Resources
Added 8th December, 2011
PCN Britain, Modern Church, St Marks Centre for Radical Christianity and Free to Believe are the four sponsors of this series of Study Guides. They publish under the banner “Together in Hope - Resources for Christian Faith Today”. They can all be purchased at our shop http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop/ . For information about the study guides use the download here. The aim is to provide materials for those who seek a credible Christian faith for the twenty first century. Three books have been published with three more in the pipeline.
Added 3rd February, 2012
You’ll find here the draft guidelines for local groups within the PCN network. Also the list of benefits available to groups. The PCN trustees hope that group convenors will feed back comments to us at info@pcnbritain.org.uk.
Added 28th November, 2011
In the second of two articles on the condescending nature of charity, Andrew Parker (website http://bibleincartoons.co.uk/) claims we should ask not what we can do to for others, but what we can do for ourselves. Those who have been marginalised can already see what we cannot see; how we much are tied into the existing domination system.
Added 29th November, 2011
The riots: where do we go from here p3
Letter from the chair p5
Perhaps God . . . p5
Father Adrian Smith remembered p6
News from local groups p7
A joyful progressive first in Leicester p10
Pentecost at Gladstone’s Library p12
PCN Britain at Greenbelt p13
Books: ‘A modern credo’, ‘Christmas: ancient meanings, modern faith’ p14 &15
Added 29th November, 2011
A meal with a difference, p2
Impressions of the AGM & formal report, p2-5
Letter from the chair p5
A perspective on the eternal p6
News from local groups p7
Can we be radical in practice p11
Future events p13
Book Reviews and a good deal more p14 -16
Added 7th November, 2011
This article by Andrew Parker (website http://bibleincartoons.co.uk/) was written over a year ago for a church magazine in Suffolk but somehow never got published. Was it just too radical? Given the growing support in the Church of England for the Occupy campaign, one hopes that the editors of the parish magazine might now think again. But in case they don’t, here it is for all to read. He wrote a follow up which will be available here soon.
Added 28th October, 2011
As a result of the consultation carried out in September 2011, the PCN trustees have put together a three year plan. We invite your comments which can be sent to PCN Britain, 26 High Street, Newnham, Gloucestershire, GL14 1BB or by email to andy.vivian@pcnbritain.org.uk.
Added 14th October, 2011
PCN Britain has prepared this checklist for local group thinking of organising a conference or seminar under the PCN banner. It covers all aspect of planning from arranging a speaker to handing back the venue key. It also outlines some of the ways in which PCN can help. Later in 2012 we hope to publish a list of British religious writers and theologians willing to address a conference.
Added 31st August, 2011
Having written the book of the same title, Bishop Spong has now produced an hour long lecture which has been filmed by Living the Questions.
Three PCN Britain members have watched it and we reproduce their comments in this pdf. The DVD can be purchased in the UK from Richard Titford, titford@keme.co.uk
Added 22nd September, 2011
David Sorrill was a longstanding member of PCN Britain. Sadly he passed away in May 2011. David was writing a book about his faith journey when he died. Though not quite finished, it makes an interesting read and is freely available at https://sites.google.com/site/davidsorrill19412011/ . The first part of the book covers his time on the Indian Sub-continent. In the second part he starts to put together an intellectual framework for his insights gained over the years. You can get a flavour of his conclusions in this text - the last chapter of his unfinished work - so please click the link to continue.
Added 27th July, 2011
John Dominic Crossan’s work on Christian history challenges us to rethink what Jesus meant to those who knew him while he was alive. We’ve invited him to lead a conference in Leeds from Sept 16th - 18th 2011, at St Andrews URC in Roundhay. For details of the conference go to http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/events/category/C29/
To hear a Youtube clip of Crossan, please click on the link.
Added 31st August, 2011
This four lecture series from Dominic Crossan is available as a DVD. It has been reviewed by three PCN members and their comments are reproduced in this pdf.
The DVD can be purchased, in the UK, from Richard Titford at titford@keme.co.uk
Added 9th September, 2011
It is PCN Britain’s policy to produce a review of progress every three years and to invite members, through a questionnaire, to suggest ways forward. You will find both of these in this word document. Please return the form by email to andy.vivian@pcnbritain.org.uk by Monday Oct 3rd. Alternatively you can print it out and return the completed form by post to the address on the form. Thank you.
Added 25th July, 2011
Anyone is welcome to submit material for inclusion in the Liturgy section. We welcome individual prayers and hymns as well as “complete” liturgies such as Communion. We would like to include liturgy relating to occasions of deep emotion and spirituality, such as healing, the birth of a child, loss and dying. Material should wherever possible be original, offering a genuine alternative to existing liturgy. We do not rule out drawing on existing words but you will be asked to attribute the source and gain permission for its inclusion. Decisions about inclusion in the project will be made by the Liturgy Project subcommittee of PCN led by Angela Smith, a PCN Trustee. Please click on the link for advice, declaration forms relating to copyright and where to send your submission.
Thanks
Added 7th July, 2011
In the last of his lectures to the PCN conference in Glasgow in June 2011, Bishop Jack Spong, a leading progressive Christian author, talked about how Jesus, in his life and teachings, broke the boundaries imposed by our survival instinct. This clip, about 3 minutes, deals with the boundaries of hatred.
The whole conference is available on CD from the PCN Britain shop at http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop/
Added 18th July, 2011
In this 2 minute clip Bishop Jack spong clip deals with attitudes to women.
To buy the CD set please go to http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop
Added 18th July, 2011
In this three minute clip, Jack Spong talks about how Jesus stepped beyond the boundaries of his religion.
The entire conference can be bought on CD. Please go to http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop
Added 18th July, 2011
These minutes are made available once they have been confirmed by the next meeting
Added 18th July, 2011
These minutes are made available once they have been confirmed at the next meeting
Added 5th July, 2011
A Report on the Conference held at Orchardhill Parish Church – Giffnock, Glasgow
By Rev John Hetherington – Kendal PCN Group
Added 18th May, 2011
In this edition: Sonya Brown’s personal account of the cultural and religious impact of her visit to India and Carol Williams on how her “Wordbox” solved the problem of planning group discussions. Duncan Craig challenges PCN to be open about theological difference among its membership, notably the question of theistic and non-theistic views of God. Richard Tetlow presents his blueprint for successful Muslim-Christian relations and Michael Wright takes a stance on the government’s austerity programme. Plus the usual group reports, book news and reviews and a thoughtful response to Duncan in Hugh Dawes’ editorial.
Added 28th April, 2011
The PCN Britain Annual Report covering 2010, published in April 2011.
Added 6th December, 2010
The PCN Group Census, which was sent out in September 2010, received a response from only a third of groups. We’ve held it open into the start of 2011 in the hope to getting more. If your group has not completed it, please print off the pdf and return the completed questionnaire to Andy Vivian, Admin Assistant, PCN Britain, 26 High Street, Newnham, Gloucestershire, GL14 1BB. Thanks.
Added 6th December, 2010
PCN Britain has produced a new “Welcome to a Progressive Church” poster, listing the eight points. The poster is available free in A4 size for downloading from the web. Hard copies of the poster are also available for purchase from the PCN Britain office in A2, A3 and A4 sizes. Please contact the admin assistant for details via info@pcnbritain.org.uk
Added 31st January, 2011
David Kemp draws a parallel between belief in God and Father Christmas while editor Hugh Dawes argues that Christmas teaches us the virtues of being child-like. Angela Smith makes the case for her new project to create progresive liturgies. There is a hymn from Chris Avis and a poem from Philip Sudworth. Philip also reviews a new book called “So You Think You’re Not Religious” by James Rowe Adams. Atheism and Buddhism make an appearance in other book reviews. There are the usual reports from PCN groups across the UK. And a special report on the Marcus Borg Weekend in Edinburgh. You can also read about our convenors’ gatherings at which group representatives met to discuss group activities.
Added 17th March, 2011
The publication of PCN Trustee’s minutes was agreed at the Nov 2010 meeting. This set of minutes for the November 2010 meeting was approved at the March 2011 meeting.
Added 4th November, 2010
This communion liturgy, prepared by John Churcher chair of PCN Britain, was first used at our residential committee in January 2010. Feel free to use it for public worship but we would appreciate you crediting its sources which are listed at the end of the liturgy.
Added 9th November, 2010
A Hymn by PCN member, Chris Avis, Tune: In Dulci Jubilo
First verse
Our world cries out to be reborn:
a world of pain, all tossed and torn.
Babies born to mothers
scarce old enough to yet conceive,
like Jesus born to Mary,
so young, so fearful, so naive;
he was there before us,
Jesus born that way….
Added 15th November, 2010
A hymn from David Stevenson which can be sung to Abbot’s Leigh by Cyril V Taylor.
First verse:
Loving God in all creation,
Source and pulse of human life,
Unseen hope of every nation,
Healer of disease and strife;
You are rich beyond our dreaming,
Bursting forth in sacred mirth,
Light and colour gaily streaming
Through the dull affairs of earth….
Added 15th November, 2010
A hymn by David Stevenson which can be sung to Manna by J G Schicht
First Verse
Eternal Love, your grace we praise
Which shapes and comforts all our days,
Evolves the world we know.
Let worship, symbols come of age
To help us read beneath the page
And test the status quo!
Added 10th November, 2010
A printable PDF of the latest PCN Britain Information leaflet
Added 10th November, 2010
Carol Williams and Geoff Newton from PCN’s Exeter Group offer an exploration of and suggested remedies for the present divisions between the Church and the secular world
Added 20th July, 2008
If you wish to apply for membership by post, just fill out our membership form and send it to PCN Britain, along with payment either by cheque or instructions to set up a standing order.
Added 2nd November, 2010
Theologian, Marcus Borg led PCN’s September 2010 conference in Edinburgh. The talks, sermon and questions were recorded and are available as a 4CD set through the PCN online Shop, http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop/ . These notes refer to Disc 2 where the title of the talk is Speaking Christian - Redeeming Christian Language.
Added 2nd November, 2010
Theologian, Marcus Borg led PCN’s September 2010 conference in Edinburgh. The talks, sermon and questions were recorded and are available as a 4CD set through the PCN online Shop, http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop/ . These notes refer to Disc 3 where the title of the talk is Beyond Literalism.
Added 2nd November, 2010
Theologian, Marcus Borg led PCN’s September 2010 conference in Edinburgh. The talks, sermon and questions were recorded and are available as a 4CD set through the PCN online Shop, http://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/index.php/shop/ . These notes refer to Disc 4 where the title of the talk is Beyond Convention - Participating in God’s Passion for Transformation.
Added 2nd November, 2010
Philip Sudworth challenges progressive Christians to engage with the unchurched and not to waste time trying to breach the Maginot line of traditional church teaching. He wants a change of agenda from doctrinal wrangling to acts of love; opportunities to share our faith should be earned through actions and attitudes. Tim Hinds appreciates Walter Wink’s latest take on Jesus as a social revolutionary, and there are reports on this year’s St Deiniol’s PCN residential and PCN’s stall at Greenbelt. Chris Avis reviews theologian, Marcus Borg’s first attempt as a novelist and Hugh Dawes sounds a warning that the historical Jesus may be a reflection of our own liberal leanings and we should not ignore the lessons of Jesus approach to death.
Added 2nd November, 2010
James Quinton appeals to progressive Christians to maintain the distinctively Christian elements of God and not to reduce their faith to a “vague and rootless theology” which might better belong to a “Progressive Spirituality Network”. Jack Dean appeals to progressive Christians to seek out the roots of their faith in the itinerant teacher, Jesus. He goes on to suggest “our pointless liturgy and dreary three-point sermon” should be abandonned in favour of a “programme of re-education, inaugurating a challenge to engage in life”. Graham Hellier calls for a bloodless re-writing of the communion service and Chris Avis challenges the idea of a “Great Commission”. Hugh Dawes takes a sideways look at Quakers through two new publications and Duncan Craig reviews a book on why so many young Americans are embracing religious orthodoxy.
Added 1st July, 2010
This is our Annual Report & Financial Statements for the financial year 1st January - 31st December 2009
Added 2nd August, 2010
In May 2010, Professor David Catchpole led a PCN Britain residential weekend at the St Deiniol’s residential library. He addressed some of the questions provoked by historical affirmations about Jesus in the Christian creeds, and filled in some of the gaps left where those creeds say nothing at all. Finally, with an eye to the question of whether Jesus can be viewed as the founder of Christianity, Professor Catchpole drew in a “theologically significant other”, and asked whether the religion of the carpenter’s son was truly that of the tentmaker Roman citizen, and vice versa. The papers to accompany Professor Catchpole’s talks are available here. The four topics are:
1. Mary and Joseph and the Baby (page 1);
2. Not a Christian but a Jew (page 15);
3. When from death he passed…? (page 30);
4. From 30 - 2010: Jesus in his world, and we in ours, (page 47).
Added 9th September, 2010
PCN has acquired copies of a number of study DVDs for use by PCN Groups.
From Living the Questions we have Living the Questions, the original (12 sessions - £25), Living the Questions 2, (21 Sessions - £40), First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom (12 sessions - £40), Saving Jesus (12 sessions - £40), Saving Jesus Redux (12 sessions - £40), Countering Pharoh’s Production-Consumption Society Today (4 or 5 sessions - £10) and Eclipsing Empire (12 sessions - £40), Jesus for the Non-Religious (1 hr lecture by Jack Spong - £10), Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace (4 sessions by Dominic Crossan - £10),
From other sources we have The Challenge of Jesus - Dominic Crossan’s Matrix series (18 sessions £40), The Human Spirit & The Times We Live In (4 lectures in 8 sessions by Chittister and Rohr - £25). Beyond Theology (10 sessions £20). For further information about each in the download and about availability from the PCN Resource Librarian: jess.lee@pcnbritain.org.uk.
Added 9th August, 2010
PCN Britain has learned of a new US religious studies programme for children.
Added 18th May, 2010
Occupying the ‘Chair’ for over a year has led me into many interesting situations and conversations. Here are just three of the questions that have been sent to or asked of me. I include my responses so that members of PCN Britain may be encouraged and supported when you also face such questions. The answers that I give are from my faith perspective, although I hope that they are in line with the 8 Points that guide PCN Britain. It is also important to remind ourselves that PCN Britain exists to resource and support local groups and people in their own faith pilgrimage and our place of uniting is around those 8 Points - not in declaring that this or that is the only way of seeing things.
Added 24th May, 2010
Howard Grace, who co-convenes the PCN group in Newbury, provides his take on evolution. Editor, Hugh Dawes supplies a progressive message on the resurrection. John Keddie, a church of Scotland minister, writes about God language and Hazel Day writes about prayer. Tom Hind tackles the question of what authority we need for our faith. There are reviews of three books recently published by PCN members plus the usual reports from PCN Groups.
Added 24th May, 2010
The death of PCN’s honorary adviser, hymnwriter, Fred Kaan, prompts a couple of articles in this edition. There a tribute from two members of PCN who, like Fred, are members of the United Reformed Church and a transcript of a speech given by Fred’s wife, Anthea, to the PCN AGM in October. Reflecting the season, PCN vice Chair Mary McMahon gives us food for thought at Christmas and Dorothy Haughton, a Unitarian, looks at Christmas from her viewpoint. PCN’s outgoing Hon Secretary, Jill Sandham, writes of what it means to be a progressive Christian and Hugh Dawes, the outgoing PCN Chair, writes a challenging article on looking for reliability in scripture. There are the usual reports from PCN’ groups and articles reflecting Bishop Jack Spong’s autumn lecture tour, sponsored by PCN.
Added 1st March, 2010
The PCN Group Network is there to support progressive Christians whether or not they wish to subscribe to PCN itself. We ask only that the group should support the Eight Points (see About Us) and that there should be at least one member of the group who is part of PCN-Britain and therefore able to act as the link person or convenor. If you are wondering whether to start a new group this download will tell you what is involved and what we can do to help you. See also Experiences and Reflections on starting a PCN Group.
Added 29th April, 2010
This is a more informal companion to “Starting a new PCN Group” which has been compiled by two members with experience of running a local group.
Added 6th May, 2010
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of PCN Britain held on 24th October 2009 at 10.45am, at St James’s Church, Piccadilly
Added 20th April, 2010
A hymn by PCN member, Monty Lynds, copyright 2006. Can be sung to the tune St Peters.
First Verse
I thank you God for giving me
The freedom to explore
Unfettered by the words of some
I’ll learn to know you more.
Added 21st April, 2010
A hymn by PCN member, Monty Lynds, copyright 2004.
Can be sung to the tune, Kingsfold
First Verse:
We sing our song of light divine
Now born to all the earth.
To every colour, every race
To poor and noble birth.
To those of all and varied paths
With different ways to God.
The gifts of love to humankind
Are on the road He trod.
Added 28th April, 2010
This is our Annual Report & Financial Statements for the financial year 1st January - 31st December 2008
Added 29th April, 2010
This is the latest PCN Britain constitution.
Added 31st December, 2009
John Hetherington writes of a Spiritual Awakening, with both personal and global implications. Having retired from active ministry, John Weir Cook wonders about our images of God. Michael Wright gives an appreciation of Quaker spirituality plus the usual reports from the groups including a discussion on “what shall we tell the children” by the Newbury group.
Added 31st December, 2009
Charles Hedley, outgoing vice-char, writes of his hope for Progressive Christianity, Robin Story reports from The World to Come conference at St Mark’s Centre for Radical Christianity in Sheffield and Jill and Paul Cooper describe the St Deiniol’s Weekend on Portraits of Jesus. Plus book reviews and a poem, Some Living Ends, by Chris Avis.
Added 31st December, 2009
Items include My World of Doubt by John Cook and a summary of PCN Britain’s three year strategy by Jill Sandham, the secretary. John Churcher writes his first chair’s letter and Brian Wilson writes of Poetry (A Pathway to God?) Plus the usual reports from PCN groups and book reviews.
Added 26th April, 2009
What have we achieved? What next?
A review of PCN Britain’s three year strategy 2005 - 2008
Added 26th April, 2009
Together in Hope - I hope so!
Adrian Alker, a member of PCN Britain’s Management Committee from the beginning, founder member of the Centre for Radical Christianity in Sheffield, writes about the challenges for the Network of working together with others - what has been done, and what the future might hold.
Added 25th June, 2008
Progress Christianity and Climate Change: Adrian Alker, vicar of St Mark’s in Sheffield, secretary of the Centre for Radical Christianity there, and a member of the PCN committee, offers a progressive Christian take on what is fast becoming the principal concern of our time.
Added 18th December, 2008
Download our Annual Report for 2007/2008.
Added 16th July, 2008
A formatted poster of the ‘Eight Points’ ready to print.
