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.  

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.

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.

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

The Free Churches Group welcomes a new Moderator

On the evening of 13th April, the American International Church on Tottenham Court Road, London, hosted a special service to mark the induction of the 62nd Moderator of the Free Churches Group (FCG). The church, a local church of the United Reformed Church, was filled with representatives of FCG Group Members, along with Tessa’s family, friends and supporters, who enjoyed a reception before the service began.

 The central focus of the service was the formal induction ceremony. Revd Helen Cameron, who has faithfully served as Moderator for the last three years, welcomed Tessa into her new role. After formally asking her “Will you endeavour to fulfil the duties of the office to the glory of God?” Tessa responded, “I will, God being my helper.”

Helen presented Tessa with the medal of office and a specially commissioned preaching stole, which she had worn to the King’s Coronation while representing the Free Churches.

 Tessa expressed heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported her and will continue to do so as she exercises this important ministry. She was formally greeted by representatives from each Group Member, from Churches Together in England, Cytûn, and finally by Revd Paul Rochester, General Secretary of the FCG.

 Tessa’s inaugural message as Moderator focused on diversity and generosity. After singing the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” and a prayer time, the church’s organist played a composition by Florence Price, an African-American composer.

 The service ended with an expression of gratitude to Revd Helen Cameron for her exemplary service as Moderator. The congregation joined in singing “You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.”

We are delighted to welcome Revd Tessa Henry-Robinson as the new Moderator of the FCG and are grateful for Revd Helen Cemeron's faithful leadership over the past three years.

 We hope you will join us in praying for both of them as they enter into new phases of their respective ministries.

There will be fuller coverage of the Induction in due course, but you can find out more about Revd Tessa here. Please follow this link for Tessa’s inaugural message. You can watch the service Here.

 A thank you from Paul Rochester, Free Churches Group General Secretary

 I personally want to thank the FCG Group Members for supporting the Induction Service for Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson. We had great support from across the Free Churches, and I know that Tessa and her family were grateful for that. It was wonderful to be with you all, and I wish to thank God for an inspiring and comforting service. God is doing a great work in our world despite all the challenges we face. I hope that the Free Churches will continue to pray and seek God’s will so that we can fully participate in God’s mission, as it pleases Him.

 I want to formally thank Revd Helen Cameron for her work. It was inspirational to work with her, and I saw up close the many sacrifices she made to support and spearhead the FCG's work.

 I am sure that Helen will continue to be a great advocate for the FCG and the work we do. She will continue on the Board and support the FCG as the past Moderator.

 Let us pray for Tessa in her new role and remember Helen's work with fondness.

Photo credit: Andy Jackson/URC