Ministers’ Retreat 27th -30th September 2026
For a time of Doing and Being (Learning, fellowship, worship and reflection) With special guests Dave Tomlinson (Author of How to be a Bad Christian) and Sylvia Jones and Fiona Parratt (Shoes for the Journey)
Welcome! A warm welcome awaits you as you arrive at our Minister’s residential retreat. Our three-night residential will provide a mix of fellowship, worship, learning, reflection and an opportunity to recharge your batteries. All in the comfortable setting of Highgate House, with peaceful grounds and meals provided, meaning you can leave feeling refreshed, inspired and spiritfilled!
Arrival information On your arrival at Highgate House you will be welcomed by CF staff, and issued your key-card for your allocated room along with your lanyard, which must be warn throughout the event. You will find that there is plenty of free parking at Highgate house. There two electric car chargers, which can be found at the far end of the car park under the tree close to the accommodation wing. Please ensure that you have informed us of any dietary or other needs on your booking form so that these can be accommodated. CF organisers (Yvonne Campbell, Catherine Booton and Stephen Haward) are attending the event, and are on hand if you have any questions. Highgate House staff will be available to assist with any queries about the accommodation and hospitality.
The Programme A time of Doing and Being
The programme for our retreat has been carefully planned to offer you a mix of activities, interesting and engaging talks, along with time for worship, fellowship and relaxation. Please remember that this retreat is for you. Therefore, although you are encouraged to attend the sessions, you are not obliged to take part in any of them. You may feel that you would benefit more from quiet reflection, reading or walking in the grounds etc - the choice is yours!
Who are our Speakers? Dave Tomlinson Dave has had a diverse career in ministry and writing. He was a prominent figure in the House Church movement before becoming an Anglican priest. He is currently the vicar of St Luke's Church in Holloway, North London. Tomlinson is also known for founding Holy Joe's, a church in a pub aimed at disaffected churchgoers seeking a more inclusive and open spiritual community. Tomlinson has authored several influential books that explore themes of faith, spirituality, and the challenges of modern Christianity. Some of his notable works include: The Post-Evangelical How to Be a Bad Christian- And a Better Human Being Re-enchanting Christianity
Sylvia Jones
Sylvia is on the pathway to accredited ministry with the Baptist Union of Scotland. For the last 5 years she has been part of the leadership team of a Baptist Church in the Scottish Borders which has involved balancing the demands of ministry whilst completing her studies for a Batchelor of Divinity at Scottish Baptist College and dealing with the effects of a life limiting medical condition. Sylvia admits that life and ministry continue to be a journey of learning and discovery. Sylvia is passionate about helping people understand that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and are deeply loved, called and gifted by God to take their place in His redemption story. Her desire is to see people within the church and beyond connect with God in increasingly meaningful ways so that they experience a little bit of heaven on the way to heaven. In her ‘spare’ time Sylvia enjoys time with her husband, Andy, walks with her rescue Border Collie, Toby, and having good coffee and lovely meals with friends and family.
Fiona Parratt Fiona is the Children and Families’ Pastor at Boclair Community Church in Glasgow, which is a union of two Churches of Scotland. In that very varied role she helps run SU groups in the two local primary schools, is involved in a toddler group and Community Café and has set up a Messy Church style group for children called Ignite.
She also works one day a week in Administration and Student Support at the Scottish Baptist College, where she studied as an extremely mature student for a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology with Pastoral Studies and first met Sylvia! Prior to returning to study, she worked as a teacher, a child minder and a Children’s Worker with young people with additional support needs. Like Sylvia, Fiona is deeply committed helping people more fully own their identity as beloved children of God. She recently completed a Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living course through the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow, which has opened up new ways of connecting with God in daily life.
Richard Cleaves Richard, a Minister of Congregational Federation churches latterly in Cheltenham, taught New Testament at the Congregational Institute for Practical Theology. Since Gloucester's 1997 celebration of its foundation as colonia he has researched the world of the New Testament in Roman Britain and caught the imagination of adults and children in his preaching and teaching. In his workshop, he will hope to inspire us to read the New Testament in the context of early Roman Britain. Mike Royal Mike has been the General Secretary of Churches Together in England since May 1st, 2022. He is a Pentecostal Bishop with the Apostolic Pastoral Congress and has been involved in various roles that have contributed to the church's mission and community engagement. His academic background includes urban planning and black theology, and he has a background in forensic mental health chaplaincy. His work extends beyond the church, as he is also involved in social justice advocacy and has been instrumental in various community initiatives. In his workshop he will introduce us to some of the new CTE bible study resources now available.
Accommodation An en-suite room has been reserved for you in accordance with your booking form.
All meals are provided and a coffee lounge is available for all guests where complimentary tea and coffee are available from 8am-8pm every day. A bar is available for socialising from 6pm to 10.30pm. Payments for this is by debit or credit card only. Scan the QR code for a map of the centre
All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, which are replenished daily. Towels, bedding, hairdryers and toiletries are provided, but please note that there are no televisions in the bedrooms (there are televisions in social spaces). Free wifi is available throughout the venue. Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings, including vaping. You are welcome to explore the extensive grounds in your free time, and a fully equipped gym is also available for guests to use. There is disabled access to the conference rooms, and hearing loops are provided. For answers to more frequently asked questions, please use the QR code below.
Getting there Highgate House, Grooms Lane, Creaton, Northampton NN6 8NN T. 0300 111 4444 E. highgatehouse@cct.org.uk what3words – ///redeemed.adjusting.goods By road Highgate House is situated in the village of Creaton, Northamptonshire, approximately 8 miles north of Northampton and 5 miles from the A14, which links Kettering to the M6 and M1 motorways. By rail Northampton train station is approximately 8 miles to the south and provides regular services to London Euston and Birmingham New Street with journey times of circa one hour and one hour five minutes, respectively.
Feedback We hope you enjoyed the Ministers' Retreat and have returned home rested, refreshed and inspired! This is the first residential event we have held for ministers in a number of years, so your feedback is important to help us ensure that future events meet your needs and run smoothly. Please use the QR code below to complete the short online feedback form. Your feedback is anonymous so please be as honest as possible.
Notes
With thanks to: The Annie and Nellie Morton Trust The Coward Trust The Congregational Federation For their support with this event.