Spiritual seminars on early church offered
 By David Patey
EarlyChurch.co.uk has announced a programme of seminars for 2007, to be held at All Hallows Convent at Ditchingham in South Norfolk.
Each course, on January 27, March 10 and May 12, will run from 10.30am to 4pm, and will be divided into three main sessions, with breaks for refreshments. There will also be a break at midday to allow for a lunch break and time for reflection in the Convent grounds.
The Early Church period (c.100–500 AD) saw the clarification and formulation of the essential Christian doctrines accepted by all mainstream churches today.
But besides being occupied with doctrinal issues, the leading figures of the Church of the time were also engaged in taking the teaching passed on by the first apostles and working out its implications for the culture in which they found themselves.
The study of the events and people of the Early Church period is, therefore, not merely of academic interest, but can also provide inspiration for us in the continuing task of wrestling with the message of Christ in contemporary society.
The three courses on offer in 2007 each focus on one of the important 4th century “Cappadocian Fathers” (St Basil the Great, St Gregory of Nazianzus, and St Gregory of Nyssa). The 4th century was an important time in Church history, with the doctrine of the Trinity being hammered out amidst heated debate and controversy.
The Cappadocian Fathers had a key place in shaping and defending the Christian concept of God as Trinity and these courses will provide an accessible introduction to their lives and work, as well as an insight into the individual personalities which lie behind their seemingly austere representations in icons!
Selections from the extensive writings of each author will be provided for use as a contemplative focus - the aim being to help you connect with, rather than just learn about, the ideas of these key Early Church figures.
All Hallows Convent is the mother house of the Community of All Hallows, an Anglican order of nuns. As well as hosting the early church courses the Community runs retreat houses at Ditchingham and in Norwich; St Gabriel’s Conference Centre and Ditchingham Day Nursery as well as All Hallows Nursing Home in Bungay and All Hallows Hospital in Ditchingham.
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