Bishop's Conferences 2012

SUMMER CONFERENCE

25-28 June 2012

The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire

The conference is for Stipendiary and non-stipendiary clergy, including those in stipendiary school, hospital, prison and other chaplaincies in the diocese and those holding PTO, except those who are retired. Total numbers, therefore, could be as high as 300, but if places become available it may be possible to accommodate others who would otherwise be invited to attend the October 2012 Conference at High Leigh. Conference (but not transport) costs are all to be met by the diocese.

The Venue

The facilities at Swanwick are comfortable and modern. There is Wifi access in all areas and most delegates will have single ensuite rooms. Further details of the Conference Centre can be found at www.cct.org.uk.

The Content

The conference planning group have begun work on shaping our time together and the outline programme is designed to refresh us, not to exhaust us, so there will also be time to socialise at the bar, to take time out for peace and quiet or to visit local places of interest. We see the Conference as an opportunity to study and be resourced, but also, importantly, as a time to get to know each other better across the deaneries, to worship together, to have space for reflection and to have fun.

The Speakers

Professor Alistair McGrath is Chair of Theology, Ministry and Education in the Department of Education and Professional Studies at King’s College, London. He is involved both in theological research and the professional development of clergy from a range of Christian denominations. As a former atheist, he regularly engages in debate and dialogue with leading atheists. His recent books include: Christian Theology (5^thedition) (2010) and Why God Won't Go Away: Engaging with the New Atheism (2011)

Rev Canon Prof Martyn Percy is also Professor of Theological Education at King’s College London, and Professorial Research Fellow at Heythrop College London. He served as curate at St. Andrew’s, Bedford, and Chaplain and Director of Studies at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He writes on Christianity and contemporary culture, modern ecclesiology and practical theology. His recent books include Clergy: The Origin of Species (2006), and Shaping the Church: The Promise of Implicit Theology (2010).

Bible study sessions will be led by:
Rev Professor Canon Loveday Alexander came to biblical studies via a degree in classics, philosophy and ancient history at Oxford. Her teaching and research work explores the links between the New Testament and the Graeco-Roman world. She is currently working on a series of readings of Acts through the eyes of the first-century reader.

AUTUMN CONFERENCE

19th - 21st October

High Leigh Conference Centre, Nr Hoddesdon

This conference is for Readers, those clergy who can't attend the June Conference and active retired clergy.

The venue

The conference will be held at High Leigh, in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, which opened as a Conference Centre in 1921 specialising in residential and day conferences for up to 220 delegates. With 40 acres of lawns, parkland and woodland the tranquil surroundings aid both concentration and relaxation for delegates. The facilities at High Leigh are comfortable and modern. There is Wifi access in all areas and most delegates will have single en suite rooms. Further details of the Conference Centre can be found at http://www.cct.org.uk/high-leigh/introduction.

The content

The conference planning group have begun work on shaping our time together and the outline programme is designed to refresh us, not to exhaust us, so there will also be time to socialise at the bar or to take time out for peace and quiet. We see the Conference as an opportunity to study and be resourced, but also, importantly, as a time to get to know each other better across the deaneries, to worship together, to have space for reflection and to have fun.

The Speakers:

Rev Jane Hedges is a Canon of Westminster, has responsibility for the Abbey’s ministry of welcome to over one million visitors and pilgrims each year. In line with the Abbey’s Benedictine tradition she is also responsible for ensuring the Abbey offers generous hospitality to guests. In the past she has served as Team Rector and Rural Dean in Honiton, as a Residentiary Canon at Portsmouth Cathedral, as Stewardship Adviser in the Diocese of Portsmouth, as Team Vicar and Hospital Chaplain in Southampton and Curate in Fareham.

Mark Russell is the Chief Executive of the Church Army. He is the youngest ever Chief Executive of Church Army at the age of 31. In 1998 he helped develop ONEder, an ecumenical youth congregation, a forerunner fresh expression of church and, in 1999, was awarded the Tomorrow's People Award for his cross community work bringing Catholic and Protestant young people together across Northern Ireland. In 2000, as Youth Minister of Christ Church, Chorleywood, he helped grow an exciting and dynamic youth ministry. Mark has led evangelistic missions to many countries including as far afield as China and Australia. He now leads a team of over 300 full-time evangelists and is an advocate for evangelism in the wider church. As a sought after conference speaker he regularly speaks at events like New Wine and Soul Survivor.