Clergy Conference educational, enlightening and entertaining
by Ana Watts
The annual Clergy Conference at Rothesay Netherwood School (RNS) the last week of August “Hit the mark,” according to the Ven. Vicars Hodge, Nikolosi and Langmaidof the Nerepis and St. John. The Rev. 
Gary Nicolosi, expert in congregational development and this year’s guest speaker, “fit the bill as someone who could assist our Nicodemus priority of ‘training our leaders for a different future.’”
The Rev. Paul Ranson, Saint John Inner City Ministry, agrees. “Gary was a dynamic and passionate speaker. He focused on the need for the church to re-evaluate her methods of communicating the Gospel in order to connect with our post-Christian culture.”
“I found the suggestions and ideas very helpful and confirming,” says the Rev. Canon Keith Osborne, Pennfield. “Although it was nothing new, it was good to be reminded and strengthened in the resolve to re-package our message and bring our ministry to bear in more creative ways. I feel that as clergy we are now better prepared to be and to lead the Church in our post modern context.”
“They (Clergy Conferences) just keep getting better each year,” says the Rev. Chris McMullen, Lancaster.
Clearly the professional development aspect of the conference was a success, but there was more.
“I was pleased with the time we had with Bishop Claude,” says Mr. Ranson. “His talk was thoughtful, encouraging and pastoral.”
Several clergy also mentioned the depth of their fellowship was enhanced at this conference, especially in times of prayer.
“The highlights for me were the times of spontaneous prayer and laying-on-of hands … for Stone Church, our various colleagues serving as chaplains, the bishop, Geoff Hall, and the synod staff, among others,” says Mr. McMullen.
He also appreciated the prayer partnerships arranged by the Rev. Eileen Irish of Portland. “She put all the clergy names in a hat and we each drew one. We will pray for that person daily for the next year, contacting them to see how they are doing and what we can pray about for them. Next year we will draw names again and choose new partners.”
“In addition to all this, our times of common prayer were, for the most part, creative, worshipful and inspiring,” says Mr. Ranson. “And to top it all off — our annual co-ed clergy basketball game was fun, intense and there are no fatalities to report. It was a win on all sides!”
