Interactive Christian Extension Studies

Interactive Christian Extension Studies (ICES) provides demanding but approachable study of essential Christian topics. The study method is founded on two very important pillars: You study on your own using specially prepared interactive study texts and you interact with a tutor plus a group (the best way) or you have a tutor appointed by ICES who will be in touch by phone and/or letter and/or email. Click here for Latest News

The advantages of the two pillars are:
Home study with specially prepared study texts provides:
> A way into serious, first-hand study
> Focused, relevant feedback to give confidence
> A check whether material has been properly understood or not
> The chance to note points of disagreement or of further interest
> An effective way to learn the discipline of regular study
> The opportunity to be able to join an ordination course souped-up and ready to go

The tutorial provides a place for students to:
> Discover that others are similar to them in feeling vulnerable, anxious about their ability to study
> Express their ideas in their own words – try them out on others – safely
> Share personal experience and learn from it
> Form strong relationships with other Christians
> Grow in confidence and trust their own judgments
> Plan and work together on the basis of their theological thinking

For details of the courses available, click on "Available Modules"

ICES Lite
We now have the revised version of our less demanding course, Snapshots from the Life of Christ. It's intended for those who want to build a firm foundation for their faith but have limited time available. It consists of an introductory session and seven further studies, offering:

a survey of the life of Christ in the Gospel of St Matthew;
more detailed study of selected passages;
a sound method of interpreting and applying the teaching of the Gospels for today.

So we hope to convey:

An outline of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ based mostly on Matthew's Gospel.
A sound method of interpreting and applying the teaching of the Gospels to our own situation

This is a great opportunity for churches or house groups that want to begin some significant study without too many demands. It also gives the opportunity for you try out an ICES course. You never know, you may become hooked and want to join one of our other courses.

You can download the text (and URLs for the pictures) free of charge:CLICK HERE.

Another Bible Study Resource

Mike Butterworth's Understanding Old Testament History (published by Bible Society; out of print in the shops) is available from us at the cost of postage and packing only. It has eight sessions and deals with the contents of Joshua to Kings and outlines a method for studying the historical books further.
Cost (within the UK): 1-2 copies - £1-80; 3-4 copies - £2-35; 5-6 copies - £2-85; 7-8 copies - £3-45; 9-10 copies - £4-65. Contact us for details of the cost of posting overseas.

Latest News
Partnership with Trinity College, Bristol

ICES and Trinity Partnership: It’s official:
Trinity and ICES have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. It took place at Trinity’s AGM along with the official launch of Trinity College Open Learning on Thursday 25th June 2009, after Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury, had given a commendation and prayed for the partnership.

Gay Carpenter spoke of how she had been transformed from clueless church attender to OHEC student to OHEC/ICES tutor. She has tutored two or three groups at a time for the past 17 years.

We have already had many enquiries about studying with ICES or starting a new group. Trinity’s Open Learning expects to offer a whole range of courses from house group level (committed house group!) to Master’s degree. From September we will be experimenting with online delivery.

Trinity College is planning significant expansion over the next few years in both ordination and lay training. As well as revising our existing courses, ICES will be working with Trinity to produce new courses. Trinity College will be offering ICES courses from September 2009. Trinity College will also be offering the resources of its faculty in revision of ICES courses. For more details please follow this LINK

We do not see any conflict arising since the vision of both ICES and Trinity is completely compatible. Two New Testament phrases express our central concern quite neatly:

Staff of Trinity and ICES
David Ball is now a full time staff member of Trinity College, Bristol with responsibility for developing their Open Learning. This includes developing ICES modules which are already and will be part of Trinity’s open learning programme.

Mike Butterworth continues (despite his great age) to be Principal of ICES and has also been designated associate Staff Member and Adviser for Open Learning for Trinity College, Bristol.

Coming Events
Deanery Presentation
ICES will be giving presentations at the following Deanery meeting:

Barnet Deanery at St Margaret's Church, Ridge on Wednesday July 8th 2009 at 8:00 p.m. Graduation Service
This Year's Graduation/Award Service will be held in Bedfordshire for the first time at:

All Welcome: Followed by an ICES party
RSVP: Rev Lynda Klimas Tel: 01234 83 84 31 or e-mail: rev.l.klimas@btopenworld.com

Taster Day and Tutor Training: Change of Date: 26th September 2009
We are arranging a full day of events on Saturday 26th September 2009 (Previously advertised as 3rd October) at Trinity College Bristol:

Contact: David Ball: 01494 52 40 27
Mike Butterworth 01296 48 11 54
admin@ices.uk.net

Other News
Berkhamstead Deanery Synod
We received a warm welcome at the Berkhamstead Deanery Synod at St Mary's Northchurch on Monday June 15th 2009 where Mike Butterworth introduced the work of ICES. The presentation included a sample lesson on Old Testament parables from Historical Books of the Old Testament. Discussion groups were led by Mike, David Ball, Gay Carpenter and Charmaine Sabey-Corkindale.

ICES/OHEC Reunion
Almost 50 people attended our reunion of ICES/OHEC students and tutors on Saturday 30 May 2009 at St Stephen’s Church, St Albans. David Wenham, the Vice-Principal of Trinity College, Bristol led the morning session on "Relevant Theology. You must be Joking!" highlighting the importance of good relevant theology from the life of St Paul. After lunch, Mike Butterworth and David Ball provoked discussion with a joint presentation on "Samson and Stephen: Suicide or Martyrdom?" For further information, follow this LINK.

First Group in the US
An ICES group started in Georgetown, South Carolina, in mid-January. They have already completed their first course on the Synoptic Gospels and Acts and are now moving onto study The Historical Books of the Old Testament.

Other New Groups
A new group has started in Haldens, Welwyn Garden City, studying Snapshots from the Life of Christ and another is starting in Sutton-in-the-Isle, near Ely. They will be studying their first course on The Historical Books of the Old Testament in June.
Mike B

Worship CD
For details of a new worship CD recorded by Keith Beer, who worships at Broughton Community Church in Aylesbury, click HERE.

BELIEF

BELIEF (Bedford Ecumenical Lay Institute for Education and Faith) is a Christian education agency based in Bedford. It runs courses on a variety of topics and also offers consultancy services. For more details please follow this LINK.