SPRING FORUM SERIES 2019: What makes a good city? Series 2.
Themes – immigration, church policy and responding to climate change.
Wednesdays, 13 Feb, 13 March & 10 April 2019
12–1.30pm, UTU’s library area in the basement of Victoria Hall Methodist Church, Sheffield (entrance in Chapel Walk). Bring your own packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be available. All welcome.
Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7
Wednesday 13 February: David Price on ‘The impact of immigration in Sheffield’ with Joe Forde as respondent and Ibtisam Al-Farah as Chair. David will draw on his recently published book Welcome to Sheffield –A Migration History and will argue that Sheffield has now become an ethnically diverse and cosmopolitan city and needs to come to terms with this. Copies of David’s book will be available for purchase.
Wednesday 13 March: Rev Dr John Vincent on ‘Church Policy in Sheffield’, with the Revd Nick Jowett as respondent and the Revd Philip Borkett as Chair. As recounted in their book Inner City Testament (2017), John and Grace Vincent began their mission in inner city Sheffield nearly 50 years ago in the early 1970s. Since then, there have been huge changes both in the city and in its churches. John will reflect on the changes in church policy over this period.
Wednesday 10 April: Jenny Carpenter on ‘How well is our city responding to climate change?’ with the Revd Michael Bayley as respondent and Jo Chamberlain as Chair. Sir David Attenborough has described climate change as the greatest threat to humanity in thousands of years. Jenny and Michael are both involved in Sheffield Climate Alliance and will review the extent to which decision makers in the city and ordinary citizens are facing up to this massive challenge.
Our Autumn Colloquia were all well attended and much appreciated, so, as we enter 2019, we are continuing to address the theme: ‘What makes a good city?’ Some felt that the term ‘colloquium’ was too obscure, so we have changed the name to ‘Forum’ but we will retain essentially the same format – a short lunchtime talk by a carefully selected and well informed speaker, followed by questioning of the speaker and reflective discussion. We are adding one extra feature: a ‘respondent’ who will give a short commentary (up to five minutes) on the main talk before the subject is thrown open to the whole group.
Enquiries to Jill, UTU administrator 0114 2709907/office@wordpress-1151684-4277157.cloudwaysapps.com