Dear Colleagues

The Clergy Conference is taking place from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 September at Norwich Cathedral.

You should have received information about booking accommodation already. If you haven't yet responded, please contact sophie.bell@dioceseofnorwich.org as soon as possible. Details will be sent out regarding your accommodation if you have requested it. Please look out for that email in the next few days.

You should also have received the conference programme with an outline of timings for each day. This email was sent out on the 20th June.

Today's email includes information about the clergy conference 'fringe' activities, which take place on the afternoons of Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24. Some of the activities require booking in advance so please read the information carefully. All of the other activities can be chosen on the day. Please book only 1 activity per session.

It's completely up to you how you want to spend your afternoons of the conference and we really want you to use the conference in whatever way you most need - however, we hope that at least some of the activities on offer will be of interest to you.

Below is a list of all the activities which make up the Clergy Conference Fringe 2025. Anything highlighted in yellow needs to be pre-booked.

The following activities must be booked in advance. This is because there are limited spaces. These activities are first come, first served, so when they are full we will need to close the booking. Thank you for your understanding.

All the other fringe activities are 'drop in' sessions and you are welcome to attend any of them.

Please read a brief description below.

At the end, there is a link to click on which will take you to a microsoft form to make your choices. You will see a screen when the form is submitted with the option to save your response.

'Surviving or Thriving? Insights into Clergy Wellbeing from the Living Ministry Research' with Dr Liz Graveling

Tuesday 23 September | On site 2pm-3pm

with Dr Liz Graveling, Senior Researcher, Ministry Development Team for the Church of England

In this workshop, Liz will share some of the findings and outputs of the national Living Ministry research into clergy wellbeing.

Cathedral Library Tour

Tuesday 23 September | 2-3pm. Session 1 - 15 spaces

.

Explore the Cathedral's historic library and its treasures.

Book Club with Archdeacon Keith and Revd Canon Susanna Gunner

Tuesday 23 September | On site 3.30-4.30pm. Session 2

'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan

It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the silences of a town controlled by the church.

An international bestseller, Small Things Like These is a story of hope, quiet heroism, and empathy from one of our most critically lauded and iconic writers.

Triforium Tour

Tuesday 23 September: both sessions.

Wednesday 24 September: both sessions

Discover the upper levels of the Cathedral and its hidden past.

12 spaces on each tour, so an opportunity for 48 people in total. This tour is not accessible for those with mobility issues.

Drumming workshop

Tuesday 23 September 2pm-3.30pm.Total spaces: 40

From beginners onwards. Come and experience the joy of drumming.

Rockland Barn Art

Tuesday 23 September | Off site 2.30-4.30pm

A creative afternoon exploring prayer, art and spirituality with Nick and Helen Garrard. 20 spaces in total. Make your own way there and back.

The Horstead Centre

Tuesday 23 September | Off site 2pm-3.30pm

The choice of either canoeing or archery. 28 spaces in total. 14 people for each activity. Make your own way there and back.

Damilola Makinde talk

Tuesday 23 September | 3.30-4.30pm: Session 2

'In the world, but not of the world; culturally relevant mission in a post-secular age.'

Damilola is the Evangelical Alliance's advocacy engagement lead.

Sainsbury Centre Tour

Tuesday 23 September: 2.45pm tour begins.

15 people total. A guided introduction and a private tour of the permanent collection followed by tea and coffee. Please make your own way there and back.

Wednesday 24 September

Choir workshop

Wednesday 24 September: 2-3pm Session 1

Singing together from beginners onwards with Linda Roast. A simple vocal warm up followed by a beautiful four part gospel song. No need to read music, everything will be taught by ear.

30 spaces available.

Book Club with Archdeacon Keith and Revd Canon Susanna Gunner

Wednesday24 September: 2pm-3pm: Session 1

'James' by Percival Everett

A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. 

Brimming with humour and lacerating observations that have made Everett a literary icon, this brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim's agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before.

Cathedral Library Tour

Wednesday September | 3.30-4.30pm. Session 1 - 15 spaces

.

Explore the Cathedral's historic library and its treasures.

Triforium Tour

Wednesday 24 September: both sessions

Discover the upper levels of the Cathedral and its hidden past.

12 spaces on each tour, so an opportunity for 48 people in total.

St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral Tower Tour

Wednesday 24 September:

Ascend the tower for breathtaking views of the city.

Damilola Makinde talk

Wednesday 24 September 3.30-4.30pm: Session 2

'Power in Preaching, from monotony to majesty.'

Damilola is the Evangelical Alliance's advocacy engagement lead.

A further chance to engage with Jim Walters and the topic of Prayer.

Wednesday 24 September 2pm-3pm.: Session 1

Jim is one of our speakers at the clergy conference. He is the founding director of the LSE Faith Centre and LSE Religion and Global Society Research Unit.

Parish Music with Graham Thorpe: 'How to make the most of music in the parish, whatever your resources.'

Tuesday 23 September: Session 1

Art in the Close: experience the Cathedral's new art installations.

Tuesday 23 September: Session 1

A visit to the Julian Shrine: be inspired by the story of Julian of Norwich.

Tuesday 23

Wednesday 24

Cursillo: A talk from the Norwich Anglican Cursillo Group

Tuesday 23 September: Session 1

Communications: how to tell and share good news stories from your parish

Tuesday 23 September: Session 1

Wednesday 24 September: Session 1

Diocesan Strategy: where are we up to?

Tuesday 23: Session 1 and 2

Wednesday 24: Session 1 and 2

Bishops Garden Tour: a tour around the oldest private garden in Norwich

Tuesday 23: Session 1 and 2

Wednesday 24: Session 1

Rosary Group: – Fr Alaric Lewis will lead two sessions on Praying the Rosary

Tuesday 23: Session 1

Wednesday 24: Session 1

Chaplains 'Telling our Story': Showing the hospitality of God in parish, chaplaincy and supervision.

Tuesday 23: Session 2

PNG pilgrimage: a presentation following the Diocesan pilgrimage in early September

Tuesday 23: Session 2



Children, Youth and Families: Turning the volume up on the 'Quiet Revival' - Responding to the evidence of spiritual curiosity among children and young people.

Tuesday 23: Session 2

HR talk: Essential things you need to know about employing a member of staff.

Tuesday 23: Session 2

Beekeeping: an introduction to beekeeping with Revd Annie Blyth

Tuesday 23: Session 2

Wednesday 24: Session 2

Data: 'When and how will we see the fruits of our strategy? What are the Statistics for Mission and what do they really measure?'

Wednesday 24: Session 1 and Session 2

Discover Walsingham: learn what the Shrine of Walsingham can offer you and your church communities

Wednesday 24: Session 1

Mousehold Heath: A pilgrimage with the Dean to the evocative ruins of St Michael's Church overlooking Norwich.

Wednesday 24 September:

'I'm looking for active events'

Book canoeing or archery at the Horstead Centre. Take a group and enjoy an afternoon of fun, for free. Or join the Dean of Norwich on a pilgrimage to Mousehold Heath.

"I'm looking for quiet reflection, wellbeing and learning"

Book into the bible study with Damilola Makinde, the book club with Archdeacon Keith, or the clergy wellbeing session with Dr Liz Graveling.

"I'm looking for an historic tour"

Book the library tour at Norwich Cathedral, or enjoy the upper levels on the Triforium tour. Or you could look round the Bishop's Gardens, the oldest private garden in Norwich.

"I'm looking for a creative workshop"

Book onto the Rockland Barn Art activity, try drumming as a beginner, or singing together by learning a gospel song with the choir.

We look forward to seeing you at the clergy conference. Thank you for booking some of the activities in advance. This will help us to plan for the event and ensure that you make the most of your time, whatever you choose to do at the 'fringe'.

If you have any questions, please contact: sophie.bell@dioceseofnorwich.org