Around 200 clergy from across the Diocese of Guildford came together at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick from 12–14 May for the 2026 Triennial Clergy Conference — a time of worship, learning, encouragement and renewed vision for ministry in a changing world.
The Triennial Clergy Conference, held every three years, is a significant moment in the life of the diocese: a chance for clergy from many different contexts to step back from the demands of daily ministry, meet together, and reflect on God’s calling for the Church in this season.
This year’s gathering, themed Rooted & Reaching: Church for a Changing World, brought together self-supporting and stipendiary clergy, including incumbents, associate ministers, curates and chaplains. Across the three days, the conference offered space not only for teaching and discussion, but also for worship, fellowship and rest.
In his opening address, Bishop Paul shared that in his final weeks, Bishop Andrew had wanted the clergy gathered to know that he “would be cheering them on from the Heavenly realms”. Bishop Paul reiterated his three priorities for the diocese — prayer, pastoral care and discipleship, including revitalisation — and highlighted his forthcoming Bishop’s Gatherings, taking place across the deaneries between May and July, as opportunities to meet, worship and pray together. In one particularly powerful moment of prayer later in the conference, clergy were invited to lay hands on Bishop Paul and pray as he steps into this next season of leadership as acting Bishop of Guildford. He reflected afterwards that the prayers completely outshone his previous six installations and consecrations.
The programme combined rich Biblical teaching with practical encouragement for mission. The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, offered Bible teaching on Esther and Ruth, highlighting their leadership and the importance of showing the kindness of the Lord to the outsider. The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton, led three sessions on mixed ecology and her experience of it in the benefice of Ipswich. The Church of England uses the term Mixed Ecology to describe expressions of church designed to connect with every person in our parishes. Mixed Ecology includes and values both inherited forms of church and newer expressions.
As Bishop Rhiannon reminded clergy, at its heart, this is about meeting people where they are, sharing the Gospel, and setting people on a journey of discipleship, with the hope that they, in turn, will be ignited by the Spirit to share the Gospel with others.
Further sessions included reflections from Dr Rob Barward-Symmons of the Bible Society on evidence for an increased spiritual hunger across the generations and Dr Liz Graveling and the Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls from the Clergy Support Trust on wellbeing.
Revd Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana led the final inspirational and challenging session on cross-cultural mission. Israel gave a thought-provoking theological basis for all our racial justice work, including case studies that could be used with PCCs as part of their own reflection.
Amid the many signs of encouragement, there was recognition of the many challenges that clergy are facing. Chaplains were available for the duration of the conference to pray and just chat with people. As recently announced by Bishop Paul, Archdeacon Catharine will lead on a key Diocesan commitment to clergy wellbeing.
Worship throughout the conference was led by a range of clergy from across the diocese, reflecting a breadth of traditions and styles. There was also the launch of an updated Racial Justice Covenant and Anti-Racism Toolkit by Umair Asif, Mission Enabler for Racial Diversity, and interviews with diocesan partners Revd Lone Primdahl Dolmer from the Diocese of Viborg in Denmark and Bishop Alwin from the Diocese of Sialkot in Pakistan, both attending in person.
Alongside the main sessions, there was plenty of time for conversation and relaxation, from evening drinks, football and a planned walk, to a quiz night and a formal dinner, where the Very Revd Bob Cooper, Dean of Guildford, ably stepped in as an impromptu after-dinner speaker.
Warm, thoughtful and hope-filled, the conference offered clergy a timely reminder that as the Church remains rooted in Christ, it is also called to keep reaching out with confidence, creativity and compassion to a changing world.