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This page provides an index to the various talks and courses given or planned. Sessions range from Quiet Days, Retreats or Evening Classes, usually in the London Area or elsewhere in the UK. Full handouts are always provided. In general all sessions are open to the general public, and usually free of charge.
"Living Life with the Early Church"
"The Glory of God is a human being who is fully alive"
This quotation is not new, but is taken from Irenaeus - an early Christian French Bishop, who died around 202AD.
Learning about these early Christian leaders’ life and work is of vital importance to us as we strive to lead our own lives of discipleship.
We grow in our faith and discipleship with Christ through regular prayer and reading of the scripture, but it is also helpful to draw on the insights of many Early Christians, whose words have encouraged many down through the centuries, and echo strongly today.
In so doing we encounter the great wisdom and strength of the many courageous women and men who knew the cost of holding fast to the Christian faith throughout bitter struggles and persecutions, and left us help and guidance.
These sessions provide a simple introduction to the subject, an opportunity for questions, and assume no prior knowledge. Full handouts are provided both to extend the topics covered, and to act as a basis for further reflection or reading at home. Although designed as a taster, if there are any gluttons for punishment, reading lists and other information can be provided privately afterwards.
Forthcoming Events
Living Life with Saint John of Hexham and Beverley. Planned for 7.30pm Monday 29th October - St John Lee (near Hexham). Date subject to confirmation.
Hexham in Northumberland today is a small market town in the Upper Tyne valley. In the early 7th century however, the Bishops of Hexham were responsible for most of what is today the province of the Archbishop of York. Hexham Abbey and Cathedral was said to be the largest church buildings this side of the Alps, English theology was at its peak (the Venerable Bede wrote over 70 books, mainly Bible commentaries), Gregorian Chant was in its golden age (under John of Jarrow and St. Acca of Hexham). and its fame worldwide. This evening which has been specially requested by the Vicar of St John Lee (near Acomb where John of Hexham and Beverley worked one of his miracles) will provide a solid introduction to the Saints and Life of John of Hexham and Beverley, with Northumbrian Christianity arguably at its peak. Watch this space.
Current Courses
Living Life with the Early Church. A series of 6 evenings designed for a general Parish Audience, introducing the Early Church, their problems, strengths and writings, and practical guidance for living life today. The actual course included Powerpoint slides with many illustrations, icons and other information. Reference Guides - two pages long - are provided on key topics. Followed by Sung Compline. Click here for more details and access to handouts.
Reading the Early Church Fathers. A series of 5 evenings following on from the previous course, providing not only an introduction to a specific Author (with a two page potted introduction), but reading a few of his (or her) key writings. Participants also were provided with additional readings to follow up with at home if they wished. Authors covered include: St Benedict, St Ephraim the Syrian, The Desert Fathers, St Augustine of Hippo and the Venerable Bede. Click here for more details and access to handouts.
Cantica Divina. A specialist half day introducing singing the Psalms with the heart, in traditions of the Churches of East and West, especially St. Augustine's insights and imagery. Followed by the Sixth Hour with psalms in the Monastic Tradition for Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Etheldreda of Ely. Click here for more details and access to handouts.
Canterbury, Augustine, Gregory. A course of two Thursday evenings first given in 2010 in St. John the Evangelist's Church, West Hendon, focusing on the Early Church in Britain, and in particular guidance given by Saint Gregory the Great in his Book of Pastoral Guidance. Evenings covered both General Guidance on Management, and how to deal with different types of People. Launched at a Cream Tea - 3.00pm on Saturday 14th August at St. John's Church, Algernon Road, West Hendon (near Hendon mainline station - from St. Pancras). Click here for map of how to get there.
The Teachings of the Desert Fathers. A talk for the Annual Retreat of the Oblates of Ealing Abbey. This included an introduction to the subject, in particular relating it to the Rule of Saint Benedict, and John Cassian. Followed by the Sixth Hour (sung by all). As this Retreat was not open to the general public, handouts are not available on this site, but may be available on request.
Introduction to John Cassian (under development). Course in preparation. Cassian is a complex author, particularly for those who are not used to the background, and a series on 6 evenings (including one on the Rule of Benedict) is under development, to be given in 2011.
Saint Mary of Egypt – A Message for today? A Lenten reflection on the focus of the Eastern Church for the key figure of the Sunday before Palm Sunday, at the invitation of the Catholic Society of Saint John Chrysostom and the Fellowship of Saint Alban & Saint Sergius, in the Catholic Church of Saint Anselm, Tooting Bec.
Praying with the Early Church. The Early Church – over the first seven or eight centuries – was a time of contrasts – from persecution under aggressive atheism, to the slow and steady disintegration of the Roman Empire, and the end of stability, at a time when Christianity was slowly finding its feet, while being blamed for everything from cannibalism to the fall of Rome.
Against this though were devised some of the most powerful prayers ever written, for Christians who saw themselves as part of a church across the world and down through the ages in one great Community. A Community which of course includes us in West Hendon today.
These prayers were written down, and are widely in active use, although less often in England. This short course looks at some of them, and provide guidance on using them in the 21st century.
Keep in Touch
People who would like to be kept in touch with latest developments, should choose "Latest Announcements" from the Menu, and click on the link given to subscribe. Emails are infrequent, but you can unsubscribe at any time.
Talks are given - usually to Churches or other organisations in various parts of the UK on request. If you would like further details, drop me an email on wjcbailey [at] gmail.com Contents are normally tailored to local requirements.
I look forward to hearing from you.
The icon of Christ Pantocrator on this page was written in Târgu Mureş in Romania, and is situated in Hexham Abbey in Northumberland, England.
Most of the text on this site is copyright © WJ Cooper Bailey 2011, unless otherwise noted. If you find a mistake, or there are any copyright problems, please let me know on wjcbailey [at] gmail.com so I can correct it.
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