CME (Continuing Ministerial Education)

Continuing education and training is essential to ensure that Readers are able to adapt and respond to changing circumstances. There is no charge for these events, which are paid for via the annual contribution that a Readers' parish makes to the Readers Association.

The CME Committee are Readers and they work with the Chair Person, Rev. Liz Howlett, to plan and run the CME (Continuing Ministerial Education) programme.  This programme follows a set of themes with on a four year cycle with three training days a year.   Every Three years (or so) there is a special training day with the Bishop.

Each Readers' CME training day seeks to offer something for both experienced and newly licenced Readers.  They are also spread around the diocese.

Funeral Training takes place each year in the summer, normally in mid June.

 Themes in the cycle include:
•   Ministry in daily life;
•   Spirituality;
•   Preaching;
•   Worship and Prayer;
•   Lay Education in the Parish;
•   Theology.

Ideas being considered for future Readers' CME events are:
•   Music in Worship.
•   Other faiths.
•   Chaplaincies and roles outside church.
•   Fellowship weekend.

Additional topics are introduced from time to time as the need is perceived.

There was a training day on music and prayer in worship in May 2006.   You can view photographs of the prayer stations created.

The pictures shown below are from a CME training Day held in at Temple Balsall in April 2007.  The theme of the day was "Responding to the Spiritual Needs of Older People".  Temple Balsall provided a very special environment;  A place apart but close to Birmingham.

The Old Hall, Temple Balsall	Lunch Time
Discussion over coffee

Other events available for Reader CME Training include:
•   Quiet days.
•   Growing Gifts Programme.
•   Selected clergy training days.
•   Bereavement Visiting: 10 Monday Evenings.
•   Introduction to Theology: Spring and Summer.
      Contact: Andrea Stevens   0121 426 0400       A.Stevens@Birmingham.Anglican.org
•   Certificate in Children's Work.
      Contact: Jo Musson              0121 426 0400      J.Musson@Birmingham.Anglican.org

Any comments or suggestions to the Board of Ministries at the Diocesan Office.  For the latest information or to book a place on a Readers' CME Training Day please contact:

Andrea Stevens
Diocesan Office
175 Harborne Park Road
Birmingham
B17 0BH
  0121 426 0400            A.Stevens@Birmingham.Anglican.org