The title is taken from a book by John G. McEllhenney, about the Poet-Priest R S Thomas. Thomas wrote in one of his poems "God is that great absence" and said that he could not become doubt-free and did not want to be doubt-free. We shall look at 4 sources of doubt. He also wrote of his belief in God's personal presence and the "explosion" that Jesus brought into the world. We shall look at a couple of chapters of John's book and include Thomas' concept of God, whether God intervenes and whether it is right to claim to be familiar with God.

Location:

Friends Meeting House, Newcastle under Lyme ST5 1QJ

Speaker:

Nigel Jones, Methodist Preacher and group convenor

Full details in group programme

What was the character of Jesus? Do we have any Jesus like character strengths and are there things we can do to make sure we develop these traits?

Location:

Christchurch, Abbeymead, Gloucester

Speaker:

Andy Vivian

Full details in group programme

Towards universal spirituality - journeying with Christianity. This is the CANA conference 2018.

Location:

Essex Unitarian Church, Notting Hill Gate, London W8 4RT

Speaker:

Dr Jude Currivan, Rev Don MacGregor, Fr Diarmuid O’Murchu, Marianne Rankin

Full details

Deconstruction is part of the human condition. We build things up, and then we become confined by them. It’s only by consciously decontructing what we have built, that we can grow and develop.

Location:

The Hayes, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU

Full details

Follow up to the visit from Rupert Sheldrake discussion on the Science of Spiritual Practices, starting with Gratitude.

Location:

Crabb Hall, Christ Church, High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Full details in group programme

A talk by Kevin Eady will seek to demonstrate how the war was not the uniformly popular war it is usually depicted to have been, that it was fought with few clear aims by most of the participants, that it achieved nothing worthwhile and that it helped prepare the ground for the Second World War and other similarly disastrous conflicts. This is supported by the Tavistock Peace Action Group.

Location:

Tavistock United Reformed Church, Russell Street

Speaker:

Kevin Eady

Full details in group programme

Two distinguished early church historians will present research that shows as many as half of Jesus’ disciples were women.

Location:

St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Speaker:

Helen Bond, Joan Taylor

Full details

This summer, Bishop Michael Curry shot to public attention when he preached that sermon at Harry and Meghan’s wedding.

Location:

Southwark Cathedral, London

Speaker:

Bishop Michael Curry

Full details

Faith in Political Action Today

Saturday 27 October 2018

A day conference featuring talks and workshops. This is Project Bonhoeffer’s 2018 Conference - for all seeking to understand how Christianity can shape social and political change in today’s world.

Location:

St. George's Centre, Leeds, LS1 3BR

Speaker:

Dr Jennifer McBride, David Paterson

Full details

We continue the study of Marcus Borg's book 'Speaking Christian' Apart from the main topic we also briefly look at PCN's 'Eight Points' at each session. Today Brian introduces Point 1.

Location:

Quaker Meeting House Newbury

Speaker:

Howard

Full details in group programme

Commemoration of war. As we approach the 100 year anniversary of the end of the first world war, we look at appropriate ways for Christians to remember such momentous events.

Location:

heaton moor united church

Full details in group programme

Alison Patrick from Shrewsbury Unitarian Church will speak on the history of the 'denomination' since the Great Ejection of 1662 and the current beliefs of Unitarians.

Location:

St. Mary's Church Hall, Albrighton

Speaker:

Alison Patrick

Full details in group programme

We will continue with Chapter 3 of our current book.

Location:

Note new address - Slug and Lettuce, 10 Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 1JA

Speaker:

Group members

Full details in group programme

For each meeting there is some set reading, usually just 2 or 3 chapters, which we read in advance and discuss at the meeting.

Location:

17 Richmond Cres, Billingham TS23 2JP

Speaker:

Structured Discussion

Full details in group programme

The challenge of Paul. A) The long-distance apostle and b) The God-worshippers. A DVD with discussion questions featuring John Dominic Crossan.

Location:

Tavistock United Reformed Church, Russell Street

Speaker:

A DVD featuring John Dominic Crossan.

Full details in group programme

Location:

St Augustine’s Church, Springfield, Chelmsford

Full details in group programme

A meeting led by the former Dean of Exeter Cathedral, now General Secretary of Modern Church.

Location:

Southernhay Church Exeter Hall

Speaker:

The Very Revd Dr Jonathan Draper

Full details in group programme

PCN Members’ Residential 2018

Friday 12 October 2018 — Monday 15 October 2018

The members’ residential has been running for a little longer than our groups have been in existence. It is a place where PCN members, perhaps especially those who are not part of a local group or who cannot attend conferences, can get together with others and make new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

Location:

The Hayes, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU

Full details

Planning for study course, and other meetings.

Location:

5 Ventnor Road, Leicester. LE2 3RL

Speaker:

Keith Baker

Full details in group programme

Ollie Batchelor will talk us through the aims and origins of the Newcastle Food Coop, leading into a discussion about what it means to follow an ethical way as Progressive Christians. Ollie's presentation on Tuesday may help us articulate more of our thinking.

Location:

St Thomas the Martyr's Church, Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne

Speaker:

Ollie Batchelor

Full details in group programme