Courses
Integrating Life and Faith
This 4 x weekend module training course explores the role of Christians as citizens in society and the ways in which, inspired by the Gospel, they can promote social justice.

The Craighead Institute has been running this course in Scotland, other parts of the UK and internationally for the past 20 years with the materials being constantly updated.

At the heart of the course is the belief that God is as much to be found in our relationships, our families, our homes, our places of work and the events of every day as well as in prayer, in scripture and in the sacraments.

Course participants are those who want to reflect on the integrity of their faith with their daily living and respond accordingly. Those participating previously have been interested in using their faith as a resource in taking an active role in society in particular in churches, parishes, schools and communities.

We have found participants have benefited from the experiential approach of the course which is firmly rooted in people's current situation, and which leads to them more energising and empowering ways of living out their faith.

Comments from participants have included:

I feel more aware of the presence of God in my day-to-day living

ILF has given me fresh insights into my life as a Christian

This Course has helped me in improving my attitudes, understanding, behaviour. I see it as a very precious gift.

The Social Analysis exercise, undergone together with my other Base Group colleagues, has made me realise how important it is that our social activities should be impregnated with a living faith. 

The Course has helped me become more mature in my faith journey. I have learned to pay more attention to the society I live in and to be aware that I have been called to action... My faith has become a faith that acts for justice...

At the end of this Course, I feel richer, stronger, more aware, more awake and more responsible.

The 4 Modules of Integrating Life and Faith are:

Module 1: Trust Building and Communication Skills

Aim: to develop interpersonal skills in listening, interaction in groups and facilitation

Content: the path to discernment / the principle and foundation of God's love / trust building / listening and communication skills / understanding group dynamics / facilitating a group / keeping to task / learning how to keep a log book / pastoral cycle - reflecting on my own journey

Module 2: Christianity and Social Concern

Aim: to assist one another in linking faith and justice through an understanding and knowledge of society and the social teachings of the Church

Content: Understanding my own faith journey / looking at the wider world / justice and injustice / understanding: perspectives, bias and stance / how to do social analysis / ecumenical social teachings

Module 3: The Word of God in Scripture, Life and Community

Aim: to link reality as we perceive it, the community in which we live and our faith story both in the Bible and in our lives

Content: Understanding beliefs and values / linking scripture to life experiences / images of God / introducing the Old Testament and the New Testament /Themes: Liberation, covenant, prophecy / Kingdom:church and kingdom

Module 4: Ignatian Prayer / Discernment / Action

Aim: to enable participants to explore pastoral methods for building the Kingdom of God today

Content: Looking at Ignatian spirituality / power and powerlessness / how can I exercise power? / experiences of prayer / freedom to act / working together for the Kingdom of God

Participants also meet in Base Groups three times between each Module for a couple of hours (at a mutually convenient time and place). One further meeting of the Base Groups takes place after the final module.

Programmes are currently being developed in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and in Liverpool. Contact Pauline Petrie for details.   Pauline@craighead.org.uk or 0141 332 2733

For further information please contact Dawn Revie or Jo Kennedy on 0141 332 2733 or mail@craighead.org.uk