Eastern Region Training Partnership

Some of the programme for Clergy Ministerial Development training is organised regionally by the Eastern Region Training Partnership and is specifically aimed at those new in post.

There’s further information here about the

• • New Posts Conference and
  • Incumbency Skills Conference

New Posts Conference

Twice a year the dioceses of the Eastern Region (Chelmsford, Ely, Peterborough, St Albans and St Edmundsbury and Ipswich) hold a residential conferences (usually in October and May) for those who have been appointed to incumbency or priest in charge posts in the previous year – whether or not this is the first time in such a role..

The aim of the conference is to help those newly appointed to reflect on what they discover about their new context, to discern opportunities, see how they might approach challenges, and consider how they, and those they lead, can best move forwards.

For those moving straight from a curacy, this conference is best done after the Incumbency Skills course and within a time-scale of twelve to eighteen months into a new role. 

The conference includes input in a large group, as well as time in small groups (normally of four) facilitated by a staff member. The regular times of worship, led by staff members, are an integral part of the programme.

The value of the Conference is enhanced by the preparatory work you do beforehand. About six weeks before the event you will receive a ‘Mapping Your New Post’ document. This will help you orientate yourself in your post, as well as better prepare you for the Conference itself.

The New Posts Conference is led and staffed by those with experience of continuing ministerial education and people with experience of church leadership. The event also offers an opportunity for mutual support through informal networking and fellowship.

This is a demanding and rewarding 48 hours, so please keep all three days of the conference free and do not try to squeeze in meetings around them.  Aim to arrive by 11.30am on the first day – Tuesday.  The conference ends with lunch at 1pm on the third day – Thursday.

The conference is free to you and will be paid for by the diocese.

There is capacity for a total of around 20 delegates across the dioceses at each conference, plus staff members. (The ratio of staff to participants is 1 to 4 or 5).

If you are new to your post, please contact MDTadmin@stalbans.anglican.org to register your interest in attending this course.

Incumbency Skills Conference

Twice each year the dioceses of the Eastern Region (Chelmsford, Ely, Norwich, Peterborough, St Albans and St Edmundsbury and Ipswich) hold a residential conference for those who have been appointed to incumbency or priest in charge posts in the previous year.

The conference is helpful for anyone in an incumbency role, including those transferring from a different diocese, but is mandatory for all taking up an incumbent’s role for the first time.

It aims to cover some of the practical information and knowledge required to lead a parish, in the context of seeing clergy as leaders in mission.

The Incumbency Skills Conference is led by those with experience of continuing ministerial development and people with particular expertise from participating dioceses. It aims to give you a ‘toolkit’ of resources and information, which you can draw upon to find particular answers as and when you need them.

The course covers:-

• • Leadership for Mission
  • Working with others
  • PCC & Annual Meetings
  • Help, I’m a Church lawyer!
  • Faculties
  • Finance
  • Worship

The conference is free to you and will be paid by the diocese

If you are a new incumbent or priest in charge please contact MDTadmin@stalbans.anglican.org to register your interest in attending this course.

“I found the most helpful phrase is ‘You are not alone’.  It’s been so good to share with other colleagues about their experiences, finding things in common.  We’ve been given a lot of information about where to find help when we need it, so I feel very encouraged and I’d encourage anybody else thinking of coming on this course to come on it because you are indeed ‘not alone’”

          The Revd Ola Franklin 

Vicar of St Paul’s, Woodford Bridge, Diocese of Chelmsford