"Senior" Church Leaders course at Whirlow Grange in Sheffield

So I've just gotten back from assisting on our "Senior" Church Leaders Foundation Course (Transforming Church Conflict for Senior Church Leaders).  What do I mean when I say "Senior," well generally that means they might be older, but not necessarily.  I mean leaders within each denomination that have quite a bit of oversight.  This means Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons in Anglican Church of England terms.  Rural Deans, Synod Moderators, District Chairs in other denominational terms.  This past week's course was primarily Anglican, with a couple Baptist, one from the Salvation Army, and one Presbyterian/Methodist.  Among the Anglicans we had four Bishops (although one had just been appointed), a Cathedral Dean, and numerous Archdeacons, along with a couple misc. Bishop's staff members.  A diverse Anglican group, but not as diverse a group as we sometimes have denominationally.

It was a real privilege to be a part of the Senior Leaders course.  The people who come on it are really top notch individuals and really eager to engage and learn.  It means we've really got to be on our "A-game"as a training team.  I've attached our group photo and some other shots from one of the participants took during the week.  He had a keen eye for taking good photos.

 Group Photo

Football match going on in a nearby pitch.  

We just couldn't get them away from their iPhones 

Three wise monkeys 

 Whirlow Grange Conference Centre

Having a discussion during a break-time

As far as London Mennonite Centre life / decisions, the Trustees had another important meeting this past week (15 March) and decided to pursue one of the two options which they were considering.  They have another meeting in mid-May to decide whether to continue with it fullstop or look for alternative avenues.  The gist of it means I will likely be moving to a temporary LMC staff location for the duration of my term in mid-late July.  It also means that Bridge Builders will need to find alternative office space before August/September.  So come the end of the summer I will be commuting to work and living somewhere else in London.  They (the Trustees) are still in the early stages of this, so not a whole lot is known or a given.  The plan is the have everyone who is living at the Centre in a temporary lmc staff house for a 6 to a more likely 12 month period somewhere in the North London region (perhaps close to the Northern line).  A lot will depend on the May Trustees meeting.  If plans change they all that I've said could be thrown out the window.  At the moment I'm glad that plans are for those who live at the Centre to remain in community and trying to not focus too much on the fact that Bridge Builders really needs to find get on the ball about finding new office space.  Overall, I'm figuring I won't know where I'm really moving (or working) until about June/July.  

In other news, I might have a cousin (he/she who shall not be named at the moment) coming over to the UK/Ireland to do start a cycling journey across Europe.  My cousin will probably come over sometime in the beginning of August, head from Dublin to Belfast, then to Glasgow and toward London.  I might join said cousin for a portion of it (bit from perhaps Glasgow to London).  Other details are yet to be discovered/made.  I'm excited!