For Adults

Learning is central to the mission and outreach of Southwell Minster. The stunning Cathedral sits on a site which tells the story of our land from Roman times and, along with the Archbishop's Palace and Education Garden, makes a rich resource for learning. We welcome all age groups to the Minster and would be happy to arrange tours and talks. Every September the education team organise an annual 'Discovery Day' for adults, where visitors are given the chance to choose workshops, tours or talks on a range of creative, historical or religious themes.

We aspire to offer learning for all – schools, community groups, adults and the interested visitor – keep an eye on the events calendar to see what’s on.

Justice Action Group

The Minster Justice Action Group was formed to raise awareness of justice, peace, poverty and persecution and meet six time a year. The group are committed to working for social justice in the local community and wider world and are pursuing a number of initiatives on behalf of the Minster Community, including:

  • Foodbank support and canvassing our MP about food and fuel poverty;
  • Support of Church Action against Poverty and Christians against Poverty;
  • Provisions for refugees and asylum seekers;
  • Human trafficking and support of the Christian charity Hope for Justice;
  • Christian Aid and other campaigns against climate change;
  • Jubilee Debt campaigns seeking to reduce the debt commitment of poorer countries;
  • Work with Framework on homelessness and housing need.

Most of the initiatives are pursued in partnership with Churches Together in Southwell, the Diocese and other organisations. We are currently in discussion within the Minster and with these bodies about future directions for this work. There are huge opportunities through considering links with the international Community of the Cross of Nails, based in Coventry, and with the Southwell Leaves Project exploring, among other things, the justice and reconciliation symbolism of the Chapter House stone carvings and the significance of the assurance that ‘the leaves of the tree (of life) are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22.2)’.

‘What we need is action’ is a frequent refrain of meetings. Action requires actors – all of us, to take part in the group, communicate concerns, support activities and, above all, to pray that God’s kingdom will come on earth. Social justice has been described as the collective equivalent of loving one’s neighbour. As Micah said ‘What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6.8)’.

There is always much more that we’d like to do than are able to. New members of the group will always be very welcome – please have a word with Vincent Ashwin (vincentashwin@tiscali.co.uk/813975) or Patrick Sills (patricksills18@gmail.com/815173).

Patrick Sills, Chair of the Minster Justice Action Group

The Refugee Crisis – How can we help

There are over 4000 refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham. Demand for the services of charities, in particular Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Refugee Forum, the Rainbow Project, Nottingham Arimathea Trust and Host Nottingham, is already growing and likely to rise significantly over the next few months. Many are fleeing persecution, traumatised by their experience, and often have complex needs in addition to shortage of money and other resources.

The Diocese asks us to pray, act and give.

 

 

Mission Partnership Group

The Minster’s ‘Mission Partnership Group’ continues to focus on God’s mission outside the life of the congregation, especially in partnership with other Christians, on the principle that any Christian church should look outwards and build bridges.

There were four occasions when Minster members learned about our partners. Each time it was inspiring and encouraging to see what overseas Christians are doing.

  • On Sea Sunday in July a former Seafarers’ chaplain in the Far East preached about the work of the Mission to Seafarers.
  • At Harvest Festival a former missionary in Swaziland preached about the work of USPG (United Society, Partners in the Gospel), especially in their sponsorship of agricultural and development projects overseas.
  • Victor Mughogho from Malawi came with the Christian Aid area secretary to speak about his work in helping to provide communities with water pumps to alleviate Africa’s series of droughts.
  • Our link with St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem was enhanced by an exhibition of photos in the Chapter House, showing how Arab families live with the ‘Separation Wall’ outside Bethlehem. There was an information evening in the Minster the same week about the Israel/Palestine situation which included two films.

The Minster gave away 10% our planned giving (based on the 2015 total of £120,000, down a bit on previous years). New recipients included Ethiopaid, in response to poor harvests in that country. We ended our partnership with the Church in Uruguay, but increased our giving to support refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham. We also increased our giving to the Swaziland Schools Project, which is known to the chairman and supports schools run by the Anglican Church.

The group is always to happy to hear of other charities, particularly church-based ones, with which the Minster could have a partnership.

Revd Canon Vincent Ashwin
vincentashwin@tiscali.co.uk