To All Licensed Clergy

Dear Colleague

"Committed to God - Engaging with the World"
The Bishop's Conference for Clergy - 30th June - 3rd July 2008

I am pleased to write with further details of our conference.  The purpose is to help us think about the cultural, social and intellectual context of the world in which we all live and about the spirituality that enables and equips us to engage with that world.  This obviously relates to our 'Committed to Growth' strategy, but the focus is on equipping us spiritually and intellectually to form and lead spiritual communities that engage with the wider community around.

The Conference Planning Group has decided that we will not follow the usual format of lectures or presentations but rather a programme which is much more like a series of 'studio discussions' in which various people participate and we all listen in and respond.  'Studio guests' (invited and in-house) will make contributions from a variety of perspectives including some or all of politics, business, literature, film and the environment.  Others will help us make the connection with our spiritual and theological traditions and insights.

Undergirding all of this will be a pattern of worship and prayer that will run through the days of the conference.  Within this Bishop David will contribute a series of biblical reflections.  Andrew Maries from Keynote Trust and Exeter Diocese has agreed to be our Musical Director; Andrew will also be with us on 18th and 19th April next year to run two training days for clergy, readers and church musicians.

The venue will be the de Havilland Campus of the University of Hertfordshire.  This is within relatively easy reach and meets our requirements very well indeed with good meeting rooms and en suite facilities for all.  The conference will begin at 4.00 pm on the Monday and end after lunch on the Thursday.  Details of the venue can be found by clicking here.

We will all be able to contribute through engaging with our guests and in small group discussions.  There will also be an invitation to offer workshops:  these might be an opportunity to present to a wider audience some initiative or idea that you may have and which you would like to share with others.

Further details of the conference will be circulated and posted on the web-site in January - that will be the time to offer workshops and confirm your attendance.  Please may I remind you that I expect all stipendiary clergy to attend unless I have specifically agreed otherwise; non-stipendiary clergy are very warmly invited and I hope that many will be able to make arrangements to be with us.

Yours sincerely
+Graham Norvic