Our 3-day Clergy Conference is well underway now at the Hayes Conferene Centre in Swanwick.
The Bishop of Bristol, The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, is hosting this special conference for our licensed clergy in the Diocese of Bristol until tomorrow, Thursday 13 October.
The last few years have been some of the most challenging many of us have ever faced as we have adapted to ministry through the pandemic. The conference has been designed with this in mind, to be a time for re-creation and re-connection, with ourselves, with God and one another.
The conference is making use of Psalm 23 as the focus of our reflections. During the three days, there will be opportunities for worship reflecting different traditions and styles from across the diocese; space to simply chat; time to go off-site together and explore different places; evening entertainment; places to be silent or to make music; areas for board games and physical challenges; art and poetry; regular times for coffee and a bar in the evening.
The input will come from three keynote speakers: Cris Rogers, Isabelle Hamley and Evie Vernon. There will also be plenty of space for response and prayer, as well as chaplains present throughout for private conversations, prayer and confession.
Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, said,
‘I am delighted that so many people have been able to come to our Clergy Conference. We are an expression of the body of Christ, bound together in service in this diocese, and this is a rare opportunity for us to be together. I know that some of us have been unable to attend the conference for personal reasons and we do not want anyone to feel under pressure if they cannot be here with us, but please know that we are missing you and will be praying for your flourishing while we are away."
Revd Dr Simon Taylor, Director of Ministry Development at the Diocese of Bristol, said,
‘With a focus on Psalm 23, the Clergy Conference has given us the chance to meet and share together with Bishop Viv. It's been a great conference so far with exciting speakers and I am very much enjoying this time of refreshment and renewal with colleagues from across the diocese."