Reflect and Refresh Workshop for Chaplains

Reflect and Refresh Workshop for Chaplains

Tuesday 14 May 3-6pm in person event

Reflect, discuss, feel refreshed in your ministry

CWC is excited to be offering a new type of event for Chaplains taking place on Tuesday 14 May. This interactive event will give Chaplains the chance to reflect on their faith and learnings and the opportunity to network with peers.

The workshop will be a mixture of sharing experiences, reflecting on our collective ministries and designed to inspire and help you process your learning so far. Activities will be relaxed and based around informal conversations and guest speaker slots.

Format:

The main part of the session will be small groups (3,4,5) around tables with conversation starter cards.

We will also feature different Plenary sessions and questions. Networking and refreshments will be provided.

About your speakers:

SHARON GRENHAM-THOMPSON

I was born in Hampshire and raised in Surrey and North London. After school in North London, I studied Law at Reading University, and then qualified as a solicitor in 1992. By then I had already perceived a call to church ministry and, following training in Bristol, I was ordained in the Church of England in 1998.

Since then, I’ve worked in a variety of parishes, and also spent several years as a full-time prison chaplain. In 2004 I began work with 12 – 17 year olds as the first chaplain in the newly opened Oakhill STC in Milton Keynes, then moved on to be the Resettlement Chaplain at HMP Woodhill, a Cat A male prison in Milton Keynes. I was then promoted to Managing Chaplain at HMP Bedford (men, Cat B), where I looked after a large multi-faith team, serving prisoners and staff, before returning to parish ministry in 2016.

During my training for ministry I did a 3 month placement as a hospital chaplain, and since ordination I have also been a police chaplain, and offered chaplaincy services in a large retirement living complex, all alongside my full time day job.

In 2023 we moved from Milton Keynes for me to take up a new post in Suffolk, as the rector of four rural parishes.

I’ve also been a radio broadcaster for the past 23 years, contributing to BBC Religion and Ethics programming via Radio 2, Radio 4 and local radio. I’m a published writer, and my book, ‘Jail Bird’ (about Prison Chaplaincy) was published in 2016 by Lion Hudson. I have written libretto for a number of composers, published by Encore Publications.

I’m married to Richard. My daughter, Ellie (33), is a translator and lives in Nottingham. My son Gabriel (17) is currently studying History at Cardiff University. My other son, Leo, died aged 17 in 2021.

I have run a marathon and several half marathons in the past, but I’m currently struggling to find my form again. I enjoy sailing our Beneteau yacht with Richard, walking in the Lakes, and watching Nordic Noir and disaster movies on TV!

RICHARD GRENHAM-THOMPSON

I’m a Suffolk boy who has spent occasional periods of exile in other parts of the country. God’s providence (or ironic sense of humour) has brought me back to the village where I spent my early years growing up. The village has changed little in the intervening 50 years; I hope I have.

After leaving school at the first opportunity, I worked for a heavy engineering company building cranes, and later moved on to the design office. However, my interest in things spiritual prevailed and I offered myself for ordained ministry. Following Theological College I served as a curate in Southend on Sea before becoming vicar in Ipswich.

Parish ministry wasn’t a comfortable fit for either side and before long I found myself in prison – as a chaplain. This was both a wonderful and challenging experience that lasted almost 20 years and led me to work with prisoners of all ages and categories. I still maintain that I learned more about God from them, than they did from me. During this time, I worked with others to develop support sessions called Time Out for teenage lads struggling with low self-esteem and self-harm, a course for adults helping them make sense of bereavement and other losses in their lives, as well as working at a regional level supporting prison chaplaincy teams.

Ultimately, I recognised the need for a change and trained as a Marine Surveyor. I am now self-employed spending my time inspecting boats. Alongside my paid work I help out in the parishes where Sharon (my wife) is Rector. My main focus of ministry is as a Spiritual Director helping people discern where God might be leading through their prayer life. I have also served as a Waterways Chaplain and am professed in the Third Order of St Francis.

My marriage to Sharon is my second time around. From my first marriage I have two children and three grandchildren. The great loves of my life are sailing and walking – both of which I find equally spiritual as well as enjoyable (not to suggest that the two are mutually exclusive.)

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING INFORMATION

The entrance to St Mary's is situated in New Road, Peterborough, a short walk from the city centre and easily accessible by road. If you are using SatNav, our postcode is PE1 1TT. Some limited parking is available at the church and there is plenty of parking in the surrounding area.

The nearest car parks are in Brook Street and Wellington Street. For full details of local parking click here to go to the Parkopedia website. Please go to our Parking page for more details.