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CMS Awards

We have come to the end of another cycle of the CMS certificate. This is a course we run to

encourage and enable people to find and grow their pioneering gift. For those who want to

its also a means of working towards being commissioned as a lay pioneer in the Diocese of

Salisbury.

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As ever we have had a fabulous group of students on the course over the past year. All

called to different contexts: village communities, spiritual seekers, families and children, the

canal boat community, a marginalised housing estate. And all finding in the course a place to

explore how they might creatively come alongside people in these contexts, build

relationship and witness to the love of Christ.

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We recently held our award ceremony where some of those on the course were able to

come and receive their awards. Bishop Karen was also present to commission three new lay

pioneers. Our theme was the sea, and pioneering as a journey into the unknown blown by

the wind of the Spirit. Everyone joined in making coracles!

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During the event Pip Sanday from Devizes, who is leading in mission to the narrowboat

community on the canal there, spoke about how the course has impacted her:

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In February 2023 I started Shower Tuesday for boaters at St James Centre, as a

test, to see what would happen. In May, at Lee Abbey I had a picture of a Prayer

Boat, while seeking discernment. I started to attend monthly ‘Canal Prayer’ – guided

prayer mornings led by Margaret Brown: a lifeline; connecting with and listening to

God.

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I had been put in touch with a friend, an artist with an interest in narrowboats, and

found he had just finished the CMS certificate in Pioneer Mission. The word ‘Pioneer’

grabbed my attention. I started the CMS certificate in July.

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The course has taught me Laurie Green’s Reflective Cycle – which I have used to

evaluate, stop and start Shower Tuesday, with a new way forward, purpose and

intention of ‘being with’, with a team from St James. A learning point from the Rural

Mission module was seeing Shower Tuesday in terms of a cover-crop; not for short-

term harvest, but to enhance and prepare the soil for the future.

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At the Missional Church module, one of the images used showed people at a craft-

prayer-café, in Poole. This spoke to me with a jolt, with an image of people doing

creative prayer looking out of the large windows of day-boat Litania. I shared this

image with Rob and Trish, and we prayed to make Jesus known on the Kennet and

Avon Canal.

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The dream of a Prayer Boat continues and I, with a team, have been generously

offered the use of Litania for a few months, to see where God leads. A floating

prayer space is beckoning with opportunities to engage in new, fun, purposeful ways

with people on the edge of society and on the edge of church.

The reflective cycle has enabled me to question my doubts and see God leading me.

I am embarking on finding out what God has ahead, as a lay pioneer based at St

James Devizes. The course has enabled me to catch up with God – who He has

made me and who He is making me become.

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If you or anyone you know would like to go on this formational journey in pioneer ministry do

get in touch. We will be starting a new cycle of the CMS certificate in January 2025 and

applications for this are now open.

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You can find more info here.

Information flier.

Or contact Sally Taylor for an informal chat; sally.taylor@poolemc.org.uk

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