Y9 Assessment 3: Life in the Spirit

Image courtesy of Propaganda for Change blog from a BHA campaign

Task: 

Secular humanists, who do not believe in God, frequently wish to identify God as the problem. Use your knowledge of the gifts of God’s Spirit to write a letter as a Christian to the British Humanist Association to explain that ‘God is not the problem in the world but a gift to be discovered’. 

Think about the following to help you write the article:

• Describe and show understanding of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. [L4] 
• Explain how the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit relate to everyday life. [L5] 
• Analyse the consequences of this for different people. Show understanding of the secular humanists’ view. [L6] 
• Give your own opinion, carefully backed up with evidence. Consider another opinion and explain why you disagree with it. [L7]

Humanism is a philosophical and ethical belief that emphasises the value of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism, empiricism) over faith.

We work on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical lives on the basis of reason and humanity. We promote Humanism, a secular state, and equal treatment of everyone regardless of religion or belief. Our celebrants provide non-religious funeral, wedding, and naming ceremonies.

https://humanism.org.uk

Why is a religion seen as a 'problem'?

• Things reduced to "faith" and "religious mystery" rather than rational thought.
• Religion as a cause for evil and suffering... oppression of groups within society.
• Can stop clear scientific thought and investigation.
• No God is a simpler explanation! 

This is a complicated essay on it: https://humanism.org.uk/about/humanist-philosophers/faq/whats-so-wrong-with-faith/ [Level 8]

BHA Campaigns:

 

Do religions not cause problems in society?

 

 

Can religions not help in society?

Y9 Assessment 2 (2015 onwards): Greed

Image courtesy of the Daily Mail

Your second assessment focus on the Gospel messages related to greed and wealth.

“A few peoples’ greed leaves millions in need.”

Write a feature article for the Financial Times with this headline.

Think about the following to help you write the article:
Describe and show understanding of Christian teaching on greed and helping those in need including quotes and references to scripture. [L4]
Explain what Jesus asks of all Christians and demonstrate different responses to this. [L5]
Analyse the consequences of these responses for different people. [L6]
Give your own opinion, carefully backed up with evidence. Consider another opinion and explain why you disagree with it. [L7]

Useful Bible passages

• Luke 06:24-25 (woe to rich & fed)
• Luke 12:15-21 (rich fool parable)
• Luke 16:19-31 (rich man & lazarus)
• Mark 10:23-24 / Luke 18:24-25 (camel & needle)
• Matt 06:19-21 (treasures in heaven)
• Matt 06:24 / Luke 16:13 (god & money)

Bible Quotes on greed <here>

These may also be useful

• A Poor Pope: Is it Possible?
• Priests and Nuns Should Drive Humble Cars!

Remember to select the ones you think you can explain and show that you understand

Y9 Vlogging Task

Y9, you are going to attempt to create a vlog of a secret Catholic during the Reformation. You need to record a series of short videos to document the events of the Reformation in England. It can be different people doing each clip.

Some things you may want to include:

• Rumours of change, protest and reform in Europe including Martin Luther and John Calvin (1517-1520)
• Henry VIII and his jealousy of the Catholic Church (1520ish onwards)
• Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon (1533)
• New Laws (forcing everyone to acknowledge his divorce and remarriage) (1534)
• Thomas More and his fate (1535)
• Henry VIII and the monasteries (1536-1541)
• The future…?

In your group, you may want to split it up and do one bit each. Will you be able to communicate during the half term? Who will put it together? How will you share big files (GoogleDrive/ DropBox?)? Who will put it together? How will they put it together (MovieMaker/ iMovie?)?

Some vlogging tips:

Video Resources:

• Why was religion so important to Tudor people? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/why-was-religion-so-important-to-tudor-people/162.html
• Henry VII and Catherine of Aragon - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/catherine-of-aragon-and-henry-viii-pt-1-2/8961.html and http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/catherine-of-aragon-and-henry-viii-pt-2-2/8962.html
• Henry VIII’s motives for his break with Rome - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/henry-viiis-motives-for-his-break-with-rome/163.html
• Why did Henry VIII dissolve the monasteries? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/why-did-henry-viii-dissolve-the-monasteries/165.html

Download Worksheet: <here>

9L - Due in 13th November 2013

Y9: Assessment 1 - Pilgrimage

Your first Y9 Assessment is focused on places of Christian pilgrimage. You must pick one place to really focus on; it must be detailed information that shows you really understand the place in the context of pilgrimage.

You may want to present it like a straightforward project book, or some people have chose to make PowerPoints, websites or even videos!

A popular choice is to present it like an advertisement for the place allowing space to fully explain why it is important and why it is a significant place of pilgrimage.

To aim for L6 and above it is necessary to think creatively! Perhaps include an interview with a person to allow for a description of the life changing effects?

Places you may want to choose:

1.Taize, France
2. St Michael’s Tower, Glastonbury, UK
3. Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
4. Vatican City / Rome
5. Slipper Chapel, Walsingham UK
6. St James Cathedral, Compostela (Santiago de Compostela), Spain
7. Medjugorje, Croatia
8. Knock, Ireland
9. Lourdes, France
10. Fatima, Portugal

Thing about:

• What do pilgrims do and see there?
• Why it is an important place of pilgrimage?
• How did it become a place of pilgrimage?
• What effects can a pilgrim expect?
• How will a pilgrimage effect their every day lives?
• How do people get there?
• Where do people stay?
• What does it look like (pictures)?
• Where exactly is it (map)?

Download 'Green' Sheet

Y9 Assessment 2: The Messiah

Download Success Criteria Sheet
Download Mr Lewis' PowerPoints

 

Key Questions:

1) Describe the Jewish expectiations of the Messiah?

2) Did Jesus fulfil these expectations?

 

How can I present this?

• Essay: 2-3 sides
• Booklet
• Factfile
• PowerPoint

Where can I find information?

• Notes in exercise book
• Bible
• Y9 Textbook (in class – copy also available in school library)
• Internet – be careful! (Maybe search for Messiah GCSE)

Possible things to consider including:

• Jewish expectations of the Messiah.
• OT prophecy about Messiah.
• Matthew trying to prove Jesus was Messiah.
• The Messianic Secret (What did Jesus want to keep a secret? Why?).
• Events at Caesarea Philippi (Significance?).
• The Son of Man (Where from? Why chosen?).
• Misunderstandings (from the disciples).
• Jesus the Messiah, key facts/overview.

Weblinks:

• GCSE Notes
• Jesus the Messiah worksheet
• BBC on Jesus
• Jewish View on Jesus
• Why Don't Jews beleive in Jesus?
• Traits of the promised Messiah in the Old Testament (first bit has useful facts, second part is too detailed)
• How do we know Jesus is the Messiah?

Reflection: Chris Tomlin - Jesus Messiah

Unexpected Nativity: "Brilliant. They won't be expecting that!"

Continuing with a series of blog posts on Christmas, after retelling of the story via social networks (see here) and the Pope's comments on the accuracy of nativity scenes (see here), today we look at the 'Unexpected Christmas'.

This incredibly cute video has been produced by a church group in New Zealand. The children in it play a whole variety of roles, with my favorite being the little boy who keeps saying, "Brilliant. They won't be expecting that!".

He illustrates a key point about Jesus' arrival and the Jewish expectations of the Messiah; He really wasn't the warrior king they were hoping for!

St Paul Church's in New Zealand have produced a series of these videos over the last few years which are worth a watch over the Christmas period:

What do you think of these videos? Do they convey the true message in a fun and accessible way? Is it simply an online version of the classic school nativity play? How do you remember learning the story as a young child?

Muslim Heroes: A Response to Islamophobia

Too often the image of Islam we get from the press is a series of labels. Negative labels.

Saud Inam, founder and executive director, started Muslim Heroes as a blog in response to rising Islamophobia in New York in a post-9/11 world. He found that Muslim were having to give constant explanations of who they were not, rather than who they were.

As such, he started www.muslimheroes.org to answer the question “If Muslims are not terrorists, who are they?”

Inman wanted to focus and highlight the inspirational work and contributions of ordinary Muslims from diverse backgrounds. He firmly believes that the average person can make a great difference in the community.

Islamophobia is a problem in the UK too. Would a blog help promote the good work of Muslims here? Is other more visible work needed to help change the image of Islam to some members of the public?

Read original article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/faith-inspires-muslim-heroes_n_1652743.html

The World's Religions

This is too big to fit on screen.... but I have found it fascinating and a good half an hours reading! If you want a higher resolution copy, there is an download here: http://nationalpostlife.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/fo0324_religion2.pdf

It was created by the National Post in response to the world's largest gathering of athesits in Washington in March 2012. Read more here.

Y9 Exam Revision

Y9 - Exam contains material up to and including Unit 2D (not Islam):
http://www.recuthies.co.uk/Y9%20Zone.htm

There is lots of different resources hosted by the Cuthies website to help you with your revision - good luck!

Exams begin Monday 12th May!

Y9 Assessment 3: Life After Death

“If the Church believes in life after death, surely a funeral should be a joyful occasion.” Discuss this statement.

 

Mr Lewis' Essay Plan:
1. Introduction
–What do Christians believe?
–What happens at a funeral?
2. Agree – Some people would agree with this statement (funerals should be joyful) because…
3. Disagree – Some people would disagree with this statement (funerals should NOT be joyful)because…
4. Conclusion – After careful reflection, I think…


Download a copy of the Green instruction sheet <here>

 

Useful Links:

• What does the Bible say about Heaven? - http://www.bible.ca/su-heaven.htm
• The Catholic Funeral - http://www.facingbereavement.co.uk/catholic-funeral.html
• Christian Beleifs About Life After Death - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/chbeliefrev1.shtml
• Christian Death Rites - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/death/chdeathritesrev1.shtml
• Funerals: Joyful or Depressed? - http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=1711&grupo=Lifestyle&canal=Relationships

If you find any other good links, please add them in the comments box!

PowerPoint Slides:

CS Lewis on Love

Best know for writing the Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis is also well known as a Christian writier. His wisdom and reflection on the Christian messages are often inspirational, paticually those on love.

"In a world of smart phones, text messages, Facebook, and e-dating, many are creating virtual relationships which mask a person’s true identity in an attempt to protect themselves from the reality of real relationship.

They want to avoid the possible heartache and pain that can occur when love is not reciprocated. Others fill their lives with work, recreation or entertainment in an attempt to avoid deep relationships. And yet, as we attempt to protect ourselves, we become less human, and wander farther from the Creator’s purpose for our lives which is to love both God and neighbor as ourselves."

In his book The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis writes:

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket – safe, dark, motionless, airless – it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.

I believe that the most lawless and inordinate loves are less contrary to God’s will than a self-invited and self-protective lovelessness. It is like hiding the talent in a napkin and for much the same reason ‘I knew thee that thou wert a hard man.’ Christ did not teach and suffer that we might become, even in the natural loves, more careful of our own happiness. If a man is not uncalculating towards the earthly beloveds whom he has seen, he is none the more likely to be so towards God whom he has not. We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armour. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as the way in which they should break, so be it."As we look at the relationships in our own lives we might ask the following questions. Am I holding back my love toward God and others out of the fear of being wounded in the fray? If so, am I willing to begin to trust God with my life and open up the gateways to my heart so that I can both give and receive love as God intended me to do?"

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.

Article orginally found here: http://good-report.com/5479/c-s-lewis-institute-reflections-from-the-four-loves

Do you agree with CS Lewis' view on love? Does allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open to hurt make us closer to God?

1 John 4:18-19

#Flame2012 Conference

Last Saturday, up to 8000 young people headed to Wembley Arena for one of the largest events for young Catholics they UK has ever seen; it promised "an event to ignite young hearts and souls afresh with the joy of the Gospel message."

On the evidence I saw, it certainly delivered.

Personal highlights for me included seeing Brentwood's very own Pascal Uche MCing the event, lots of familiar faces in the Glee mash-up, the testimonies of Stef Reid (see here- http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=20108) and Debbie Flood, seeing lots of old friends, spending time (and charging my phone!) with the CAFOD team, The Mizen family as well as Adoration and Benediction to end the day. A great job of putting it all together by (again) Brentwood's Fr Dominic Howath.

Those who didn't take up the invite to come really missed out! As CYMFed put up some videos, I'll put up a new blog to share some more of the event with you all.

Another star of Brentwood Diocese, Edwin Fawcett wrote this for the Conference. Check out his site: www.EdwinFawcett.com


Read about it here:

The Herald - http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/03/26/thousands-kneel-in-adoration-at-wembley/
The Tablet - http://www.thetablet.co.uk/latest-news/3969
Catholic News - http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/News-Releases/Archbishop-tells-Youth-Listen-to-the-call-of-the-Lord
ICN - http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=20100
ICN #2 - http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=20107
ICN #3 - http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=20102
CAFOD Brentwood - http://cafodbrentwood.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/flame-congress-2012/
Salesian News - http://salesiannews.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/fanning-the-spirit-into-a-flame/
CYW - http://www.catholicyouthwork.com/index.php?page=833
CAFOD Blog - http://blog.cafod.org.uk/2012/03/26/great-generation-editor-of-the-month-the-flame-congress/
Links complied by Jack Regan at his excellent site CatholicYouthWork.com - see original article here: http://www.catholicyouthwork.com/index.php?topic=711.0

Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS)

Following on from today's assemblies and talks to various classes, please find some links to forthcoming BYCS events. SHoM students can speak to myself or Cleo for more information:

Flame Conference - http://www.cymfed.org/congress/flame/2012

Spring Youth Gather (Y7-9) - http://bcys.net/events/youth-gather/spring/

Monthly Youth Mass - Every first Wednesday of the month at the conference centre behind Brentwood Cathedral. All welcome!
For more info see: http://bcys.net/