Transforming

Conversation

Transforming

Conversation

Transforming Conversation is based on a belief that participating in intentional, facilitated conversation can be a transformative process. It offers a specific method and process but recognises that the skills and experiences it provides can have positive effects beyond the group settings it promotes.

It is a modern form of the ancient tradition of spiritual conversation and aims to encourage conversations about things that matter to people of any faith and belief, or none. It is rooted in the Christian tradition but seeks to engage in a way which is inclusive and equitable, offering a safe place to share and explore ideas and beliefs.

Vision

A community of inspired and confident people engaging in transformative
conversation about life, belief and faith.

The TC Community is open to everyone who wants to maintain a connection with Transforming Conversation and who has attended training or been involved with TC or its predecessor (Christian Communities in Conversation) or Shoreline (which was foundational in the setting up of CCiC).

Mission Statement

Support and assist people to engage in meaningful communication through the
facilitation of transformational conversation.

Aim:

To create, identify and cultivate communities of people able to graciously hear and
share widely different views that enable change and transformation.

Objectives:

Be a missional community that empowers and equips participants in using
transformative conversation in their own context.
Provide opportunities for ongoing training and continuing development in
transformational conversation and reflective practice.
Raise awareness to the benefits of transformational conversation.
Facilitate transformational conversation in a range of contexts.
Provide accessible and relevant resources linked to transformational conversation.
Support new and existing communities/groups through facilitating transformational
conversations.

Be kept informed

Our regular newsletter is the easiest way to stay up to date with the latest Transforming Conversation updates, providing information about Community of Practice Meetings, Gathering Days, Training Opportunities and other events. It also includes feedback from Conversation Groups, Facilitators and Coaches and highlights resource materials and links to other related initiatives.

Subscribe to the TC Newsletter

Spring Term Community Conversations

Wednesday 11th March

Mindfulness

Take time, experience things rather than rushing to the next and the next. Enjoy childish things to make your heart sing.

When was the last time you jumped waves or kicked leaves or something similar.

Come and experience an hour with us and maybe rediscover your inner child.

Please bring something edible with you to this conversation – about the size of a small square of chocolate, a sweet or a grape. Preferably something you like!!

All will be revealed in the community meeting!

Juanita

28th January – 11th March

Following on from the 1st Wellbeing community conversation. The remaining conversations will be:

Doing (28th Jan) – Completed
Learning (11th Feb)- Completed
Sharing (25th Feb)- Completed
Mindfulness (11th March)
Easter Reflection (25th March)

If you are a TC facilitator or someone who has experience of co-facilitating and would like to volunteer to facilitate one of these conversations, using the stimulus resources provided, please contact Ruth on training@transformingconversation.org

We look forward to this being an interesting series of conversations for 2026.

Bev

25th February

The conversation stimulus included The Feeding of the 5,000 by Eulania Clarke from the Methodist Modern Art Collection as well as a poem that illustrated how sharing positive feelings strengthens bonds and boosts well-being for both giver and receiver. We discussed how trust is central to sharing and for those without someone to share with, it can feel isolating.
Sharing thoughts can provide new perspectives so why not come and share the last of our series of wellbeing conversations on Mindfulness this week.

Julie
Ed. And thanks to Julie for great facilitation and Barbara for our on-the-day conversation summary.

Positive Working

Together

Growing Through Change and Conflict

We have an exciting offer in this week’s e-news for anyone interested in understanding how conflict develops and improving the skills needed to deal with it and, when possible, diffuse it. The Positive Working Together programme fits so well with the TC ethos we felt many of us might be interested in doing Growing Through Change and Conflict. It will be available on zoom but knowing how many of us hanker after another Gathering Day, we may be able to get 12 names interested in doing it in person. Please see below about getting your name on the list to join on zoom or in-person and why not consider inviting someone not involved with TC as well.

We have long recognised that good Listening Skills are one of the basic building blocks of good conversation and we have received a number of requests to offer help with these. So, our Training Officer, Ruth Hartley, is busily working away finalising 2 zoom sessions, which will be available in the next few weeks.

Our series of Community conversations on Wellbeing continue this week, looking at Doing. If you are a TC facilitator or someone who has experience of co-facilitating and would like to volunteer to facilitate one of these conversations, using the stimulus resources provided, please contact Ruth on training@transformingconversation.org

Finally, Ruth and I are attending the District Staff Retreat next week, so if you are part of the TC Community (ie in receipt of this e-news!) and are also attending, please do come and introduce yourselves as we don’t know all Community Members by sight yet.

Keep up the Conversations!

Bev
Transforming Conversation Enabler

It is that time of the year when the Steering Group is looking to recruit new members, so we thought it would be helpful to remind the Community about our role and activities.

What does the Steering Group do? Previously, the Steering Group was used to support the work of the wider project, acting as a sounding board for the Enabler & Training Officer. However, it has been decided to simplify the role of the Steering Group. In future, it will only take responsibility to plan and coordinate the Community Meetings, including finding facilitators, as needed. The Steering Group are also responsible for arranging and/or liaising with other members of the Community to organize the occasional Gathering Day.

The Steering Group is not responsible: for training new facilitators or doing outreach or promotional work.

Steering Group membership: The current SG consists of 3 volunteers – Chris Ware, Diane O’Neill and Juanita Joy, along with Ruth Hartley (Safeguarding) and Bev Smerdon (Enabler). Anyone who has a connection with TC can become a member of the Steering Group – You do not need to be a trained facilitator to be on the SG.

We meet on zoom every 2-3 months to review the community meetings and plan the themes and facilitators for the coming term. Meeting dates and times are arranged to be convenient to the members.

Why join the steering group? It’s not all business and planning, we have an optional, social gathering usually for a meal, once a term. This is a chance for us to meet in person, have a catch up and enjoy each other’s company. The Steering Group is more than just doing the organising – we have built a friendship that we welcome others to be part of!

Any questions or for more information, please email or speak to one of the SG members. Email contact via admin@transformingconversation.org

With thanks,
Steering Group

Click Here for More Information

Contact admin@swpmethodist.org.uk

Wellbeing Resources

District Wellbeing Officer Tracey Collins and Ruth have created a new conversation resource, based around the 5 pillars of wellbeing. These resources will be available early in the New Year.

If you are interested in finding out more about this series of conversations and how it could be used with a group in your Church or Community, please contact Ruth training@transformingconversation.org or Tracey on wellbeing@swpmethodist.org.uk

Visit the Transforming Conversation Website

District Resources

New Places for New People

Transforming Conversation