The Diocese of Hereford's lent study courses have completely sold out in light of the fierce demand which has exceeded all expectations. The diocese has now put in a re-order to keep up with the demand.

The course, Something to Talk About, has been produced as an interactive DVD, the first time the diocese has produced such a thing. More copies have been rushed to the diocese as orders continue to flood in.

Rev Peter Massey said, "We thought with a hundred and twenty benefices, or groups of parishes, that would be fine but many groups are running more than one course so we have sold out."

The course comprises five sessions which are aimed at encouraging parishioners to feel comfortable talking about their faith.

'Something To Talk About' spreads over five weeks and is bringing groups of churchgoers together to think and share about the way they do and do not talk about their Christian faith.

The concept of 'Something to Talk About' grew out of the bishops' initiative to encourage more people from our churches to become confident in sharing their faith with others, said Rev Massey.

"The course is progressive over the five sessions and starts with learning listening skills, helping people to look at their own lives with its highs and lows, and from this looking at the life of Jesus," he said.

"We tested the course in two parishes and they really enjoyed it while helping us to tweak it for general use."

More than 80 people have already attended training sessions on how to lead a group using the material provided on the DVD which includes interviews, film footage and some fun discussion; it also includes all the written material that supplements the course.

The DVD has been compiled by Rev Peter Massey, Capt Norris Boyland, Children's Advisor for the Diocese and Anni Holden, Director of Communications.