potential for e-learning and Information technology based access to resources. 4.6 College retreat - While a residential element has been involved in most course provision, this has been extended to include a college retreat to which ministerial and lay preaching students, staff and research network members are invited. This year's theme was Creative Imagination. 4.7 Ministries - The Training committee of General Assembly has been conscious of the need to recognise the distinctive nature of the Scottish context, including in the field of ministerial formation. Provision has therefore been made for plans for NSM and CRCW training to reflect both wider and national dimensions. Discussions continue with partners in Scotland to explore collaborative working arrangements to respond to this need. 4.8 Research network - The network is a lively part of the college's life, welcoming participants within the synod's life who are registered at one of the Scottish universities (including the Open University in Scotland) for postgraduate research or taught degrees or other advanced studies. 4.9 Pastoral links - The Scottish universities remain a naturally popular location for research students from wider than Scotland and the college is happy to act as a pastoral/ educational link agency for the URC. 4.10 Wider educational work - The college continues to support the broader educational work of the URC synod of Scotland, including the college Principal acting as synod Education Secretary, in terms of the reciprocal services agreement between the two bodies. 4.11 Northern College, Manchester - Our college management committee is glad to be involved in discussions with Northern College aimed at improving and extending links between our two colleges. 4.12 Website - Work on the development of a college website nears completion and we would hope to have this up and running by the time of General Assembly. 4.13 Disability Discrimination - The college has a strong commitment to equality of opportunity and access and acknowledges its obligations under the new statutory provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 and is in the process of reviewing its procedures, facilities and arrangements to ensure that it complies with the acts. 4.14 Continuing Ministerial Education - The college notes with satisfaction the appointment of the Principal as convener of the CME subcommittee of the Training committee. It is keen to explore how it might best contribute to the range of CME provision available to ministers. 5.1 A learning community - The college is a place where people meet to learn. They come from all over the world, with different backgrounds and a wide age range. Some are ordained, some seeking ordination, some with different vocations, all on the journey of faith. We meet to learn how to be Christians in the places to which we are called. This means we need to multiply our talents and build one another up. The role of teacher and learner moves between us. Those with a long personal history of faith are enlivened with new insights; those feeling their way towards greater Christian maturity are encouraged by the experience of those who have travelled the road before. 5.2 The impact of Continuing Ministerial Education has been positive in Westminster. We have been glad to provide hospitality for ministers over a short period and our community has benefited from their experience. Ministers also spend their sabbatical time with us, usually aided by a grant from the Cheshunt Foundation. International ministerial exchange programmes bring us students and ordinands of other churches. All these people tell us it is an encouraging experience for them. With the support of our fellowship in college they can launch into the larger world of the Theological Federation and the two universities to which we have immediate access. In addition to all the learning programmes you might expect in our college we have much more to offer, such as hands-on computer courses for those new to technology, specialist work in Jewish-Christian relations, worship in many traditions and a range of cultural activities in the city. 5.3 Much the largest single group of people is those preparing for ministry in the URC. In recent years our membership of the Cambridge Theological Federation, has enabled us to crack a long-term problem in ministerial training - how to offer an appropriate course for all our entrants. By appropriate we mean tailored to the needs of both the individual and the Church. All these courses demand pastoral development as well as extending thinking skills. Every student going forward for ordination in the URC must satisfactorily complete a year of pastoral placement, with weekly reflection in college on their experience. We are immensely grateful to the local churches who support our students in their placements. The work of the Federation and Cambridge University Divinity Faculty was subject to QAA inspection in November 2001. The Federation teaching and pastoral support for the Bachelor of Theology degree was found satisfactory in every respect and the standing of the Federation in the university enhanced. 5.4 A place to meet - The college is a distinguished building, even by Cambridge standards. It has not always been a comfortable one and is subject to the same processes of obsolescence as many a church building which has served its first hundred years. We want it to be a place where we enjoy modest comforts and share them with the wider church, who come to us for meetings and conferences. The college belongs to the whole Church and we want it to be accessible for those who perhaps have never thought of it as a place for them. Perhaps a local church might like to use us as a base for a visit to Cambridge, have tea with us and tour the college. The URC History Society Library, which used to be available at Tavistock Place, is now open at the college. We can sometimes offer a room for a few nights for an individual who wants to carry out research with us, or elsewhere. With all these kinds of uses in mind we have been steadily improving the residential and communal areas. Plans for housing our much increased Library have begun to be considered. Meanwhile we have regular maintenance commitments and a rolling programme of works. 5.5 A reference point - With the URC History Society Library a great many other archives and artefacts found their way to Cambridge and much time has been spent in the last year coming to grips with the problems this created. The staff and volunteers have been carrying through the Resolution of Assembly which called for the distribution of local church holdings to appropriate Record Offices. We are all in the debt of Revd Elizabeth Brown, Richard and Jean Potts, who volunteered to help in this demanding task. The Church should be under no illusions about the magnitude of the work which has been done, nor the continuing tasks of indexing and cataloguing which remain for the college to do. On the positive side this large addition to the already large college library makes Westminster the primary reference resource for the whole Church. It has collections of international significance. Bringing all the URC owned libraries to Cambridge also means that they are joining the on-line catalogue of Cambridge University Library. Scholars, including those in partner churches around the world will find it much easier to know what we hold which could be of assistance to them. 5.6 A place of thanksgiving - At our Commemoration of Benefactors this year we not only recalled the honoured names of the past but gave thanks for the service which David Cornick has given to the college, both as Director of the Cheshunt Foundation and then Principal. Our preacher was Revd Dr Lesley Husselbee and the lecture was given by Professor Alan Sell. We gave thanks also for the gifts of our leavers, who were: Andrew Berry to Melton Mowbray, Yolande Burns to Wisbech, Sian Collins to Kenton and Kingston Park, Les Mather to Eastbourne, Jon Morgan to Blundellsands, Nigel Warner to Braintree and Kathy White to East Grinstead. |
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