Awards for Open Learning students
20 July 2010
Four people received Open Learning/ICES* certificates in a church service in Hertfordshire on Wednesday 14 July. They had all qualified by completing six Open Learning courses.
The ceremony, held at St Martin's Church Preston (in the photo), was led by the vicar, Revd Elizabeth Bunker, who is herself a former ICES student. The Trinity principal, Canon George Kovoor, encouraged people to follow Jesus as his disciples and to recognise his call on their lives. Current and graduating students led the prayers and Bible readings.
The four people (from two different tutor groups) spoke about the way they had learnt more about the Bible through doing the courses. In Alison Jackson's case, the course had helped her to learn what God wanted her to do: she is now applying for ordination in pioneer ministry.
The certificates were given by Revd Dr Mike Butterworth (small photo), who devised the original courses. He was presented with a gift from students and tutors to thank him for his leadership of ICES over many years.
Open Learning at Trinity involves self-study courses backed up local small group tutorials. Open Learnng aims to resource local churches for mission and ministry by providing courses in Bible and Christian theology. The programme is developing, with new courses being developed and new groups starting.
*Trinity's Open Learning courses developed from ICES (Interactive Christian Extension Studies) courses.