Resources and Information
Disability Awareness Sunday - 28 September 2025
Join churches across the UK in marking Disability Awareness Sunday – a time to celebrate God’s image in every person! – and download the new resource pack from disability charity Through the Roof (www.throughtheroof.org).
“My hearing had gone… my legs wouldn’t move: God’s image was still in me.” This year’s free resource is on the theme Made in God’s Image. It features Emily Owen, an award-winning Christian author, who became deaf at 21 and now lives with multiple disabilities. In her video and resource, she shares how God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16), not outward ability.
All matter as ALL are in God’s image
No matter our challenges, we’re all ‘wonderfully made’ in God’s image – and when churches fully welcome disabled people, everyone is blessed. Sadly, 72% of disabled people in the UK report facing negative attitudes (Scope). Joining church can be a challenge. That’s why this REALY matters.
Use the official date, 28 September – or any Sunday – to spark conversations with Disability Awareness Sunday and take a step towards disability inclusion.
FREE resource for churches!
The free downloadable pack includes Emily’s video, songs, prayers, sermon ideas, and handouts reminding us ‘All are made in God’s image’. Download your copy now:
💻 Get the free pack at: throughtheroof.org/forchurches/disability-awareness-sunday
📽 Show the video. Pray together. Celebrate every member of Christ’s Body.
Youthscape Essentials
Youthscape Essentials provides all-round training for every volunteer youth leader. It’s also ideal for those who are new to youth ministry, those with no formal youthwork training or anyone returning after a gap.
The course covers 30 essential elements of youthwork, delivered across 10 sessions or in a way that works for your context. Each session is divided into three parts; providing ‘Insights’ into the lives of young people, learning ‘Practical Skills ’ to assist with youth work, and reflecting on love as the foundation for youth ministry, to 'develop character'. Whatever your role in youth ministry; whether paid or voluntary, Sunday morning bible studies or mid-week youth groups, regular baptism classes or occasionally helping out, then Youthscape Essentials is for you!
The next available course dates are:
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17 Sept 2025 (Wednesdays, 7.15pm-9.15pm)
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13 Jan 2026 (Tuesdays, 7.15pm-9.15pm (10 Sessions))
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13 Apr 2026 (Mondays, 7.15pm-9.15pm (8 Sessions))
It’s also possible to host the course for those in your church or community. Just sign up to attend a Hosting Workshop on the YSE webpage to find out more.
Weblink: For further info, check out the FAQs on our webpage: www.youthscape.co.uk/yse
Spurgeon's College
Free Online Webinars
Spurgeon’s College is delighted to announce the launch of a new Master’s degree MA In Transformational Church Leadership In Collaboration with Pastor Rick Warren.
Come and find out more about this exciting new master’s course at one of our following webinars.
Please register your interest on the link below
or contact the admissions department for further information: admissions@spurgeons.ac.uk
The Centre for Baptist Studies
Baptist Perspectives on Science & Religion
24 & 25 September 2025 / Regent's Park College, Oxford
This two-day conference will be held at Regent’s Park College, Oxford and is free to attend, including meals and accommodation if needed. An extensive line-up of renowned speakers will address the History, Issues, and Theology of Baptist engagement with the sciences. For more details and the full programme visit:
https://www.rpc.ox.ac.uk/event/baptist-perspectives-on-science-and-religion/
If you are interested in attending, please contact the administrator who will send you a registration form: alan.kerry@regents.ox.ac.uk
St Hild College (Centre for Church Planting and Centre for Baptist Ministry)
Both/And Church: Micro Meets Congregation
Integrating Micro-Church and Disciple-Making practices into Established Congregations and Church Plants
Tuesday 16 September 2025, 10am-3pm with lunch break
A free Online Symposium
Could the church be revitalised by linking the missional effectiveness and leadership development strengths of micro-churches and ‘disciple making movements’ with the stability and resources of traditional church structures?
A number of years into this emerging trend, what can we learn from each other? What reflections and honest assessments do the micro-church practitioners offer on their approach and fruitfulness? What could traditional models of church learn and integrate so as to become more missionally and pastorally effective?
Join this half-day online symposium as we explore these emerging hybrid ‘best of both’ models and identify practical approaches for enhancing community outreach and spiritual formation. This is a forum to hear and discuss our theological, missiological, ecclesiological and practical reflections, within the mixed ecology of the UK church. We encourage contributions on the day from practitioners in various situations.
For booking and more information, click here.
The College of Preachers
Preaching the Psalms
Saturday 20 September 2025, 10.00-13.00 | Online via Zoom
The Psalter was the prayerbook of Jesus, quoted more by him than any other book. In this workshop, we shall explore ways in which we can bring the Psalms to life and encourage our congregations to make them central to their prayer and spirituality. This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Philip Jenson, former teacher of Old Testament at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Booking cloes 17 September.
Preaching Matthew’s Gospel
Monday 3 November, 10.30-13.00 | online via Zoom
Matthew brings a very specific perspective to his gospel, including some unique narratives, such as the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem, and frequent references to Old Testament prophecies. This workshop will examine Matthew's Gospel and how preachers can use its unique perspective to bring the gospel message to life in new ways. This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr A.K.M. Adam. Dr Adam is a lecturer in New Testament at Oxford University and a Church of England parish priest in the Oxford Diocese. Booking closes 30 October.
Preaching the Christmas Story
Saturday 15 November, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom
The Christmas story is a familiar one. So much so, in fact, that it can be daunting to preach it. In this workshop, we will look at the Christmas readings from Luke's and John's Gospels, and consider how we can approach these from new angles and fresh perspectives in our preaching. This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Jennifer Brown. Jennifer is the Director of Training for the College of Preachers and worked for over 10 years in theological education. She is also a priest in the Church of England, currently serving in a parish in the Diocese of Oxford. Booking closes 12 November.
Conference booking now open!
In addition to our workshops, our next preaching conference, with the theme of ‘The Wonder of Words’, will be taking place from 9th to 11th September at the Hayes Conference Centre.
Further details, including pricing, and booking links for workshops and the conference can be found on the College of Preachers’ website, www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.
Baptists Together
Ripples of Change
Friday 17 October 2025, 2pm
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, WC2H 8EP
Sam Sharpe Lecture "Free Indeed: From Theological Mis-Education to Teaching for Liberation"
Monday 27 October 2025, 7pm
University of East London, Docklands Campus, University Way, London, E16 2RD
Speaker: Dr Selina Stone
Dr Selina Stone is Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh. She is the author of Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith (2023) and The Spirit and the Body: Towards a Womanist Pentecostal Social Justice Ethic (2023). Her research explores Black/womanist ethics, the Spirit and spirituality, power, abuse and liberation, and healing and wellbeing.
Prior to her post in Edinburgh, Dr Stone worked with Durham University on decolonisation and theological education, with a particular focus on ministerial training. She holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham and an MA in Theology and Politics from King’s College London.
A member of the National Executive Committee for the Society for the Study of Theology, Dr Stone is also a podcaster, preacher, and a sought-after speaker across academic, faith, and charitable sectors. She is a proud Brummie with Jamaican roots.
Dr Selina Stone is a popular and well-respected theologian and speaker. We recommend you register as early as possible so as not to miss an inspiring and challenging Sam Sharpe lecture.
For more information and ticket details, click here.