‘A safe space, a threshold, a place to meet God, to meet yourself and others; a safe place of openness, exploration, vulnerability, blessing, and surprise. ‘
If you feel you don’t have time for a monthly commitment, this initiative might well be for you.
If you think this is too ‘creative’ or ‘touchy feely’, this could be just what you need.
If you are sceptical about whether this will be a safe space, come and see how it feels.
This is not supervision, nor is it group therapy. This is an opportunity to be still, to reconnect with ourself and with God, to bear witness to one another, and to leave refreshed and upheld in our ministries.
‘An invitation to meet with other clergy in a facilitated, safe space; to reflect, to attend to yourself, to find encouragement and resource for the journey. ‘
‘A chance to step aside from the demands of your ‘to do’ list and to draw breath in a supportive and nourishing series of mini-retreats.’
The groups will be running from October 2024 to June 2025 and we ask for a basic commitment for all nine sessions. They will run as follows:
- Mondays, 12:30-2:30pm, East Sheen
- Mondays, 2-4pm, Clapham
- Tuesdays, 10am-12pm, Wimbledon/New Malden
- Tuesdays, 7-9pm, Croydon
- Wednesdays, 2-4pm, London Bridge
- Thursdays, 12:30-2:30pm, ZOOM (these groups meet entirely online)
To register and for more information contact the Dean of Clergy Well-being: leanne[email protected].
‘You cannot bear the weight of this calling in your own strength, but only by the grace and power of God. Pray therefore that your heart may daily be enlarged and your understanding of the Scriptures enlightened. Pray earnestly for the gift of the Holy Spirit.’
– The Ordinal
Ordained ministry is a great privilege, but it can also be personally costly to clergy. The Bishop of Southwark has committed himself to the well-being of all clergy, recognising the significant demands that ministry places on them.
Many aspects of ministry in today’s world can make it stressful, among them confusion about role, demands of workload, loss of status and the challenge of a rapidly changing context for ministry. Caring for ourselves should not be another thing we need to worry about, but the basis of our obedience to God’s call on us to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Advice on good practice and support is available from the Diocese in various ways. The first port of call is the Dean of Clergy Well-being, the Revd Canon Leanne Roberts, who can be contacted in complete confidence any time at leanne[email protected].
Leanne can also give advice on how to access counselling and psychotherapy as well as signpost to other ways the Diocese can help you.
Further resources can also be found on the Church of England website.
