Crucible On the Edge module is now running in later 2023 and early 2024.
There are bursaries available for Methodist delegates and UE mission partners.
​See flyer for details.

​The Crucible course is back. We are running three modules in the first half of 2023.
Each of these will take place on two Saturdays (10.00-4.00):
 
After Christendom: 11 February and 25 March
On the Edge: 15 April, 13th May
Church Unplugged: 3 June and 1 July
 
These modules will be taught in person to participants in Exeter, using the training room of the South West Baptist Association. This room has the facilities needed to livestream the teaching, making it accessible anywhere. This means that you can participate in any of three ways:
 
·      In person in Exeter
·      Together with others in a local hub with an experienced facilitator
·      Online as an individual
 
As always, the course is open to anyone interested in exploring faith, discipleship, mission and church in a changing culture.
​Find out more on our main page.

The Crucible course and the Methodist Church’s ‘Church at the Margins’ project are partnering together to offer an online module.

We need to pay particular attention to the margins, because we serve a God who frequently does new things there:
• On the margins of society among the poor and disenfranchised.
• At the margins of culture, where creative thinking explores new possibilities.
• On the margins of the familiar, the spaces all around us, neglected or ignored, but full of potential.
Module 1: 17 & 24 October, 7 & 14 November, 28 November, 5 December
Module 2: 10 & 24 January, 7 & 21 February, 7 & 21 March

Each module will run over 6 evenings from 7.00 until 9.00. A team of experienced trainers will deliver the sessions, which will be interactive.
The cost is £80 per person. Bursaries may be available.
For further information about ‘Church at the Margins’, contact: Eunice Attwood, Church at the Margins Officer attwoode@methodistchurch.org.uk

We trialled the Pay What You Feel scheme for Crucible Course autumn-winter 2021 and people liked it, so we are continuing to offer the two modules in early 2022 on the same basis.
Pay What You Feel:
It costs around £80 per person to run each Crucible module and we recognise that for some this will be too much, whilst others will be happy and able to pay more. We don't want anyone to be excluded so please pay what you feel. 

We're excited to announce that new Crucible Course modules are available starting in the autumn 2021.
After Christendom: Tuesdays October 5, 12, 19; November 2, 9, 16 at 7pm
Church Unplugged: Wednesdays October 6, 13, 20, November 3, 10, 17 at 7pm
 
Listening to the feedback from course attendees we have revised the structure of the online course.
Each module  will now run over six evenings, once a week, with a mid-module break.  Each evening will have one speaker and there will be extra time allocated for breakout rooms and plenary discussion.  This will provide the opportunity for more discussion and feedback and time for greater consideration of each topic presented.

New for this year we have also added further opportunities for connection and reflection:
Learning hubs: opportunities for in-person groups in local areas where there are enough people nearby, facilitated by one of the Crucible team.
Communities of practice: opportunities for online conversations after each module with a focus on applying what has been learned, facilitated by our partners, Urban Life.

The Crucible steering group is meeting on 30 June to make decisions about future modules. As long as restrictions are not re-imposed, we will have the option of reverting to in-person teaching in the autumn. We really miss the interaction and opportunities to get to know each other that online modules don’t allow, but we are also aware that the online modules have enabled us to connect with a much wider constituency, to charge lower fees and to save travelling time and environmental impact. Should we continue online, revert to in-person modules or develop some kind of hybrid? We would welcome your thoughts on this: please email admin@urbanexpression.org.uk
 
Second, we are aware that the online modules do not allow time or privacy for the kinds of conversations we have enjoyed over the years at Crucible events – conversations about issues raised in the modules, about vocation, about pastoral concerns, about missional opportunities, about involvement in one or more of the sponsoring agencies, etc. So we want to say at this point that we are open to arranging such conversations – via Zoom, phone or in person – if any of you would value these. Just let us know.
 
For those who have participated in the Crucible Course in autumne and spring thank you for journeying with us over the past months. We hope you have a relaxing summer and we’ll be in touch in due course about future Crucible plans.
 
The Crucible team