Relationships of Reciprocal Learning

At the start of the year Fresh Expressions asked me to write a piece about sanctus1 for their newspaper, expressions. It's been published now, so here it is:

A few days ago my two-year old son came home from nursery and proudly told me that ‘J is for Jude’. I was surprised - we’d not started to teach him about words and letters so how did he know? He then told me that ‘C is for Curly Carol’, it all became clear - Carol is his key worker at nursery and had taught him these letters. My son was learning without me; there will be a time when he can teach me and a time when our relationship will be one of reciprocal learning.

The challenge now for Sanctus1 – a Fresh Expression in Manchester City Centre that has been established for six years – is to develop relationships of reciprocal learning both internally and externally. Relationships that move beyond the excitement of childhood, through the liminal period of adolescence and into an adult relationship of mutual respect and learning.

Over the last few years Sanctus1 has sought to do this externally by actively seeking a way in which we can be more fully involved in the life of the local Diocese and District. This has meant financially contributing to the Diocese, proactively working towards greater structural recognition and being positive advocates of Fresh Expressions in the local Diocese and District.

Internally Sanctus1 has established a number of teams and adopted a set of values. The teams aim to encourage indigenous members of Sanctus1 to take positions of responsibility within the community. We now have an elected planning team and an AGM where decisions are taken regarding the future direction of Sanctus1, the values affirmed and the relationship with the Churches is nurtured.

Some have found the development of structures antithetic to Sanctus1, preferring to remain in the exciting stage of childhood. The first word and the first step are momentous occasions, yet the challenge is to keep growing, walking, learning and developing, as childhood – whilst exciting and fun – is not a period of reciprocal learning. It is a time of dependence and of gentle nurture and, whilst this is vital in all forms of life, to remain in it would not only be frustrating for the parent but also damaging to the child.