CoNNECT II, Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research

Exploring Story: Chaplaincy - Reflection - Research,

write 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 a looking to bring together practitioners, educators and 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 Netherland and the idea of ‘living human encounters’ which emerged from it. As a way of connecting our stories there will be opportunity to share and reflection on pastoral encounters getting 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 potential pilot research community within that.

Alongside Sarah Lane-Cawte, Mark Newitt and Bob Wilson we are delighted that Andrew Todd will be helping us facilitating 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, set up and ran the Cardiff Centre for Chaplaincy Studies. Andrew is a practical theologian and ethnographer and has researched and published on chaplaincy and related issues of religion in public life.

New Year Greetings from the Moderator of the Free Churches Group

Happy New Year!

New Year Greetings in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate the final week of the Christmas season and approach Epiphany, may we recognise that we are summoned to be courageous followers of Christ in the midst of life’s uncertainty. Isaiah 60:1 tells us: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of God rises upon you”. The Magi journeyed with courage through uncertainty, guided by a light that drew them beyond comfort into discovery, reverence, and transformation (Matthew 2:1–12). Epiphany carries that same invitation for us.

This season opens a space for deep reflection: the kind of inner work where faith, honesty, healing, and courage meet. God shapes the heart quietly over time, yet the journey of faith always moves toward embodied living. The light of Christ does more than warm us; it forms us. It calls us to live with intention, to carry Christ’s compassion into public life, to mirror Christ’s grace in how we speak, act, lead, and serve.

Each of us carries a distinct story, a distinct calling, a distinct responsibility within community. Our lives will not unfold in uniform ways. The Spirit shapes unique actions, unique gifts, unique witness. Yet all of it serves God’s purpose among us: faith that honours truth, love that heals, justice that lifts, mercy that restores, hope that steadies communities and souls.

So as Epiphany unfolds, may this year become one of reflectiveness that leads to courageous living. May we recognise the light Christ brings to our lives and allow that light to guide our choices, align our commitments, and deepen our discipleship. May we live as people who reveal something of God’s presence through who we are and how we act.

“And all of us…seeing the glory of God as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed” (2 Corinthians 3:18). May this transformation move gently through our hearts and boldly through our lives.

Wishing us all God’s grace, courage, and blessings for the journey ahead,

Sincerely yours,

Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson

Adolescence: a free webinar for churches, 16th Sept 2025, 16:30 - 18:00

An opportunity to explore and respond to the urgent issues exposed by the Netflix drama, Adolescence, and their implications for churches.

Adolescence: a free webinar for churches, 16th September 2025, 16:30 - 18:00

join us for an insightful webinar for churches centred on understanding and responding to the urgent issues exposed by Netflix’s critically acclaimed series Adolescence.

This four-episode, single-take British drama follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, accused of murdering a classmate, and probes the devastating impact of toxic masculinity, online radicalisation, cyberbullying, peer pressure, knife crime, and the digital pressures facing boys today. Co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, the series is praised for its emotional realism and raw performances and serves as a powerful conversation starter about youth vulnerability, responsibility, and healing within our communities.

In this webinar for church leaders, parents, and youth workers, we will explore implications for engaging with young people in a rapidly changing digital world.

You can register your place here.  

For more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with Sarah Lane Cawte at sarah.lane.cawte@freechurches.org.uk

This event flyer is available to download here.

Extended Time to take part in the National Churches Survey 2025

The National Churches Trust is conducting a major survey to better understand the challenges faced by those who care for the UK’s 38,500 churches. This is an excellent opportunity to gather valuable information on how church buildings across England and Wales are used to support their communities. 

So far, there has been a strong response to the National Churches Survey, with around 2,200 responses. However, the National Churches Trust is keen to increase that number to ensure the survey has the greatest impact. 

The deadline has therefore been extended to Sunday, 13th July. This will be the final date for responses. We encourage anyone who has not yet participated to take this opportunity to do so.  We are particularly eager to see Free Churches represented in the survey. 

Please see below a short message from the National Churches Trust, including a link to take part:   

If you work or volunteer at a church, chapel or meeting house, we want to hear from you. You response will provide essential evidence to build a clearer picture – to tell a stronger, more informed story about your church, and others like it, so that together we can address some of the biggest challenges facing churches and help ensure their future. Please take part now in The National Churches Survey to give your place of worship a voice.

Os ydych yn gweithio neu’n gwirfoddoli mewn eglwys, capel neu dy gyfarfod, rydym eisiau clywed gennych chi. Bydd eich ymateb yn darparu tystiolaeth hanfodol i adeiladu darlun cliriach – i adrodd stori gryfach, fwy gwybodus am eich eglwys chi, ac eraill tebyg, fel y gallwn fynd i’r afael gyda’n gilydd â rhai o’r heriau mwyaf sy’n wynebu eglwysi a helpu i sicrhau eu dyfodol.Cymerwch ran yn Arolwg Cenedlaethol yr Eglwysi. 

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.

Register your place HERE.

Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay