Westcott given resounding 'Confidence' in Inspection Report

In the same month when the Church of England General Synod will discuss the next phase of a radical change in the formation of those training for ministry, Westcott House has received an unprecedented level of confidence in a Ministry Council Inspection Report, published today (3 February).

The Inspectors, who visited Westcott for a week in November, praised the "generous and open" and "supportive and well integrated" community of "able and gifted ordinands and impressive staff".

The Inspectors commended in particular:

• the national leadership shown in the area of the formation of potential theological educators
• excellent training in pastoral care and practical theology, including the Manchester urban ministry placement programme which stretches ordinands in both understanding and skills
• the high standard of corporate worship and opportunities for spiritual growth
• attention to working in groups and preparing for collaboration in ministry
• a growing number of ethnic minority students "who clearly have a voice and an assured place in the House"

The Principal, Canon Martin Seeley today said,

"The Inspectors have declared overall confidence in Westcott House. Their report expresses confidence in 15 out of 16 inspection criteria. This is an unprecedented level of commendation for a residential theological college. Westcott House is, and will continue to be, a creative and diverse community where people can learn and study for Anglican ministry in the 21st century. We will engage positively with the Ministry Council's report on Formation for Ministry and the new framework for HE Validation, which is to be discussed at the General Synod on Thursday 9 February. We will also seek to build on the firm foundations of Westcott's relationship with the University of Cambridge, which the Inspectors identified as a particular strength of the House."

The University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, said,

"I am delighted with this Report. It underlines the essential relationship between the University of Cambridge and Westcott House, and with all of the Cambridge Theological Federation, not just for the unparalleled opportunities for training future theological educators but because our partnership provides future parish priests with the resources to serve in the most demanding situations in this country and overseas through rapidly changing times."

The Bishop of Leicester and Chair of the Westcott Council, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, said,

"I am delighted that the Inspectors endorsed the emphasis of Westcott on the value of learning in community through the attention to formation in 'holiness, wisdom and compassion'. They also recognised the House's self-understanding as a 'community of differences' and saw this as providing a context for 'mutual understanding, respect and sensitivity'. All of this has been undergirded by the House's membership of the ecumenical Cambridge Theological Federation and by Westcott's well-developed range of overseas links which means that training takes place in a 'context that has an imaginative grasp of the world Church'."

The full report can be seen on-line at :

Muslim College students visit Westcott

On Tuesday 29 November a group of eight students from the Cambridge Muslim College visited Westcott. The students are preparing to become Imams, teachers or community leaders. As well as visiting Westcott to meet with ordinands for a discussion on how Christians and Muslims prepare for leadership in their communities, they were taken on a tour of Cambridge which included visits to a number of college chapels, and had an opportunity to visit Ridley Hall. The day concluded with a visit to the synagogue in Cambridge.

Westcott celebrates Thanksgiving

On Thursday 24 November Westcott celebrated Thanksgiving with a dinner arranged by our American students. Westcott has many American connections, including a valued partnership with Yale Divinity School. Each year we welcome a number of Yale students to Cambridge as part of an exchange programme, and Westcott students also have the opportunity to spend time in the US.

Riots debated at Westcott House

On Monday 14 November, Westcott House brought together five Church leaders from different parts of the country who had been on the 'front line' during this summer's riots, to reflect with ordinands on lessons for the Church’s engagement in urban communities.

Guests included: Rob Wickham, Rector of St John at Hackney; Andrew Moughtin-Mumby, Rector of St Peter’s Walworth; Louise Codrington-Marshall, Priest in Charge at St Nicholas and St Luke, Deptford; Edmund Newey, Vicar of Handsworth, Birmingham; and Helen Gatenby, manager of the M13 Youth Project in Manchester.

All five emphasised the importance of the Church being present in inner city communities, and to be confident and engaged as agents of hope. As one participant said, "The riots were frightening but God gives us the tools to deal with what we face." Another spoke about the important role the Church has in the spiritual formation of people, reflecting that "... everyday holiness can make a difference in the lives of communities."

Westcott / Ridley Football Match

On Tuesday 1 November the friendly rivalry between Westcott and Ridley was played out during a football match held at the Gonville & Caius College sports ground. In beautiful mid-autumn sunshine the two teams battled for supremacy, but early injuries plagued Westcott and 30 minutes in they were 3-0 down. The second half saw a tenacious display from the Westcott team but despite getting a goal back and battling against the odds Westcott could not turn around the deficit. The end result saw Ridley come out as deserved winners after what was a hard fought and passionate match.

Westcott's Sports Co-ordinator, James Hughesdon, said afterwards "The team knew this was going to be a tough game and everyone put body, mind and soul into it, but sadly after going behind early on we couldn't quite turn things around. We’re certainly looking forward to the rematch!"

Well done to all those who played, on both teams - we look forward with great anticipation to the next installment.

Announcing two Westcott House conferences for 2012

Preaching Summer School 2-5 July 2012 with Bill Brosend, Mark Oakley, Ellen Wakeham and Martin Seeley

Westcott House is organising this event in conjunction with the Episcopal Preaching Foundation and the School of Theology, University of the South (Sewanee). This will be a chance to refresh your preaching through exploring different approaches and styles, with opportunities to practice with peers. We will particularly consider what it is that makes Anglican preaching distinctive. The conference will be limited to 30 participants, plus twelve from the Sewanee D.Min. preaching programme. Click here for more information about the Summer School.

A Vision of Priesthood for the Church of England 4-6 September 2012

The 20th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood provides us with an ideal opportunity to think more deeply and constructively about the nature of priesthood in the Church of England, which is not simply a recipient of the ecclesiology of others, but also has significant insights to offer. We also believe it is important to re-envisage priesthood as not only for the church but also for the world. Therefore we hope this conference will provide a long overdue opportunity to offer a renewed articulation of the vision of priesthood that is not captive to recent ecclesial controversies and that takes into account the challenges of the present moment in our world.

For further information please e-mail general-enquiries@westcott.cam.ac.uk

Westcott Seminar series launched

Westcott House has started a new series of seminars on Monday afternoons in full term. The programme has been put together by the Tutor in Doctrine, the Revd Dr Andrew Davison, and includes talks on theology and ministry interleaved with classes with a practical emphasis, this year focusing on adult education. All are very welcome to attend. For further information, contact Andrew Davison.

Open Day Saturday 29 October

An Open Day for prospective students and their families at Westcott was held on Saturday 29 October. We welcomed a total of 31 guests who spent the day learning more about Westcott and the House’s community life, and the academic pathways on offer. The day also afforded the opportunity for partners of prospective ordinands to meet with current partners, and the chance to worship together.

There will be a second Open Day taking place on Saturday 11 February 2012. For information, or to book a place, contact Mrs Marie Bull, Admissions Officer, on 01223 741001 or e-mail mb687@cam.ac.uk.

The new academic year begins

The new academic year got underway at Westcott this weekend. On Sunday 25 September a service of welcome was held followed by a buffet supper. On Monday 26 September, one of the first sessions of the induction programme looked at the ‘Westcott Community’, during which students had fun being ‘sorted’ according to their geographical and church roots. "It was particularly interesting to see physically represented how many of our students come from a non-Anglican background," said the Principal, Martin Seeley. "This showed a richness in the range of experiences our students will be bringing to Westcott, and also served to illustrate the need for patience and understanding of each other’s backgrounds and traditions."

Midsummer Garden Party

The now annual Summer Garden Party took place this year on Midsummer's Day. Around 100 ordinands, staff, alumni and friends gathered on the terrace in the warm sunshine before moving to the Chapel for a talk and lively discussion on the subject of "Seeking the common good". The speaker was Professor Philip Sheldrake, formerly a member of Westcott's staff in the 1990s and now Senior Research Fellow. Tea and cakes in the garden followed with lively conversation between old and new acquaintances, and the day ended with Evensong and supper.

SAVE THE DATE

The garden party in 2012 will be on Tuesday 19 June.