As the immediacy of the Covid pandemic is passing, many are looking forward to moving on in life and ministry, but it is only now that the full extent of the legacy of the pandemic is becoming apparent in our personal lives, in our churches and in wider society. While some feel ready to face these challenges, many ministers report feeling exhausted, more anxious and vulnerable, and unable to cope with the stresses and strains they may previously have handled well.
Drawing on trauma theory and theology, we will look at what resources we may need, not only to work through the impact of the pandemic but also to face the complex challenges of ministering in increasingly anxious and uncertain times.
KINTSUGI: The Japanese art of repairing what has been broken so that it creates a new piece which is enhanced with the use of precious metals.
Hilary has been in licensed lay ministry since 1980 and ordained ministry since 1987 in parish and sector ministry, theological education and from 2008-2017 as a National Adviser for Selection in the Bishops’ Advisory
Panels for ordained ministry.
Hilary is a Trustee of St Luke’s for Healthy Flourishing Clergy with a particular interest in reflective practice groups for ministers, which she has facilitated in the Diocese of London alongside 1:1 supervision sessions.
Her interest in building resilience in congregations and ministers has been informed through participation in a 3 year research project (2017-20) looking at how better to prepare ministers to cope with tragedy and trauma in congregations. Resources and training days for those in ordained ministry were developed as an outcome from the project and were much appreciated during the Covid pandemic.
For further information, see:
Here is another opportunity to listen to Hilary Ison’s talk and the ensuing discussion:
See also the following handouts:
Engaging Theology in Cumbria 