Three Notts clergy receive bursaries for study-leave

Three Nottinghamshire clergymen have been awarded a total of £6,000 in ministry bursary money from Ecclesiastical Insurance Group.

The Revd John Fisher, vicar of Burton Joyce with Bulcote and Stoke Bardolph, the Revd Dr Richard Kellett, vicar of Skegby with Teversal and the Revd Dr Howard Worsley, Director of Education for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, all received grants towards time spent away from their regular posts in the form of a sabbatical.

John Fisher, who received £1,500 toward a two-part project, in which he will take part in training in the art of spiritual accompaniment and will also look at art as a method of Christian outreach. John plans to take part in a retreat and visit artists, art galleries, along with doing relevant research and reading.

Richard Kellett, vicar of Skegby with Teversal and Area Dean of Newstead received £3,500 in a bursary towards his sabbatical project which will look at shared ministry in the Diocese of Christchurch in New Zealand and how it has helped the area's mission and ministry. Richard is currently visiting congregations in new Zealand and hopes the research will enable future strategy for mission in the Newstead area.

The third clergyman to receive an award was the Revd Dr Howard Worsley who is currently crossing the sahara on a motor bike as part of his sebbatical leave. Howard, who is the Director of Education for the diocese, received his £1,000 bursary to fund research into how stories are told and how children interpret them, with the aim of encouraging greater interest in using Bible stories.

Altogether 34 members of the clergy from 19 dioceses received awards this year. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Ministry Bursary Awards. Since 1987, more than 600 clergy have received bursaries to support study and sabbaticals in the UK and abroad.

ends