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Spouses' Conference 2008 - God's People for God's Mission.
Conference aim - to equip bishops' spouses for their varying roles and contexts. The sharing of stories will be a fundamental way of achieving this.
The following subjects will be addressed during the Conference:
- Who is ‘the bishops’ spouse’? How to be effective in that role
- Who is our family? Upholding close relationships
- Our world and context: the leadership challenges facing us
- Our own and others’ health and personal development
Conference Programme
- 10-15 Jul
- 16 Jul
- 17-18 Jul
- 19 Jul
- 20 Jul
- 21-23 Jul
- 24-26 Jul
- 27 Jul
- 28 Jul-1 Aug
- 2-3 Aug
Pre-Conference - The Hospitality Initiative
Every bishop and spouse coming to the Lambeth and Spouses' Conference is invited to enjoy the hospitality of an English, Scottish or Welsh diocese. Almost all those who wish to take part should now have been 'allocated' to a host diocese.
Arrivals in Canterbury and Welcome
Once delegates have found their rooms and registered, an official Welcome to the conference will take place at 17.30.
GATHERING
July 17
How to tell our stories: telling my story and listening to others
July 18
Who are you and what have you left behind?
FIRST HALF: THE MANY PARTS OF ME
Day 1 - July 19
Family Life
Sunday celebration in Canterbury Cathedral
On this first conference Sunday, all bishops and spouses will worship together in Canterbury Cathedral.
PART ONE: THE MANY PARTS OF ME
Day 2 - July 21
Married Life
Day 3 - July 22
My Life 1#
Day 4 - July 23
My Life 2#
London Day
The bishops and their spouses spend the day in London. Activities include being hosted by The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Williams at Lambeth Palace and by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
PART TWO - MY PLACE IN GOD'S WORLD
Day 1 - July 25
Stewards of God's Earth: the environment
July 26
Conference photographs
Canterbury Day
Bishops, spouses and invited guests will enjoy the hospitality of a Canterbury parish or the Cathedral.
PART TWO - MY PLACE IN GOD'S WORLD
Day 2 - July 28
Charged to be God's Peacemakers: situations of conflict
Day 3 - July 29
Equal in God's Sight: when power is abused. This day will be held jointly with the bishops.
July 30
Excursions and free time
Day 4 - July 31
Caring for God's People: spiritual and physical health
Day 5 - Aug 1
Equipping God's church: empowering ourselves and others for service
DISPERSAL DAYS
August 2
A Part of the Body: practising future unity
August 3
Preparing to leave
After the morning sessions, spouses will join the bishops in a joint closing session followed by worship at the Cathedral.
Daily Schedule
The day will start and end in worship with the Lambeth Conference delegates.
Breakfast and evening meal will be served in accommodation dining halls. Lunch will be flexible: delegates can visit one of many food outlets on campus for a full meal, light snack or whatever they prefer.
The sharing of stories on the Gathering days (July 17 and 18) will be facilitated by Mrs Williams and Margaret Sentamu, wife of the Archbishop of York.
On a typical day, conference business will run as follows:
- 9:30-11:00
- 11:00-12:30
- 14:30-17:30
- Evening
Plenary session
For the first part of the morning, all delegates will gather in the Spouses' Hall.
Seated in groups around tables, spouses will hear from different speakers, join in worship, discuss the day's topic and get to know one another. There will also be opportunities to take part in creative activity.
Translation facilities will be available.
Small group bible study and fellowship
After time all together, spouses will divide into groups of eight for bible study and more intimate discussion. These groups will remain the same throughout the conference and will be put together on the basis of:
- Language
- The need to represent the rich cultural variety in the Anglican Communion.
The bible study material will be based around the I AM statements made by Jesus in John's gospel.
'Track' sessions
Afternoons of the conference will be divided into 'tracks'. Spouses will be able to choose which to attend.
Each track will run throughout the conference and feature at least one afternoon session each day. The track names are:
- Developing Your Skills
- Rediscovering Your World
- Practising Your Spirituality
- Exercising Your Creativity
Some sessions will run over several days. Others will be made up of 'one-off' sessions. The aim is to allow spouses to focus each afternoon on something that inspires/interests/challenges them personally.
Optional fringe events
By the end of a busy conference day, bishops may need some free time: few formal conference activities will take place after the evening meal.
For those who still have the energy for entertainment, fellowship and information, a range of fringe events will be staged each evening. These will include films, theatre, dinners and discussions.
Any delegate, group of delegates or external organisation that wants to stage a fringe event (such as a meal, drinks reception or performance) should contact fringe@lambethconference.org or call +44 (0)207 313 3928.
Evening plenaries
There will be a small number of evening plenary sessions, delivered by a high-profile speaker. These will be open to bishops and spouses.
Other activities
As well as 'ordinary' conference activities, there will be lots of opportunities to go on excursions.
The Conference Marketplace, featuring stalls and shops, will be available all day, every day, from July 21 to August 2.
A quiet space for prayer will also be open from early morning to late evening, situated at the centre of the campus.
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