Diocesan News
Curates’ Retreat A First For CME Programme
Curates and CME team members in the grounds of Rydal Hall. Photo: The Ven Stephen Forde
For the first time curates from across Ireland came together for a period of retreat as part of the Continuing Ministerial Education programme.
A total of 26 curates travelled from parishes as far apart as Limavady in Derry Diocese to Douglas in Cork Diocese, and from Castlederg and Kesh parishes in the west to Ballyholme and Waterford in the east.
With them were members of the CME team, including the new Central Director of CME, the Revd Jennifer McWhirter; Belfast Regional Co–ordinator the Revd Denise Acheson; Laurie Randall of the pastoral support group, and the Bishop of Connor the Revd Alan Abernethy along with the Archdeacons of Connor and Dalriada. The retreat was led by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann.
It took place at Rydal Hall in the English Lake District and ran from Tuesday April 23 – Friday April 26.
Dean Mann led five sessions on the topic ‘a view from the spiritual edgeland.’ There was time for reflection and prayer during each session and every evening, while the afternoons were free time which group members used for walking, jogging, shopping or simply reading, resting and enjoying each other’s company.
Denise said: “This was the first all–Ireland retreat for curates and they really appreciated it as it gave them the chance to get to know their counterparts.”
She said the all–Ireland CME programme had been designed to standardise training for curates across the church.
“Previously different dioceses delivered different programmes,” she said. “CME builds on the components laid down during training at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.”
The groundwork for the new programme of CME was carried out by Andrew McNeile and it will be delivered by Jennifer McWhirter who will work closely with the Director of the Theological Institute, Dr Maurice Elliott, and the House of Bishops.
The Dublin Regional Co–ordinator is the Revd Janice Aiton. The CME regional groups meet four times a year and all curates attend an intensive study week at Theological Institute.
Photo: Curates and CME team members in the grounds of Rydal Hall. Photo: The Ven Stephen Forde.
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
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