First Incumbents Optional Programme 2016 -17

Date and time / topic / Leader / Venue
November 1st,
10.00 – 13.00, 2016 / Demystifying money, how to read balance sheets and other terrifying things / David Pickles and Charles Adams / St Thomas’ & St Andrews Church, Doxey, Stafford
November 26, 2016
10.00 – 15.00, / Matthew, a Gospel with attitude
Preaching the Gospel of St Matthew / Fr Nick King / St Thomas’ & St Andrews Church, Doxey, Stafford
Advent / and / Christmas
January 23 – 25, 2017 / New to multi-parish benefices, residential / Pam MacNaughton, Helen Sammon, Lesley Bentley et al / Shallowford House
Feb 28, 2016
10.00 – 15.30 / Buildings and Fundraising / Archdeacon Matthew, Kristina Williamson, Pat Evemy / St Thomas and St Andrew Church, Doxey
March 29, 2016
10.00 – 13.00 / How to chair church meetings and how to get the most out of church meetings / John Allen, Alison Ransome / Trinity Methodist Church, Stafford
April 16 / Easter Sunday
May 4th,
19.00 – 21.00 / The Legalities of Weddings / Andrew Wynne - Assistant Registrar for Lichfield Diocese / St Andrew and St Thomas, Doxey
June 20, 2017
10.00 – 13.00 / Time Management and boundaries / Alison Ransome and Lesley Bentley / St Thomas’ & St Andrews Church, Doxey, Stafford
Oct 2– 5,2017 / First Incumbents Residential / Naomi Nixon and West Midlands CMD group / Walton Hall Hotel

Matthew, a gospel with attitude – preaching the gospel of Matthew

The return of Nick King, who was very popular at the 2016 Diocesan Conference, for his Bible studies. His approach was well received across the different theological traditions and his sense of humour made learning fun.

Practicalities of Ministry

November 1st (finance), March 29 (meetings), June 20 (time) are to help you with the practicalities of ministry. As a new venture we are joining together with the Methodist church to bring you these 3 sessions. At each session a C of E trainer and a Methodist trainer will be present to make sure that any denominationally specific matters are properly addressed.

January 23 -25, 2017, New to Multi Parish Benefices

We will look at the realities of your role in your benefice, the practicalities of running an MPB (or similar grouping of churches or parishes), the skills you will need and what it mean to be missional in an MPB. Spirituality in this context will also be considered and the whole course will be based around a rhythm of prayer.

February 28, Buildings and fundraising

Our church buildings should speak of God and their churchyards be places of solace and hope. However, if they are to serve us in this way, both require effective management and this can seem daunting! This session is an opportunity to reflect on how we achieve the best from our churches; it will cover your responsibilities, the legalities (not too many!), some practicalities and offer tips on how to reduce the potential burden of caring for ‘God’s House’.”

4th May 2017 – The Legalities of Weddings

Led by Andrew Wynne – Assistant Registrar for Lichfield Diocese

Marriage is a wonderful institution, but is also a legal minefield. This session will cover all the basics, from who may be married in your church, through calling the banns, to when you might need a Common or an Archbishop’s Special Licence. The rules about the marriage of Foreign Nationals will be fully covered.

Oct 2– 5,2017 – First Incumbents residential

All new incumbents are invited to this conference which gives time for fellowship with others new to incumbency, opportunity to think through the new role and input on practical matters such as finance and law.