Two Modular Courses for Lay People in Three Steps

Worship Studies Course (WSC) (formerly Course in Lay Preaching and the Conduct of Worship – CLPCW)

Unitarian Studies Course (USC)

Managed by the Worship Studies Group Provided under the auspices of the Local Leadership Strategy Group Part of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, 1-6 Essex Street, London, WC2R 3HY. Registered Charity: No. 250788 Website: www.unitarian.org.uk / Essex Hall Telephone: 020 7240 2384

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Two Modular Courses for Lay People in Three Steps

Worship Studies Course (WSC) (formerly the Course in Lay Preaching and the Conduct of Worship – CLPCW)

Unitarian Studies Course (USC) Core Values To enable Unitarians to become better informed about Unitarian thought and history and to help equip Worship Leaders with the skills and background knowledge they might need.

Members of WSC and USC Rev Ernest Baker (Tutor) Rev Alex Bradley (Principal of Unitarian College Manchester, and Tutor) Mrs Dawn Buckle (Convenor of Worship Studies Group) Rev Winnie Gordon (Course Administrator) Rev Ant Howe (Tutor) Rev Dr Arthur Stewart (Consultant) Rev Sue Woolley (Representing UALM) 2

Outline of the Two Modular Courses There are two parallel courses: The Worship Studies Course (WSC) prepares students for conducting worship and lay preaching. It can be a preliminary course for Lay Pastor or Ministerial training. The Unitarian Studies Course (USC) gives students increasing personal knowledge and understanding of the Unitarian and Free Christian movement.

WSC Foundation Step Prepares students to conduct worship for their own, or neighbouring congregations or fellowships.

WSC Intermediate Step Introduction to the Four Modules of study. Gives more knowledge for inclusion in service content.

WSC Advanced Step Further & deeper study of the Four Modules. Qualifies students as recognised Lay Preachers/Lay Worship Leaders.

USC Intermediate Step Introduction to the Four Modules of study.

USC Advanced Step Further and deeper study of the Four Modules.

Lay Pastor or Ministerial Training 3

Explanation of the Two Modular Courses Preamble: It is recognised that considerable informal education and training of lay people takes place at congregational and district level. These courses are intended to build on that and to provide nationally recognised qualifications. The Courses are organised in incremental steps. Each step will be delivered by a combination of distance learning, daylong and residential elements. Part of the residential elements will be provided at the Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry (UALM) Annual Conference each year. Both courses will: • • •

Help students to return to learning. Work within a modularised structure. Provide evidence that a student is capable and is knowledgeable about Unitarianism.

The WSC Course is a useful preliminary to undertaking Lay Pastor or Ministerial training.

Personal Record of Achievement: Each student is expected to maintain a portfolio of their work and a record of any additional relevant courses attended throughout the steps, for example, Hucklow Summer School, Unitarian Experience Week, UALM Conference, other relevant conferences, courses or meetings. Such a portfolio will be useful to WSC students applying for Lay Pastor or Ministerial training. 4

Foundation Step For WSC Students only, this step is an introductory and prerequisite course in the conduct of worship and lay preaching. This step prepares students to conduct worship for their own, or neighbouring congregations and fellowships. Provision: The WSC Foundation Step is provided by Districts or occasionally, nationally for groups of students unable to access a District course.

Content: 1 2 3

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What is worship? Speech and Communication. Elements of the service readings prayers/meditation/silence hymns/music sermon/address stories/children Practicalities and Precautions. Sources and Resources.

Useful resources to be used for this Step include: The ABCs of Lay Preaching from the Midland Union (Copies are available from the Midland Unitarian Association). Please contact Rev Sue Woolley Cheques made payable to ‘The Midland Unitarian Association’ for £9.50 inc. p&p. The Conduct of Worship (Revised) edited Rev Sue Woolley, UALM, 2009. Published by The Unitarian Association for Lay Ministry. Available from Rev Sue Woolley. Cheques made payable to 'UALM' for £3 inc. p&p. Taking the Service by R Lovis and P Sampson. Available from Unitarian Headquarters. Cheques made payable to ‘The General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches’ for £2.00 inc. p&p.

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Assessment: • •

Regular attendance throughout the course. Preparation and delivery of two services to be assessed by the District Course Leader or other appropriate person e.g. a minister or recognised lay leader/ preacher/ pastor who should provide feedback.

Assessor feedback sheets are available from the Course Administrator or via Course Facilitators in Districts which are offering the course. Each successful student receives a Foundation Certificate on application to the Course Administrator.

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Intermediate and Advanced Steps The Local Leadership Strategy Group appoint staff for these steps

Administrator: Rev Winnie Gordon

Tutor (Biblical Studies): Rev Ant Howe

Tutor (Unitarian Theology and Thought): Rev Alex Bradley

Tutor (Unitarian History – Local and Broader): Rev Ernest Baker

Tutor (World Religions) TBC Email:

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Intermediate Step (For WSC and USC students) this step consists of an optional Study Skills Module and an introduction to the Four Main Modules.

Study Skills Module Gives both WSC and USC students an opportunity to revise or improve their study skills.

The Four Main Modules are: 1 2 3 4

Unitarian theology/thought. Unitarian history-local/broader. Biblical studies. World religions and worship including new age/earth spirit spirituality.

For WSC students this step extends their knowledge giving them more material to use for service content. For USC students it is an introductory course.

Provision: • This Step is provided nationally mainly by distance learning. In addition, daylong or short residential sessions may be provided by the Course Tutors and suitable others either as freestanding events or as part of the UALM Annual Conference. • There is a Course Tutor for each of the Four Modules. Each Tutor has been approved and recognised by the Local Leadership Strategy Group. • The designated Course Tutor assesses written work for both courses.

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WSC students are expected to find their own suitably qualified or experienced assessor for the Conduct of Worship element. Assessment forms are available from the Course Administrator.

Time Limit: It is expected that the Preliminary Step would be completed within twelve months with the possibility of extension negotiated through the Course Administrator.

Assessment: The Study Skills Module has no assessment but students on both courses are expected to show use of study skills in their written work.

A)

WSC students:

• Written Work: submit four services one for each of the Four Modules with appropriate readings and hymns. • Conduct of Worship: deliver two of the services for assessment by an appropriate person e.g. a minister or recognised lay leader/ preacher/ pastor. Assessor feedback sheets are available from the Course Administrator.

B)

USC students:

•

Submit four short essays one for each of the Four Modules.

Tutors will normally mark and return written work within six weeks of submission. They will regularly update the Course Administrator of each student’s progress. On completion of the Course each successful student receives an Intermediate Certificate. 9

Advanced Step (For WSC and USC students) this step includes further and deeper study of each of the Four Modules and is similar to the former CLPCW course.

The Four Modules are: 1 2 3 4

Unitarian theology/thought. Unitarian history-local/broader. Biblical studies. World religions and worship including new age/earth spirit spirituality.

For WSC students the step is suitable for those wishing to conduct worship regularly. It would be a useful preliminary for Lay Pastor or Ministerial training. For USC students the step further develops their knowledge and understanding of Unitarianism.

Provision: • This Step is provided nationally mainly by distance learning. In addition, daylong or short residential sessions may be provided by the Course Tutors and suitable others either as freestanding events or as part of the UALM Annual Conference. • There is a Course Tutor for each of the Four Modules. Each Tutor has been approved and recognised by the Local Leadership Strategy Group. • The designated Course Tutor assesses written work for both courses. WSC students are expected to find their own suitably qualified or experienced assessor for the Conduct of Worship element. Assessment forms are available from the Course Administrator.

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Time Limit: There is an expectation that each module of the course would be completed within nine months with the possibility of extension negotiated through the Course Administrator.

Assessment: WSC students • Written work: submit six services with appropriate readings and hymns for each of the modules. These should show a greater depth of understanding and knowledge than at the Intermediate Step. • Conduct of Worship: Deliver six services, covering all the modules, from the twenty-four submitted as written work. These should be assessed by an appropriate person e.g. a minister or recognised lay leader/preacher/pastor. Assessor feedback sheets are available from the Course Administrator. USC students • Submit six essays for each of the Four Modules showing greater depth of understanding and knowledge than at the Preliminary Step. Each assignment should be between 1500-2000 words. • Tutors will normally mark and return written work to students within six weeks of submission. Each successful student is awarded a Certificate of Achievement for each module. On completion of the whole course each successful student receives an Advanced Certificate and WSC students are entered on the General Assembly list of Lay Preachers and Lay Worship Leaders. 11

If after reading this prospectus, you would like to discuss any of the details or make an application to undertake this course, please contact the Course Administrator, Rev Winnie Gordon

Managed by the Worship Studies Group Provided under the auspices of the Local Leadership Strategy Group Part of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, 1-6 Essex Street, London, WC2R 3HY. Registered Charity: No. 250788 Website: www.unitarian.org.uk / Essex Hall Telephone: 020 7240 2384

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