A Letter to Jay
11 August, 2002
The Bishop’s Certificate course that I have been doing for the last two years came to an end in July with a Eucharist here in St Wilfrid’s. I shall be receiving my certificate from the Bishop of Lewes, along with the rest of my group, at a service in Worth Abbey on October 4th. Gerry Willis is hoping to run a new course in the Parish later in the year.
The Bishop’s Certificate does not represent a “qualification” in the formal sense. The idea is that those who take the course will be enabled to be more effective disciples in their own local situations, and maybe a little better equipped to respond to God’s call to the whole of his people to serve him. It is not intended to be especially academic, and is open to anyone who is prepared to spend a few hours each week in learning more about their shared faith.
The course follows the academic year, commencing in the autumn, and running for two years. The themes of the six terms are: Worship, Foundation of Belief, The Old Testament, The New Testament, Christian Belief, and The Way of Holiness. Eight tutorial sessions of around two hour’s duration take place in each of the six terms. There are breaks for the Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays, as well as at the respective half terms.
There is a booklet of notes for each term of the course, which provides the framework for week by week study, as well as suggested reading and other work preparatory to the tutorial itself. There is a section setting out the work that the group itself will do with the Tutor, and also some suggestions for further reflection on each week’s topic. Each booklet is different in style and approach, but they have generally been helpful in helping to understand the “basics” and in pointing to the ways in which these can be fleshed out with further reading.
It is difficult to estimate how much time the course will take up, for there is reading to be done in preparation for the tutorials, as well as a project to be completed during the three main holiday periods in each academic year. I found that it was important to allow a minimum of two hours each week for reading and making notes, although this could have been expanded. This would be in addition to the time actually spent in the tutorial. There is usually one set book in each term, as well as the course notes, but the opportunity for additional, supportive reading is limitless. Each group has access to a small library with which they can supplement the course’s required reading. Often there are references to Scripture, which need to be examined, and commented on.
The projects that are set for completion during the holidays provide the opportunity to reflect on what has been learnt during the course of the previous term, and to try to express this on paper in some way. It would be wrong to see these as “essays”, since the means of expression can include the writing of a letter to a friend, or even a poem. All that is important is to be able to set aside enough time to complete the necessary work. The projects are not “marked” in any way, although the tutor will usually provide some helpful comments!
There is also one “Study Day” each term. These take place on a Saturday, and are usually held in Burgess Hill, simply because that is near to the centre of the Diocese. These occasions have included notable speakers from our own Diocese, such as Bishop John, who spoke on “Ecumenism” and Canon Peter Atkinson, as well as interesting and stimulating “outsiders”. These Study Days are not compulsory, but they are well worth attending. Apart from the sheer interest and enjoyment in the speakers – and they have all been good – it is an excellent opportunity to meet people from other parts of the Diocese.
I found that the opportunity for fellowship was an important part of the course. We are all on a journey in faith, and it is always good to “walk” in the company of like-minded people. The ethos of the course is essentially non-competitive, so it provides a chance to share one’s faith with others, and to gain from their own insights. This is something that, as Christians, we don’t do nearly as often as we should. Many of us have experienced how the Lord has touched our lives in meaningful ways, and it is both heartening and strengthening to know this at first hand. There is also opportunity to strengthen existing friendships and make new ones. In that way alone, I have come away from the course feeling more enriched.
For those who have completed the course, there are several options for further study. The Bishop Otter Centre for Theology and Ministry in Chichester run courses starting in the autumn, the University of Sussex has as Diploma in Theology course, which takes in students every other year, and the University of Brighton has a variety of courses, especially suited for those engaged in education.
I have greatly enjoyed the last two years. I feel I have learned much, and have made new friends. I would very much hope that others from St Wilfrid’s will follow me. It really is well worth while.
Neil Macdonald
