LONDON - 23 February 2007 - 360 words
Students challenged to live out the Gospel
Last weekend, more than 50 students from many churches gathered in Shropshire to encounter new ways of reading, understanding and using the Bible.
The Student Christian Movement's annual conference, on the theme of Reading the Bible, drew students from all over the UK, as well as international representatives from the World Student Christian Federation, to pray, study and reflect on the Bible and share time together. There were Catholic students present from NEWI, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Sheffield.
Fr Chris McCoy, co-ordinator of Catholic HE chaplaincy, celebrated Mass on the Sunday morning.
Two keynote speakers challenged delegates in different ways. Renowned biblical scholar Professor Morna Hooker gave an in-depth look at the gospel of Mark, emphasising its drama and literary qualities, and the way it closes with a challenge for readers to become disciples of Christ. Later in the day, Dr John Vincent, of the Ashram Community in Sheffield, suggested some ways of living out that discipleship in solidarity with the poor and oppressed. MP3 recordings of both talks are available on request.
During the rest of the event, students took part in many activities including storytelling, artistic responses to language, inter-faith scriptural studies. A session on Lectio Divina was run by Dom David Foster of Downside Abbey.
There were in-depth Bible studies and regular prayer and worship, culminating in a service shared by everyone present on Sunday.
The closing worship included elements of liturgy prepared for the Universal Day of Prayer for Students, which took place that day, so we were praying together with other member movements of the World Student Christian Federation in many different countries.
Students commented: 'A thoroughly enjoyable experience in a warm, friendly and encouraging atmosphere.' ... 'Thanks so much. I had a great time and learned loads. I'm so glad I came.' ... 'I was initially sceptical about SCM but found it was good with nice, open-minded people.'
The Student Christian Movement seeks to bring together students of all backgrounds to explore the Christian faith in an open-minded and non-judgemental environment. We seek to promote a vision of Christianity that is inclusive, aware, radical and challenging.
See www.movement.org.uk
for more on the Reading the Bible theme and conference and
the accompanying publication. Photos and other post-conference
materials will be uploaded during next week.
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
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