What is the Barking Programme?
A Programme offering study and training opportunities for Christians in the Barking Episcopal Area."I wholeheartedly support the Barking Programme. The imagination that goes into creating learning events that engage with Christians living in our challenging times is a gift to us all in the Barking Area."
David Hawkins Bishop of Barking.
Basic Structure
Barking Programme covers the five Deaneries of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest that make up West Ham Archdeaconry and the three Deaneries of Epping, Ongar and Harlow that make up the Archdeaconry of Harlow.Steering Groups
Each Archdeaconry has a steering group made up of volunteers, lay and ordained, that monitor the work of the Barking Programme. It is from this group that subjects for courses, venues and facilitators are suggested. Barking Programme has no syllabus, it aims to respond to the grass roots needs of the local community.Time Commitment
Courses are normally day events delivered locally at an affordable price for all, with leaders drawn from local resources people where possible and appropriate.Ecumenical
Although this is an Anglican backed project Barking Programme is an ecumenical body open to Christians living and working in the East London and Southern area of Essex.Subject Matter
Because we draw upon a wide array of talents the subject matter is rich, with traditional academic subjects running along side practical and pastoral courses offering a range of educational and training provisions. The only fixed component of the Programme is the two Quiet Days run at Lent and Advent. These aim to offer space and reflection on the Christian life for busy people.How to find out about what events are coming up?
Each church receives a mailing for the different courses on offer. This is normally a collection of flyers like this leaflet, giving details of new events with a poster outlining the terms principal events. Simply fill in the form and send it off to the address on the flyer with the fees (normally £5.00 per course) and your booked on the course.Other Aspects of our work
There are two other projects that Barking Programme has developed. The first is a Theology library and audio visual resource that Churches in the Barking Area are welcome to use. This is based at our office in Ilford and you can arrange an appointment through the address at the end of this leaflet.The second is a Theology society open to lay and ordained Christians living and working in the Barking Episcopal area. This is again run through the Steering groups but aims to have a regional and Urban bias.
