Pathfinder Church Northstowe
Pause Day
with Steve Radley
"I believe the pictures we take & share have the power to change how we see and experience life."
Steve Radley
Founder: SOULFUL VISION
Venue:
Pathfinder Primary School, Northstowe (In the field, unless very wet when we'll be in the hall)
Date:
4 July 2021 10am - 4pm
You will need:
a picnic; hand sanitiser; waterproofs/sunhats; a rug/camp chair; notebook/journal and pen(s); a smartphone (a camera can also be used but sharing images to Padlet will be more challenging). No knowledge of photography is required and the workshop does not focus on the technical aspects of photography (modern cameras can do most of the work for us).
Age Range:
Anyone able to notice things and wonder will get something out of this day. Very little ones might want bring additional toys to play with during the presentations (sadly covid prevents us from sharing ours). Presentations are short and there are lots of opportunities to move around
Dietary requirements:
We are providing ice creams: let us know if we need to take any special considerations
Booking: email contact@northstowe.church
Cost: there will be no charge for you to join this day
We believe in paying professionals for their time. We also wanted to make sure everyone could access this day. Therefore, we are delighted to support Steve out of church funds. Thank you to everyone who already gives regularly to the church, without you this day could not have happened. If you would like to make a one-off donation, we will have a card reader on site. You can sign up to give regularly here.
Pathfinder Primary School, Northstowe (In the field, unless very wet when we'll be in the hall)
Date:
4 July 2021 10am - 4pm
You will need:
a picnic; hand sanitiser; waterproofs/sunhats; a rug/camp chair; notebook/journal and pen(s); a smartphone (a camera can also be used but sharing images to Padlet will be more challenging). No knowledge of photography is required and the workshop does not focus on the technical aspects of photography (modern cameras can do most of the work for us).
Age Range:
Anyone able to notice things and wonder will get something out of this day. Very little ones might want bring additional toys to play with during the presentations (sadly covid prevents us from sharing ours). Presentations are short and there are lots of opportunities to move around
Dietary requirements:
We are providing ice creams: let us know if we need to take any special considerations
Booking: email contact@northstowe.church
Cost: there will be no charge for you to join this day
We believe in paying professionals for their time. We also wanted to make sure everyone could access this day. Therefore, we are delighted to support Steve out of church funds. Thank you to everyone who already gives regularly to the church, without you this day could not have happened. If you would like to make a one-off donation, we will have a card reader on site. You can sign up to give regularly here.
Summary
Premised on Pathfinder Church's values:
Praying
Exploring
Sharing
Exploring
Sharing
this a vision day will be facilitated using contemplative-photography with smartphones to help people reconnect after the COVID-19 restrictions and develop a community vision for the future founded on what is seen in the present.
Aims:
- Praying: To teach basic mindfulness/contemplative techniques allowing people to centre in the present moment opening the possibility to hear God’s still voice for them and their community.
We only find God in the present moment as we cannot travel to the past or future. God is often found in the still small voice
- Exploring. Use the smartphone camera to explore and see Northstowe in new ways.
Exploring opens new possibilities and helps us answer questions of life. Working in groups of two, people will explore Northstowe contemplatively which can inform vision for the future born out of an understanding of the present.
- Sharing: To share images together on the day.
Image speaks to us at an emotional and spiritual level allowing us to hear what is going on within us. Different images speak to us in different ways which allows us to hear each other’s different stories building relationships, trust and love. Post pandemic, this will also help people re-connect
Outcomes:
- Attendees will leave having learned a new way to pray and see their community. It is hoped contemplative photography will continue as a spiritual discipline.
- To inform vision for Northstowe’s ministry, linking the present mission with the future vision and hope that mission is working towards.
Structure (approximate timings):
- 10:00 – Introductions, opening prayers, Beth to outline day.
- 10:20 – Reflection: Finding God in the Present Moment.
- 10:45 – Individual Exercise: People to move outside and practice a mindful walking and contemplation exercise.
- 11:00 – Group sharing: Sharing how we have found this exercise.
- 11:30 – Reflection: Using the smartphone to see in new ways. God’s Gift of Photography
- 12:00 – Lunch (bring your own picnic)
- 13:00 – Working in twos a mindful prayer walk around Northstowe. People to travel to the part of the town they feel called to explore.
Aim: Create (take) an image which reflects Northstowe to you. One image from each person to be posted to Padlet. - 14:00 – Reflection: Listening to an image.
- 14:15 – Groups of 4 reflect together on each others images – noticing our emotions and thoughts and perceptions of Northstowe.
- 15:00 – Each Group to share something they have learnt / seen afresh / been inspired by / feel is what God is calling (reflections to be recorded to help inform Vision)
- 15:30 – AGM. Questions, and Election of Church Representatives.
- 15:50 – Final prayers as images are played on a loop to music
- 16.00 - Close
If you need to dip in and out of the day, for example, to fit around children's naps, please feel free to do so.
Biography: Steve Radley
As an Anglican priest, retired military Chaplain, and Afghanistan veteran, I use photography to help see life in all its fullness, promoting vision and peace.
I grew up in the Lake District which gave me a love of the outdoors, fell walking, sailing and nature. My early working life encompassed agriculture, estate management and business finance. I was ordained in 1996 and after parish ministry joined the RAF Chaplains branch.
I have a keen interest in spirituality and mental health having written a dissertation which in part explored the relationship between our mental health and our understanding of the world. I have a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Science in Psychiatry & War, a diploma in professional photography, and certificates in counselling and business management. I am a trained mental health first aider. My personal experience of mental health, having suffered from both depression and anxiety, gives me an understanding beyond the academic. After my last deployment to Afghanistan I discovered photography brought healing to me by helping manage my anxiety, focusing on the present moment and seeing life in new ways.
Since leaving the RAF I have led photography retreats and photo-mindfulness workshops, establishing Soulful Vision in 2020 which brings together my study and experience with my love of photography. Through this work I aim to promote spiritual, mental and emotional resilience by encouraging people to find an inner peace, using the camera to see life in new and hope-filled ways.
My work was recognised nationally in 2021 when I was awarded the prestigious Amateur Photographer’s ‘Unsung Hero’ award 1 and the Church Times 2 featured my work in June 2021. I have led retreats and workshops across the UK and Ireland including: Sheldon, Devon; Launde Abbey, Leicestershire; The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London; Shepherds Dene, Northumbria; Cliff College, Derbyshire; & Manresa, The Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Dublin.
1 https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/apawards/ap-awards-2021-our-unsung-hero-145779
2 https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/4-june/features/features/photography-therapeutic-work-of-sights-and-insights
I grew up in the Lake District which gave me a love of the outdoors, fell walking, sailing and nature. My early working life encompassed agriculture, estate management and business finance. I was ordained in 1996 and after parish ministry joined the RAF Chaplains branch.
I have a keen interest in spirituality and mental health having written a dissertation which in part explored the relationship between our mental health and our understanding of the world. I have a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Science in Psychiatry & War, a diploma in professional photography, and certificates in counselling and business management. I am a trained mental health first aider. My personal experience of mental health, having suffered from both depression and anxiety, gives me an understanding beyond the academic. After my last deployment to Afghanistan I discovered photography brought healing to me by helping manage my anxiety, focusing on the present moment and seeing life in new ways.
Since leaving the RAF I have led photography retreats and photo-mindfulness workshops, establishing Soulful Vision in 2020 which brings together my study and experience with my love of photography. Through this work I aim to promote spiritual, mental and emotional resilience by encouraging people to find an inner peace, using the camera to see life in new and hope-filled ways.
My work was recognised nationally in 2021 when I was awarded the prestigious Amateur Photographer’s ‘Unsung Hero’ award 1 and the Church Times 2 featured my work in June 2021. I have led retreats and workshops across the UK and Ireland including: Sheldon, Devon; Launde Abbey, Leicestershire; The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London; Shepherds Dene, Northumbria; Cliff College, Derbyshire; & Manresa, The Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Dublin.
1 https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/apawards/ap-awards-2021-our-unsung-hero-145779
2 https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/4-june/features/features/photography-therapeutic-work-of-sights-and-insights