Meeting Together for the First Time
Annual Conference for Lay Preachers, Worship Leaders & Contributors
Friday 18 November to Sunday 20 November, 2022
Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5DY
For our first in-person event for lay worship leaders since 2019, our title is taken from Marcus Borg’s book Meeting Jesus again for the first time. We will explore what’s different for us now, what (if anything) has stayed the same, and think about our ways forward.
As always, we expect to be refreshed, transformed and re-equipped as we celebrate and share our individual gifts and ministries. And we expect to have fun.
If you have not been before you are warmly invited to come and see how the Metropole always makes us welcome; with full board, individual ensuite rooms and access to the hotel’s other facilities.
The conference is suitable for all those who are (or wish to know more about becoming) involved in lay worship ministry in the URC.
Booking is now open
The National Synod of Wales will cover the cost of this annual conference for URC members, but please note that a cancellation fee is payable after Monday 31 October. If you are not a URC member but would still like to come, then please speak with Joel. Let us know too about any dietary or access needs. We encourage, and will coordinate requests for, shared transport. We expect to offer this as a hybrid event; if you wish to join online, then please let Joel know.
To book, please contact joel.sainsbury.urcwales@urc.org.uk by Thursday 20 October 2022 (at the latest)
For conference information, please contact stephen.best.urcwales@urc.org.uk
Programme (subject to alteration)
Friday 18 November
16.00 Registration – Check-in – Refreshments
16.30 Opening Worship – Welcome
16.45 Session 1: Introductions, getting to know each other
18.30 Dinner
20.00 Session 2: Challenges & bridges these last three years
21.30 Closing prayers
Saturday 19 November
From 8.00 Breakfast
09.15 Session 3: The Bible in context: seeing it again for the first time
Session 4: Jesus in context: images for a time
10.45 Break
11.15 Session 5: The church in context: what it means for us
12.30 Lunch followed by Free Time
15.00 Session 6: Reflecting with Scripture
16.30 Break
16.45 Session 7: Worship Leading in context (1): Our Ministry
18.30 Dinner
20.15 Session 8: Meeting Jesus again for the first time: The Grand Inquisitor
21.15 Closing Prayers followed by optional continued conversation (in the bar/elsewhere)
Sunday 20 November
From 8.00 Breakfast
09.15 Session 9: Worship Leading in Context (2): Our shared responsibilities
10.45 Break
11.15 Session 10: Looking after ourselves
12.15 Closing worship (communion)
13.00 Lunch followed by Departure
Before coming
Please bring along an image of Jesus which you relate to and which inspires you.
If possible, please read, listen to or watch The Grand Inquisitor by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It is 22 pages in most editions. Click here for a PDF version or an audio version. We will watch this shortened (25 mins) version together: