Open Learning at Trinity commended

27 June 2009

Trinity's new Open Learning programme was commended by the former Archibshop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, during Trinity's summer programme.  Speaking on 25 June to alumni and friends gathered for the college summer event, Lord Carey encouraged churches to equip their members for ministry and mission through using the Open Learning resources. 

During the Annual General Meeting of the Trinity Association, the ongoing partnership between Trinity and ICES (Interactive Christian Extension Studies), the originator of the courses, was formalized. Mrs Gay Carpenter, a former Open Learning student and now an ICES tutor, testified to the significance of the ICES course in transforming her life and the lives of many others (see below).

Trinity College is working with ICES to produce courses that are tailor-made for their purposes and is offering open learning courses from September 2009.

Lord Carey was Principal of Trintuy College from 1982 to 1987. He and his wife Eileen returned to Trinity to speak at our summer programme Church with a Future and a Hope.

  I studied six biblical courses over nearly four years, home study and fortnightly tutorials, and it changed my life. Each module was like a new box of treasure. I learnt how the Old Testament - Christ's Bible after all - belonged with the New. I studied passages in context and learnt how to apply their teaching to my own life.
Just as marvellous as the study was the close fellowship that developed among us as we discussed what we'd studied, and the deepening respect as we were challenged by each other's different views.
When I finished the course, I wondered what the Lord wanted me to do next. his answer came when Mike Butterworth said, as I received my Certificate from him, ‘Well, off you go and tutor a group.' When I'd got over the terrible feelings of inadequacy, I stuck a little ad in our Diocesan magazine as my own church wasn't interested in forming a group, and began to think maybe the Lord had something else in mind. Imagine my horror when 65 people responded! Suddenly a one-way ticket to Outer Mongolia seemed the most desirable thing to have! Out of those enquirers, 24 decided to do the course, so I had to run three groups, and not the cosy little group of five or six I'd had in mind.
That was 17 years ago. Why am I still an ICES tutor? Quite often the people who come are low in self esteem, have little or no biblical knowledge and have never looked at what they believe and why. This also goes for many of the would-be ordinands and readers who are recommended to join an ICES group. I love seeing them begin to enjoy the close respectful fellowship, where differing opinions are valued, get excited by the Bible (yes, even Leviticus!) learn how to interpret and apply it, and find the particular ministry God is calling them to.
Gay Carpenter, Open Learning tutor