Click here for a library of resources, including recordings from previous CMD events.
Preaching from Luke's Gospel
12 November (10am-3.30pm, Yarnton Manor, Yarnton, OX5 1PY)
Luke wrote with a purpose – to reassure his audience in the face of crisis that God was with them in and through it all. Perhaps, in this sense, Luke’s gospel has something quite important for the contemporary church to listen to as we face our own challenges. With a view to preaching it as the lectionary gospel, we will explore:
- the way Luke structures his story of Jesus and the church to console, challenge, and encourage people facing crisis
- the way he focusses on Jesus’ ministry of blessing and why, given his main purpose
- the ministry of the Spirit leading God’s people in mission.
Please bring your Bible (in whatever language or languages suit you).
Lunch provided.
Leader: Revd Dr Andy Angel
Meetings and governance for clergy
18 November (10am-4pm, Church House Oxford)
On this day we will have two sessions of guidance from the Rector of Dorchester Abbey covering how to manage PCC meetings and APCMs, in the context of a large church with established structures. There will also be a session from a village vicar, talking about how to lead PCCs in a village, small church context. Another presenter will give a lay perspective on leading meetings, and the day will end with a lightning tour of Church of England governance, showing how parishes fit in to the diocesan and national ‘big picture’.
Please bring a packed lunch, or you can book lunch at the CHO cafe.
Café Théologique: A Manifesto for Hope - 10 principles for transforming the lives of children & young people
18 November (7.30-9pm, ZeroDegrees Bar, Bridge Street, Reading and online)
An in-person and online event with Steve Chalke MBE speaking about his book, A Manifesto for Hope, which sets out ten tried-and-tested practical principles for how to develop joined-up, cost-effective, community-empowering work.
Steve demonstrates the stark choice facing us: keep pouring money into a faltering system, or reform and invest to improve people's lives. We need a new social covenant that empowers local charities, grassroots movements and faith groups - creating a more imaginative, more collaborative and less bureaucratic approach to community development - if we are going to transform the life chances of countless young people and families.
Café Théologique is hosted by the University of Reading Chaplaincy and is a space to explore contemporary issues from a theological perspective. All are welcome. Events are free to attend without booking. Guests are welcome to join us for food at the venue from 6pm.
Zoom joining details: u.nu/cafetheo
Can we use the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF)?
20 November (10am-3.30pm, Kidlington Baptist Church)
A full day workshop for clergy and LLMs in Oxford diocese exploring how the Prayers of Love and Faith (PoLF) resources might be used in a parish context.
The day aims to be a pragmatic exploration of the resources from a pastoral and liturgical perspective and will focus on the PoLF resources as they have been published (Dec 23), rather than participating in the ongoing debate about whether they should exist. Participants will familiarise themselves with all three sections of the PoLF and work together on case studies using the resources. We hope those who wish to use the resources in their own contexts will explore how to do so well and within the constraints and processes that the House of Bishops have established.
The PoLF were commended by the House of Bishops and published in their current form in December 2023. Copies of the resources will be available on the day and can be downloaded here. The day is based on the new Grove booklet 'Can we use the Prayers of love and Faith?' by Mark Earey and Phillip Tovey.
Leaders: Revd Canon Dr Phillip Tovey, Hannah Ling (Social Justice Adviser) and Revd Gill Lovell (CMD Adviser) Lunch provided.
Lunch provided.
Mission and ministry in multi-faith Britain
26 November (10am-4pm, St Mary's Church, Slough)
This day is hosted by the Rector and team of the Upton-cum-Chalvey benefice in Slough, who have a very active and important inter-faith ministry. There will be interaction with representatives of other faiths and discussion of mission and ministry in today’s multi-faith Britain.
Please bring a packed lunch.
Active Imagination and the Mystical Life
30 November (2-5.30pm, online)
A Guild of Pastoral Psychology webinar based on lectures on Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, given by Jung in 1939-40. Earl Collins’ talk explores the fundamental importance, for both Ignatius and Jung, of the experiential aspects of religion. This talk will be of interest to clergy and lay people, and particularly perhaps to those involved in spiritual direction and accompanying.
Speaker: Rev Canon Dr Earl Collins, CMD Officer, Diocese of Chichester.
For further information and access to to book.
2025
Ministry with Schools
28 January (The Marcham Centre, Marcham, and Marcham C of E Primary School)
This is primarily a training day for curates, although other clergy, and LLMs, who would like a ‘refresher’ training day are welcome to participate.
There will be a school visit and a chance to learn from a successful long-term church and school relationship. Leading figures in the ODBE will give presentations on different aspects of schools ministry, and there will be school-appropriate worship.
Community Organising
8 February (St Frideswide’s, Water Eaton)
This is primarily a training day for curates, although other clergy, and LLMs who would like to know more about this area are welcome.
Community Organising is an important form of Community Outreach, and a diocesan priority. The diocese is in partnership in this area with Citizens UK and this day includes Citizens UK involvement. The day gives an introduction to Community Organising, its history and methods, and how churches can get involved.
Environmental Theology
26 February (Church House, Oxford)
This is a training day for curates, other clergy, and LLMs.
Interest in environmental theology is on the rise across the churches. Martin and Margot Hodson, who have researched and taught in this area for many years, will give an overview of the science and theology involved. Alison Riggs and Hannah Mann will give presentations on diocesan resources and approaches that can be of help to parishes wishing to take action.
Exploring Chaplaincy
4 March (Church House, Oxford)
This is a training day for curates and other clergy who are interested in chaplaincy.
Chaplaincy is evermore important in our increasingly secular country. It can take many different forms and we will explore a number of these on this day. We will have presentations from military, school, university, hospital, police, and prison chaplains. We will also discuss other kinds of chaplaincy, routes into chaplaincy, and associated topics.
Mental Health First Aid (2-day course)
9-10 July (9am-5pm, Church House, Oxford)
This is a two-day course for clergy only, provided by humantalk and sponsored by the Clergy Support Trust. The course will equip participants with a practical framework for supporting those experiencing mental health concerns.
- Grounded in research, and developed with clinical practitioners, MHFA Is designed to enhance participants knowledge and confidence in how best to help others, whilst also looking after their own well-being
- within a church context, this programme can help participants reflect afresh on their theology of suffering, healing and recovery
- all participants will receive a 100 page printed workbook, and access to digital resources for up to three years post training, including the MHFA app which provides 24/ 7 digital support
- the training has been warmly received by cohorts of curates, parish priests, chaplains, area deans, and archdeacons
Please book early as there are only 12 places available. We'll have a waiting list for late cancellations.
Click here for a library of resources, including recordings from previous CMD events.