Facilitation
“A facilitator is the man or woman who performs this liberating task (helping persons to make manifest the potential treasure that lies hidden in almost every small group) and, if he or she does the job well, the members of the group will indeed feel deeply, think deeply and, in some instances, be inspired to discover new ways of being and relating. Mark Davis is such a skilled facilitator…”
(Brian Thorne, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of East Anglia,
Chairman, Bishop’s Council, Anglican Diocese of Norwich)
Training
“The facilitator training has proved immensely useful in other organisations and my working life. People say they have noticed the difference!”
“I thought I could not be myself in groups, but the facilitator training course has given me confidence to ‘let go and let God’; it blessed me with a new way of listening and being in friendship.”
“The training goes beyond learning new skills and faith sharing; it is explorative challenging and enriching the way I have faith and, indeed my whole outlook on life”.
“I have loved the course, each session was a blessing and I’ve met some amazing, open and honest people. Thank you for this opportunity.”
(Comments from Course Participants)
Liverpool R C Archdiocese
“The Shoreline Consultancy has identified a real need in the local parish – a place where people can safely meet and share their searching and questioning. But more than this, through the experience and sensitive expertise of its consultants, it can help parishioners from all backgrounds come together and positively move forward in a way that gives them a sense of achievement and a confidence in their vocation as lay people in the church and in the world. I wholeheartedly commend them to you”
Fr. Philip Inch (Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation)
Northampton R C Diocese
“Key to the successful progress of our Pastoral Development Plan, entitled ‘Walking Humbly with Our God’, has been the part played by Mark Davis. As facilitator, Mark has listened sensitively to priests and people, and to the bishop! He has helped us to reflect prayerfully and theologically about the life and mission of the Church in the Diocese of Northampton. He has prompted us to look beyond ourselves and to seek new opportunities to live the Faith and preach the Gospel. As this work takes shape in our parishes and pastoral areas, Mark continues to support and encourage us.”
Rt. Rev. Peter Doyle (Bishop of Northampton)
“I am very happy to recommend ‘The Shoreline Consultancy’ to religious congregations. Mark Davis facilitated our Provincial Chapter in 2002 and since then has been helping us to develop new approaches to collaboration with our lay associates. This has involved doing comprehensive research and providing appropriate training. We have found Mark to be insightful, thorough and efficient. He has both a good understanding and a deep appreciation of the value of religious life and relates well with our members”
Fr. Philip Mc Parland OCD
Franciscans OFM (Ireland)
“Having had him facilitate our Provincial Chapter three years ago, we’ve asked Mark to return this year. He has an ability to create spaces where people can speak deeply and listen respectfully – sacred conversations took the place of debate at our Chapter.”
Caoimhín Ó Laoide OFM
Minister Provincial, OFM Irish Province
Franciscans OFM (Great Britain)
“In trying to see a way ahead for our Province of Franciscan Friars, I found Mark to be very helpful. In this time when religious face a very uncertain future, he helped us have a reasonable conversation about our future without the whole matter being driven by anxiety. He showed a genuine interest in the contribution we believe Franciscans can make the Church and society in general and his facilitation clarified ways of in which we might take this contribution forward.”
Michael Copps OFM
Minister Provincial, OFM British Province
‘Missionaries of the Sacred Heart’ (English Region)
“Mark very quickly had our group feeling at ease with him and with one another. In an atmosphere of mutual trust he helped us engage with our agenda in a conversational style. The group felt it was one of our best experiences of being and working together and that the three days were extremely worthwhile, both in terms of having done the work we needed to do, but also in having accomplished it in a manner that was life-giving, engaging, adult and honest.”
Carl Tranter MSC
Church Schools
“The Christian Brothers Schools in England and Ireland have benefited from the expertise of ‘The Shoreline Consultancy’ in a number of ways in recent years. They have provided strategic consultation, curriculum guidance, advice and training, particularly in the area of spirituality and school ethos. What has been offered (in the provision of INSET, retreat experiences and consultation) has been well researched, planned and professionally delivered. I am happy to recommend it as a valuable resource for Church schools.”
Philip Sweeney
Christian Brothers Schools Education Officer
Religious Orders
“Mark has gained an extraordinary insight and awareness of the transformative power of the charism of Religious Congregations – something that became clear to me as I worked with him at a time when the Christian Brothers in England were transferring the leadership of their schools to lay staff and governors. His appreciation of the particular spirit of these schools led him to joint authorship of an innovative working document: ‘The Eight Essentials of Christian Brother Education’. This and its partner document, ‘A Way Forward’ remain the touchstone for this family of schools in their on-going task of ensuring that their whole-school development planning which remains consistent with the founding ethos so vital to each school’s growth and development.”
Rev. Br. Francis Hall CFC
General Council of the Christian Brothers