Regional and associated groups
MODEM has links with a number of groups in the UK who share similar values and interests. These groups meet to enable individuals to exchange ideas and thoughts - authentic dialogue.
MODEM East Midlands
Based in Nottingham, MODEM-EM arranges a series of regular meetings. Formed in 1997, it was the brainchild of Revd Dr Norman Todd, a MODEM Trustee and former member of MODEM's Leadership Committee.
Norman Todd explains MODEM-EM’s origins. ‘Through the vicar of a central civic church, several managers were consulted and asked for help. They advised careful preparation over a realistic time scale of several months. One of them sold the idea to the local Technical and Enterprise Council (TEC), where we were offered hospitality. A list of everyone who might be interested, managers and ministers, was compiled and personal letters sent introducing MODEM and the advantages of a local group. There was also an invitation to the inaugural meeting with a good speaker and an interesting topic, managing change. The Suffragan Bishop agreed to chair the meeting. Over 40 attended and another 20 were interested. There were more managers than clergy. A small steering group was formed and met immediately. It prepared a progress report and arranged seminars. A summary of each seminar with notice of the next one is sent to all local members (and also in the regular MODEM mailings). Following a settling down period, there are more enthusiastic managers than ministers. There is still a liveliness and interest at the seminars. Dialogue between those who manage (largely secular) and those who minister (largely religious) is what MODEM seeks to promote, believing that there can be learning from good practice in both directions. Such dialogue is most effective in a local group where there can be regular meetings with continuity and friendship.’
Contact Norman Todd for further details.
MODEM West Midlands
Based in Pershore, Worcestershire. It aims to enable members to help one another in the ability to be leaders, and lead more effectively. The group first met in 2005. Contact Chris Mayfield for further details. The group meets at Holland House, Cropthrone, near Pershore.
The Spirituality in the Workplace Network
Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berkshire
The network was established in 2000 by Father Dermot Tredget, a Benedictine monk at Douai Abbey, and David Welbourn, an industrial chaplain. They both had an interest in Spirituality in the Workplace and knew of others who were interested. So they decided to invite them to an exploratory meeting to see if there was a desire for a network. There was, and since then the group has met at roughly 3-monthly intervals, all the time attracting new members. There are now some 70 names on the mailing list. The group meets at Douai Abbey, near Reading. Some members meet informally on the evening before the main meeting of the network, arriving in time for an evening meal and overnight stay. Others join for breakfast the next morning, and the rest arrive in time for the main meeting, which runs from 9.30 until 12.45. Most people then stay for lunch. The main meetings have consisted of study related to our subject, news-sharing, and a practical spiritual exercise. Members of the group regularly join the resident monks at their short time of prayer just before lunch.
The network is loosely associated with MODEM in the UK and the Association of Spirit at Work in the US. Members belong to one, both or neither of these organisations. For information about forthcoming meetings, please contact David Welbourn. You will need to book and receive confirmation through David to attend.
Spirit at Work in Bedfordshire Network
The network was founded by Keith Williams, Alan Harpham and Sue Howard in 2006. It meets quarterly at Bromham Baptist Church near Bedford.
The purpose of the network is to stimulate, equip and support individuals who have a desire to: - make work life better for individuals - create work communities which welcome the whole person - body, mind and spirit - engage their organisations in pursuing wider social and community objectives.
The network does this by providing a forum to exchange practical experience, opportunities, ideas, knowledge from wider research etc. For further information, contact Keith Williams.