NEWS

Thandar Tun 9/9/26 Thandar Tun 9/9/26

CoNNECT III: How to Train Your Chaplain, 4th March 2027

Please hold the date for CoNNECT III: How to Train Your Chaplain.

Date: 4th March 2027

Expert pastoral, spiritual and religious care requires ways of being that are difficult to define. The use of self and need for professional formation, including deep reflection and personal exploration, make it hard to break a chaplain’s work down into a series of capabilities.

As with previous CoNNECT days, our aim is to bring together practitioners, educators, researchers, and those involved in supporting, developing, and providing chaplaincy and pastoral care across different contexts. Taking in views from across those different perspectives, the day aims to investigate the knowledge, skills and behaviour that a chaplain might be expected to develop or inhabit, exploring where this is shared language and where there are differences.

With our tongues somewhat in cheek, part of the day will ask whether the ability to make a cup of tea/coffee is an essential chaplaincy skill. As part of that, we’d love to have several short stories as part of the day where the offering of a cuppa led to the deepening of a pastoral care opportunity. Please let us know if you’ve such a story you’d like to share.

Thandar Tun 3/10/26 Thandar Tun 3/10/26

A chance to join the CoNNECT II online, 12th March 2026

CoNNECT II

Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research

12th March 2026 · 10:30am - 4:30pm, Lumen United Reformed Church & Community Centre URC, 88 Tavistock Place London WC1H 9RS

Join us for an inspiring opportunity to connect and network, focusing on the power of case studies. Building on the success of the first CoNNECT day, we invite practitioners, educators, researchers, and all those dedicated to advancing chaplaincy and pastoral care in diverse settings. This day is designed for anyone eager to deepen their understanding of chaplaincy, enhance practices across various contexts, and empower chaplains through collaborative research. Visit here for more information and registration.

A chance to join the CoNNECT II online

In addition to the general admission tickets, we have now set up an online-only ticket at £6. You can visit here for more information and registration.

Thandar Tun 1/19/26 Thandar Tun 1/19/26

CoNNECT II, Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research

Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research,

with input from Andrew Todd

Lumen United Reformed Church & Community Centre, URC London

Thursday, Mar 12 from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

An opportunity to connect and network, with a particular focus around the use of case studies.

As with the first CoNNECT day, we are looking to bring together practitioners, educators, researchers, and those involved in supporting, developing, and providing chaplaincy and pastoral care across different contexts. The day is aimed at all those who are interested in understanding chaplaincy, developing practice across different contexts, and supporting chaplains through participatory research.

Chaplaincy is at heart relational. The day will share details of a Case Study project from the Netherlands and the idea of ‘living human encounters’ which emerged from it. As a way of connecting our stories, there will be an opportunity to share and reflect on pastoral encounters, offering a taste of case study research.

The final part of the day will be an optional session for those who would be interested in forming a steering group to develop ideas for a Case Study project and a potential pilot research community within that.

Alongside Sarah Lane Cawte, Mark Newitt and Bob Wilson, we are delighted that Andrew Todd will help us facilitate the day. Andrew is Director of the Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology and Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University and the Cambridge Theological Federation. Andrew brings a wealth of experience, having previously coordinated the Centre for Contemporary Spirituality at Sarum College and, prior to that, he set up and ran the Cardiff Centre for Chaplaincy Studies. Andrew is a practical theologian and ethnographer who has researched and published on chaplaincy and related issues in religion and public life.

Thandar Tun 5/23/25 Thandar Tun 5/23/25

Nourishing Roots with Catherine Todd – ‘Silence Inside’

A day of reflection, restoration and retreat for chaplains with Catherine Todd – ‘Silence Inside’

Date and time: Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:00 - 16:00 GMT

Location: The Garden Room, Quaker Meeting House, John Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SJ

Please join us on Wednesday, 19th November at the Quaker Meeting House, John Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SJ.

Nourishing Roots retreat days, held three times a year, are an opportunity for chaplains in healthcare, prisons, education and beyond to retreat, reflect and recharge spiritually and emotionally from their challenging ministry contexts.

Catherine Todd will lead the day. She has worked in prison chaplaincy since 2007 in various prisons and now works nationally, supporting chaplaincy in the Youth Custody estate. Previously, she has worked in parish ministry, midwifery and nursing. She has also trained as a psychotherapist. Her particular interest is in experiential spirituality, of meeting the holy in the moment, wherever and whatever that moment is like. Silence is a good medium for this, and the day will very much be based in silence, with attentive, deep listening practices.

Tickets cost £15 for FCG Chaplains or £25 for non-FCG Chaplains. Please contact Mark Newitt at mark.newitt@freechurches.org.uk for FCG Chaplains ticket. note that refunds can be issued up to 7 days beforehand, but for catering reasons not beyond that date.

Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay

Thandar Tun 3/27/25 Thandar Tun 3/27/25

Nourishing Routes - at the Loreto Centre, Llandudno - with Rev Bob Wilson

A day of walking and spiritual reflection based in the stunning hills of Llandudno, North Wales, with time at the Loreto Centre.

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 10:00 - 16:00, Loreto Centre, Abbey Road, Llandudno, LL30 2EL

Please join us on Thursday 17 July at the Loreto Centre in Llandudno, North Wales, for our next Nourishing Roots event - 'Nourishing Routes'.

This retreat will be based at the Loreto Spirituality Centre near the stunning coastline of Llandudno, and will include times of reflection alongside guided walks around Great Orme and the surrounding area.

The day will be led by Rev. Bob Wilson, Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Advisor. Bob is a Baptist minister and Free Churches Faith Advisor to both publicly and privately run prisons. This work sees him regularly visiting all 124 establishments across England and Wales for the pastoral support of Prison Chaplains, and to support prison management. He is also a keen rock climber and outdoors enthusiast, and has many years experience in helping chaplains retreat and reflect on ministry.

The ticket price is £15 for chaplains from FCG denominations and £25 for all others. (Please ask Thandar <thandar.tun@freechurches.org.uk> for an FCG Chaplains discount code).

Please note that refunds can be issued up to 7 days beforehand, but for catering reasons not beyond that date.

The Loreto Centre may be able to offer a limited amount of accommodation before or after the retreat day. Please note on your sign-up form if you are interested in this.