Diocesan Conference 2012

Message from the Bishop

Do please come and take part in YOUR diocesan Conference .

These three days will give us all time and space to
step aside to be renewed together in our faith, discipleship, ministries and mission.

The Conference promises to be hugely enjoyable and inspiring.

Don't miss it!

Life seems to go at an ever frantic pace, and we can be swept along by forces beyond our control. We can feel as if we are being carried forward on a fast-flowing river, with little power to resist. That context provides an image for our conference, one of being at the mercy of the rapids of life. Yet we believe that we can reach out to Jesus Christ from the midst of those rapids, and find strength and confidence, peace and vision. More than that, we can be helped to stand and surf those very rapids so that the flood proves to be our life and not our death.
We will come to the conference from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, yet a common experience will be the pace and the fragmented nature of life. How do we find Christ in the confusion of that life, in the midst of today's world? Our speakers and our workshops will be showing us different ways of learning how to stand up and surf, how to engage more closely with Jesus Christ, how to become a deeper Christian in the present day.

Soul Spark
Continue the exploration of Christian Spirituality begun with the Diocesan Lent Course for 2012 -- Soul Spark. Find your own personal route to God, through Prayer, Reflection and Sharing.

Workshops
Access to a variety of style and creative media in our workshops. Stimulate new thoughts and ideas. A unique opportunity to consider fresh ideas to take back to our parishes Small Group Reflections Share your story, your journey to faith, your relationship with God. Time to listen and reflect as we draw closer to each other and to God.

Time Out
As always, Conference gives time to rest, to catch up with friends, to renew the busy 'you' who dwells in Christ. Take the life and strength giving Spirit in our Worship deep into your heart and mind.

Accommodation and Fees
The cost for attendance is £95 per person. This is a subsidised rate, set as a witness to the Diocesan commitment to collaborative ministry and valuing everyone equally. This covers full board accommodation beginning with lunch on Wednesday 11 July and ending on the afternoon of Friday 13 July.

Harper Adams University College, on the outskirts of Newport, Shropshire provides excellent conference facilities and accommodation. The accommodation is comfortable bedrooms with en-suite facilities.

The catering is high quality. The head chef, Wayne Wright recently won the 'Best Public Caterer' award by the BBC Food programme. The judges commented: "What really stood out about Wayne was the immense dedication to his role. ... innovative menus ... ...home cooking but on a big scale."