To tell us about a forthcomining event you'd like to see publicised here, do one of the following:
share to the facebook group "Chelmsford CMD"
or email Andy at agriffiths@chelmsford.anglican.org
The Church of England has relaunched its “clergy transition service” - free confidential coaching, support with job applications and interviews, rooted in the context of life-long discernment and formation. Find out more here
JULY/AUGUST
‘One Heart, One Voice’ Conference
National Network of Pastoral Musicians Conference July 24-26 2026 (Times to be confirmed)
Highgate House, Creaton, Northampton NN6 8NN
Whether you are a choir director, choir member, instrumentalist or new to music ministry, this conference includes something suitable for all. Through discussion, idea sharing, and singing together with one heart and voice, participants may develop their musical skills and contribute to a sense of community within their churches, encouraging each other in the valuable work of everyday liturgy in our local parishes. Importantly, the conference offers the opportunity to meet and share experiences with others involved in church music from across the country.
Canon Peter Gunstone (priest musician previously involved in pioneer ministry in Bradford and now Precentor at Carlisle Cathedral) will speak on ‘One heart, one voice – can people of diverse backgrounds and traditions become one people of God in worship?’
Theologian Dr Sue Price, with her specialist interests in Children’s Spirituality, the use of Godly Play and outreach work into parishes, will explore how liturgy in whatever form can really feed people’s spirituality.
Practical workshops will explore various musical styles including Iona Community Worship and Life, Gospel Singing, Animating Song, and Supporting the Worshipping Community in music.
A week of walks in the Essex countryside, 31 July-7 August
Led by Tim Lee. A week of walks in the Essex countryside, reflecting on the lives of Abraham and Sarah, people who walked with God.
Starting with short easy routes, our walks will build up over the week to 8-10 mile intermediate level routes; each day’s journeying linked to Bible reflections to ponder. This is a light-hearted week of walking, conversations and time out with God. There will be a few pub lunches (not included in the price). The walks are very gentle and include plenty of pauses for prayer and reflection.
Abraham and Sarah, great heroes of faith were also humble wandering Arameans whose journeyings centred on searching for answers to big questions. In our week’s pilgrimage of walks, the invitation is to unpack their lives and make connections with our own.
“To me the stories of Abraham and Sarah are fascinating because there were so many contradictions in the story. They are held up are the father and mother of Old Testament faith. Yet they didn’t just go in a straight line to Canaan, they wandered around, made plenty of mistakes and had many false starts, their faith blew hot and cold, they had quite problematic family relationships. Yet God clung to them, and they clung to God. Their lives are not just stories, but encounters, discoveries about God and themselves. As we walk with them, I hope we’ll find that their journeys will come to life for us, and our journeys will have something new for us as well. “
Tim Lee is a spiritual director, trained in the Ignatian tradition and has led quiet days. He is a focal minister for three rural parishes in Essex; he loves walking and keeps bees. He has a particular interest in the spirituality of people for whom 'silence is not their thing'. His favourite Bible people are those like Abraham and Sarah who 'mess up' - as real people all tend to do sometimes.
https://www.retreathousepleshey.com/events/journeyings-with-abraham-and-sarah
Here be Dragons
Many of us long for God and we long for healing. Yet we can find our relationship with God is fraught with inhibition or fear on our part. This two day retreat at Pleshey Retreat House, 18-19 August 2026, will explore some fundamental questions about our relationship with God through meditation, readings, art activities and time for reflection.
SEPTEMBER
Equipped for Ministry: Science and the Life of the Church
Online, 7.30pm-9.30pm, Mondays from September
Examine regular activities of the Church, asking: What wisdom can we draw from science to help us in this area of church life? How can these key aspects of Christian life feed into science? https://faraday.institute/Equipped
Vocations resources and events | The Church of England
Save the Date!
"Living waters of hope and healing” – event in Chelmsford Cathedral on 30th September 5.15pm to 8pm
As in 2024 and 2025, the Diocese is again celebrating the Season of Creation with an event in the Cathedral, evensong followed by refreshments and panel discussion. This year is different, however. The event is ecumenical and being held in partnership with A Rocha UK, one of only four events across the country to celebrate 10 years of Eco Church! Panel members include Professor Jules Pretty, Award winning author, podcast host and Emeritus Professor; Rev. Jules Middleton, Parish priest of gold Eco Church and author; Jo Herbert-James, Head of Engagement at A Rocha UK.Please alert your church and your networks to this event and look out for the flyer coming soon.
OCTOBER
The Poetry of Pilgrimage at Cuddesdon
11am on Wednesday 7 - 4pm on Friday 9 October 2026
In this 3 day Retreat, Michael Mitton will draw from his experience of leading pilgrimages to early Christian sites in Ireland, Britain and Assisi, and draw out from his encounters with these sites and the stories of faith associated with them, insights that can strengthen and enrich our daily pilgrimage with God.
His themes will include Pilgrims of the Spirit, Pilgrims of Healing, Pilgrims of the Dark and Pilgrims of Hope. The retreat will include participation in the regular chapel worship and times of silence for quiet reflection.
Michael works as a spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker and writer. His books include Restoring the Woven Cord and The Poetry of Pilgrimage (both published by BRF).
Cost: £195, to include the programme, accommodation and meals.
Making Church Leaders’ Friendships Thrive Retreat | Sheridan Voysey
A unique retreat for leaders at all levels - October 20 at Parmoor, Henley on Thames
“The most challenging thing about ministry is the loneliness, in life and work.” —Senior church leader
Half of all church leaders say they are ‘often’ or ‘frequently’ lonely, and one-in-three lack close friends. The risks are high: isolated pastors are more prone to burnout, while those with close friendships are nearly twice as likely to stay in ministry. This overnight retreat will address the unique barriers church leaders face to help them make their friendships thrive.
Leading your Church into Growth
We are delighted to announce that a series of Leading your Church into Growth (LyCiG) conferences will be taking place throughout our diocese this year. This is a chance to experience collaborative team training, like no other.
FOR THE BRADWELL AND COLCHESTER AREAS:
17- 18 October Chelmsford Conference
Location: The Salvation Army Chelmsford Citadel, 70 Baddow Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0DD
Contact your Archdeacon in the first instance
NOVEMBER
Remaking After Trauma: The Role of the Church
Online/Cambridge, 9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 7th Nov
How can the church support people who have experienced trauma in a biblically and theologically informed way? What does post-traumatic growth look like? Join us to explore this vital area of the Church’s work.
https://faraday.institute/trauma
Triple Listening: Listening to God, listening to the congregation, listening to the community
A day with Rev Angus Ritchie, 10 November 2026 at Holy Trinity, Rayleigh
This is a Bradwell Study Day, but ministers from across the Diocese will be welcome. More information later in the year.
Bible Weekend at the Shrine of our Lady at Walsingham: 13-15 November, with The Right Revd Lindsay Urwin
Christian Art Conference 2026: 14 November, London
Responding to criticism
An interesting article reflecting on how as leaders we respond to criticism positively. The author, Chris Green , has written a number of books on leadership and his blog Ministry Nuts and Bolts is worth looking at as well
A fascinating article about the value of boredom written by the leader of a local Chelmsford church - well worth a read!
Intergenerational Preaching: A video
Roots for Churches present a video by Mary Hawes and others
Lots of resources in different learning styles about being a "relational church"
A More Relational Church – Relational Church UK
Inside-Out: Next steps for Clergy Wellbeing – Relational Church UK
An article about clergy burnout, and the way that structural change may be required as well as personal responsibility
The article ends with challenging words: "In conclusion, Jesus came that we may have life in all its fullness. As churches we are treating our clergy as if this hope doesn’t apply to them. Worse than that, we treat them as “canon fodder” who can be used and put aside when they are broken. We could do better."
3D Coaching presents: Effective Conversations
You know how to have conversations. You’ve been having them for a long time.
Using our learning platform FreshLearn, you will be able to watch this set of videos (approx. 85 mins).
In this video set we will be thinking about small practical changes you can make to conversations that will make them:
- Easier for you
- More effective for the people you talk to
Includes: ideas, practice, real-life coaching demo, coaching framework and examples
Claire Pedrick MCC has been coaching for over 30 years. A coach, mentor coach and coaching supervisor, she trains managers, leaders and experienced coaches across multiple sectors to reap the benefits of working more simply. Claire is the Founding Partner of 3D Coaching.
Matt White's new book, "Propelled into Wonder," is out NOW!
50 original poems accompanied by hand-drawn illustrations.
#poetrycommunity #writerscommunity
GoHealth: Rest and Reset
Engaging with new housing
Is there new housing in your parish or area? Do you have questions about *How to be Christlike in New Housing Areas, *How to Deal with Practicalities, *How to Work Together as the Body of Christ, *How to Plan and Evaluate, and *How to Engage in Different Contexts?
These are exactly the issues a new resource covers: Introduction to Engaging with New Housing: a set of How-to Guides – Housing Justice.
We've been building a bit of a library of videos about various spiritual movements, and how they can influence us as ministers in East London and Essex in the 2020s.
Past sessions have looked at Benedictine Spirituality, Dominican Spirituality, two different varieties of Evangelical Spirituality, Ignatian Spirituality, Community Organising Spirituality, and Moravian Spirituality. Browse all this and lots of rubbish at:
http://www.youtube.com/@andygriffiths7654
I've been reading Thrive by Pam McNaughton (London: Church House Publishing, 2023), and I thought I'd post a review.
The subtitle of the book is "Helping your multi-parish benefice to grow", and this is an area the author has serious experience of, having been the incumbent of three different multi-parish benefices (MPBs) in three different dioceses, and having developed a course on the subject (also called Thrive) for CPAS.
The book isn't rocket science, and you won't be surprised to hear the list of things listed as keys to a thriving multi-parish ministry, around which the book is built:
*Prayer
*Mapping and relating stories
*Enabling leaders and great teams (for what it's worth, this seems to me to be the strongest section, and if you did nothing else any MPB would profit from taking this wisdom to heart)
*A culture of discipleship - "shaping the life and activity of our churches around the Great Commandments and the Great Commission." I liked this section, though the community organiser in me would have loved there to be a recognition that we don't just worship God, serve our neighbours and share the good news (crucial as these things are), but also listen to our communities to see what they care about, and enable them to take action for justice. I don't for one moment think that Pam MacNaughton is inward-looking-except-with-regard-to evangelism, but that's such a danger for MPBs that I would want to flag it up.
*Faith sharing. This may be the most challenging section for a number of our MPBs, but it's introduced with gentleness and realism.
*Vision for the future
The value of the book lies not so much in the choice of these topics, which will be familiar, as in the clear, approachable way they are explained and made relevant to multi-church contexts. I liked the way the book often gives several options, rather than a single authoritative template: for example, when starting to move towards vision, we are given
*a template for a formal review of church life, but also
*permission not to use it because there may be one or two areas that clearly need to be worked on first, before the review is encouraging, and
*permission to start with one big project that will get people's imagination firing and raise morale, so that when it is time to review the church(es), the momentum of the project will help people look at possibilities with newfound positivity.
I also liked the way the author often chooses to ask questions rather than to give advice.
I could imagine this being a book that a whole PCC, or a standing committee, looked at together; or perhaps, the wardens and ministers drawn from all the churches in a benefice. There are online materials available as well.
In this Diocese, there are two networks for incumbents (and other ministers) with MPBs or the equivalent - "Four or more" and "More than one". If you'd be interested in being part of such a network, do get in touch with Janet Nichols or Andy Griffiths.
Theological Reading Group
Susannah Brasier writes: "I set up an online theological reading group about 18 months ago. We meet monthly, on Zoom, on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm for 45 mins-1 hr.
So far we have read a wide variety of books, of varying genres and intensity, and had some very good discussions.
The idea came from one of my own MDRs, where I lamented (not for the first time) that I wasn't getting around to theological reading - so Jill Mowbray suggested I started this group and certainly, even though previously I often thought I didn't have time to read, I now have a discipline whereby I am always reading at least one theological book a month!
It is however not only open to clergy - ordinands, licensed or authorised lay ministers are also welcome, as well as other lay people who have an interest in reading theological books."
Do contact Susannah Brasier if you'd like to get involved.
The institutions and providers below all offer courses relevant to the development needs of Chelmsford clergy.
The Anglican Centre in Rome
The Anglican Centre offers a range of residential courses. Go to www.anglicancentreinrome.org for more details.
The Arthur Rank Centre
A charity that supports and resources the rural church. It offers twice-yearly Rural Ministry Courses and Multi Church Ministry Workshops
It also has resources for the creative use of church buildings
The Buck Stops Here: Leading in MIssion and Ministry in Your First Incumbency
This residential course is offered by CPAS for those moving from a curacy to a first post of responsibility, or for those moving from overseas or sector post to an incumbency or team vicar post.
Los Olivos
A varied programme of courses and retreats in southern Spain, some of which will be eligible for CMD grant – check with your Area CMD Adviser before booking. Travel is not eligible for grant. Go to www.haciendalosolivos.org for details.
LYCIG Leading Your Church Into Growth
A training programme which takes the mystique out of growth and makes it ‘normal’ and do-able. It is likely that a LYCIG course will be run in Chelmsford Diocese in the coming year.
LYCiG is a four-day residential course for lay and ordained leaders. Now in itstwenty-first year, the course was pioneered by Robin Gamble and others, and is led by a team drawn from many different backgrounds, traditions, and ministry contexts. All are practitioners who can speak from personal experience of leading churches into growth. "The most valuable training we’ve ever done", is a typical comment from some of the 70 churches represented on the course.
For the current Conferences programme click here.
Transforming Worship
It offers a series of training events, mostly regional, for those who lead worship - website here
Sarum College
in Salisbury is an ecumenical centre for Christian study and research. It offers a variety of short courses and study programmes in theology, culture, Christian leadership, liturgy and worship, biblical study and sprituality; also singing, music and the arts. Many of these are eligible for CMD grant. For upcoming events or for their whole programme go to www.sarum.ac.uk.
The Society of Mary and Martha, Sheldon
The Society of Mary and Martha in Devon has a varied programme of residential weeks and workshops, including Myers-Briggs and Enneagram, and specifically for clergy, some of which (but not all) will qualify for use of CMD grant. Go to www.sheldon.uk.com.
How to obtain your CMD grant…
Many of these courses are eligible for funding from your CMD grant.
If you have questions about these or other training courses, contact your Area CMD Adviser or the CMD Administrator Sue Denham (01245 294450) .
For information on Sabbatical Leave and Study contact your Area CMD Adviser.
When requesting money for CMD grants, which are available for active clergy (including PTO with a working agreement) and Licensed or PTO Lay Ministers, applications must be received at least a month prior to the event and before booking or attending. To do this fill in an electronic grant form and send it to your Area CMD Adviser, Andy Griffiths, Jane Richards or Julie Couchman-Boor who will authorise and send to Sue Denham who will raise the payment. You do not need to send a copy of the brochure. It is preferred to make payments by BACS. See CMD Funding.
For consultation in advance of applications for any CMD events not included here, please contact your Area CMD Adviser. Please note that where a CMD Adviser, MDR, Archdeacon or Bishop has recommended coaching, this will be funded by a £230 grant, which will not deplete your CMD grant rights for the rest of the year.