Tag: Clergy wellbeing
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International Buy a Priest a Beer Day 2022
By Rebecca McLean I recently found out about some heartwarming feedback that one of our hardworking priests received from a parishioner. The following kind sentiments were unexpectedly emailed to The Rev’d Ann Edwards: “My words cannot fully explain how much balm it is to my soul that we have in you a priest who respects…
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How do you “frame” your weekly day off from ministry?
How do you “frame” your weekly day off from ministry? By Rebecca McLean, Wellbeing and Development Officer, Parishes and Other Mission Agencies Commission I recently spoke to a clergyperson in our Diocese who is the parish priest of a thriving church and who is known for being incredibly capable, organised, calm and focused. So it…
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Professional supervision isn’t expensive, it’s priceless!
Professional supervision isn’t expensive, it’s priceless! By The Rev’d David Browne: Two years ago, I was feeling a big lost. A bit meh…and tired. Sometimes big things in life get me down in a moment. However, more often I find that many little cumulating disappointments can weigh me down over a long period of time…
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Professional supervision: a brave, safe space
Professional supervision: a brave, safe space By The Rev’d Dr Geoff Broughton. Professional/pastoral supervision is the brave, safe space where clergy (and other ministry workers) reflect on their ministry practice in a regular, planned supervision session. I am writing this feature straight after a session with one of my regular supervisees, which provides an immediate…
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I get locked down, but I get up again
I get locked down, but I get up again By Bishop Jeremy Greaves With all of the bad news that tends to dominate our feeds, the Tokyo Olympics seem a distant memory. For a couple of weeks, however, they brought plenty of moments of joy to so many people in lockdown or experiencing restrictions because…
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How Clergy Thrive: Insights from Living Ministry
By The Rev’d Dr Imelda O’Loughlin: The notion that clergy need to look after themselves alone is at risk of becoming the dominant narrative if we don’t pause and reflect on the systemic nature of a problem that is the responsibility of all in our Church. A healthy Church requires healthy clergy and calls us…
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From ‘Lost Boy of Sudan’ to Bishop to counselling undergrad
By Bishop Daniel Abot: In 2005 while working for Anglicare, I was given a return ticket to South Sudan (where I am originally from) and Kenya (where I was priested and served as a youth leader in a refugee camp). The trip was for four weeks. While there, I was a witness to the signing…
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Blessings from a nine-month long conversation
By The Ven. Michael Faragher: In 2019, I was approached to take part in a clergy professional supervision pilot program, organised by the Parishes and other Mission Agencies Commission. Initially, I was reluctant – the 60-hour week of caring for my parish, Archdeacon duties and somehow fitting in time for my family all weighed against…
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A New Lease of Life? Anglican Clergy Reflect on Retirement
By Bishop Bill Ray: “One of these [long retired] priests had already been serving his Tractarian parish for over fifty years. He smiled that he was already over seventy when the retirement legislation came into force, so clearly that was irrelevant for him” (p.1). This was the reaction of one priest when the Church of…
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Flourish: one way we care for our people
By Stephen Harrison: The Anglican Church Southern Queensland (ACSQ) offers clergy, staff, chaplains and pastoral carers and formation students, along with eligible members of their households*, free access to Flourish, a wellbeing programme provided by external consultant, LifeWorks. Flourish offers a range of services, including up to six one-hour confidential counselling services per year, with…