There are a number of opportunities for clergy to continue their ministerial education and development once they move on from Initial Ministerial Education (IME). On this page you will find details of the upcoming term’s Continuing Ministerial Development programme, along with links to other potential sources of CMD events, information about the Diocese of York’s CMD Grants scheme and further potential sources of CMD funding.
Moving Forward Programme
This programme provides support for new clergy (SSM and stipendiary) in the first two years after completing IME Phase 2. Contact Mandy Coutts, Start of Ordained Ministries Adviser, for more information.
CMD events – Autumn term 2026 at a glance
Further details of these events (including booking information) will be found under individual tabs below, and via the Diocese of York’s fortnightly email The Journal, or by emails sent directly from the Lifelong Learning team.
12/09/2026 10:30am Celebration of Lay Ministries service York Minster
01/10/2026 1:00pm-4:00pm ‘Giving a reason for the hope that is in us’ York Diocesan Office
02/10/2026 7:30pm-9:30pm Lord’s Prayer evening with the Most Revd. Stephen Cottrell St. Martin of Tours, Middlesbrough
05/10/2026 6:30pm-8:30pm Preaching for Missionary Discipleship through the Gospel according to St. Mark online
08/10/2026 time tbc Managing Children and Young Peoples’ Workers York Diocesan Office
09/10/2026-11/10/2026 Licensed Lay Ministers’ CMD Weekend Wydale Hall
17/10/2026 10:00am-3:00pm Vocations Day Emmanuel Church Bridlington
04/11/2026 9:30am-3:30pm Anna Chaplaincy Conference Beverley Minster
26/11/2026 10:00am-4:00pm Becoming the Body of Christ York Diocesan Office
30/11/2026 time tbc Licensed Lay Minsters’ Advent Meal and Quiet Evening venue tbc
01/12/2026 time tbc Cleveland Archdeaconry Quiet Day – Walking with Angels St. Hilda’s Priory, Whitby
‘Giving a reason for the hope that is in us’ (1 Peter 3:15) The Theological Thinking of ‘Ordinary Christians’
01/10/2026 1:00pm-4:00pm York Diocesan Office
On this study afternoon, led by the Revd. Dr. Greg Hoyland, we will explore ways of understanding the theology of ‘ordinary Christians’ – “those believers who have received no scholarly theological education” (Astley J 2002 Ordinary Theology Aldershot: Ashgate p1). We will consider how this might help us to make the local church a more theologically articulate community, in order to aid that community to grow as missionary disciples.
This event is open to all clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers.
To book a place on this event, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-theological-thinking-of-ordinary-christians-tickets-1996985397080?aff=oddtdtcreator
Lord’s Prayer Tour
02/10/2026 7:30pm-9:30pm St. Martin of Tours, Middlesbrough
Details to follow
Preaching for Missionary Dicipleship through the Gospel According to St. Mark
05/10/2026 6:30pm-8:30pm online
During Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, we walk through the gospel story with St. Mark. What might St. Mark have to say to us about living as missionary disciples? The Venerable Liz Hassall, Archdeacon of York, helps us to explore this gospel and the theme of missionary discipleship as we prepare to preach our way through Year B.
This event is open to all clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers.
To book a place on this event, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/preaching-from-the-gospel-according-to-st-mark-tickets-1996990972757?aff=oddtdtcreator
Managing Children and Young Peoples’ Workers
08/10/2026 time tbc York Diocesan Office
This event, led by Ali Campbell, founder of The Resource, will cover the essentials of good line management for all those who manage Children and Young Peoples’ Workers, aiming to ensure that accountability, communication and expectations are clear to all.
Booking details to follow
Anna Chaplaincy Conference
04/11/2026 9:30am-3:30pm Beverley Minster Parish Hall
A day event in conjunction with BRF Ministries, aiming to equip and inspire those seeking to develop ministry among older people.
This event is open to all clergy, Licensed Lay Ministers and Authorised Lay Ministers.
To book a place on this event, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/anna-chaplaincy-ageing-well-and-how-the-church-can-help-tickets-1996994219468?aff=oddtdtcreator
Becoming the Body of Christ
26/11/2026 10:00am-4:00pm York Diocesan Office
As we seek to Become More Like Christ, this workshop, led by Mona-Karina Theodosius, Diocesan Advisor in Pastoral Care, invites participants to consider themselves and others as part of the whole family of God, in all its diverse beauty and challenge.
This event is open to all clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers.
To book a place on this event, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/becoming-the-body-of-christ-tickets-1997021426846?aff=oddtdtcreator
Cleveland Archdeaconry Quiet Day – Walking with Angels
01/12/2026 time tbc St. Hilda’s Priory, Whitby
This day will be hosted jointly by the Right Revd. Dr. Eleaner Sanderson, Bishop of Hull, the Right Revd. Barry Hill, Bishop of Whitby and the Venerable Dr. Amanda Bloor, Archdeacon of Cleveland. Bishop Eleanor will be leading the day on her new book, “Walking with Angels: The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2026”.
This event is open to all clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers.
A booking link will be available nearer the time.
External courses and training days
We encourage clergy to attend external courses and events such as those run by the organisations listed below:
Arthur Rank Centre – https://arthurrankcentre.org.uk/
Church Army – https://churcharmy.org/
Church Army Envoy – https://www.envoy.website/ukireland
College of Preachers – https://www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/
CPAS – https://www.cpas.org.uk/event
Faraday Institute – https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/
LYCIG – https://www.leadingyourchurchintogrowth.org.uk/
Mental Health First Aid – https://iancartwright.co.uk/
Sarum College – https://www.sarum.ac.uk/short-courses/
Scargill Movement – https://scargillmovement.org/visit/
St. Hild College – https://www.sthild.org/
Wydale Hall – https://www.wydale.org/events
CMD grants may be available on request to support this – see below.
Taking on other roles
Some clergy are asked, or offer, their skills in areas such as mentoring, consultancy, teaching on diocesan courses, spiritual direction etc. These are a vital part of personal development as well as contributing to the development of others.
Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) Grants
- The CMD Grant Panel
All applications for CMD and Extended Study Leave (sabbatical) funding grants are now administered through the Lifelong Learning Team’s CMD Grant Panel. The Panel currently comprises the Director of Lifelong Learning, the Director of Mission and Ministry, the CMD Adviser (when in post) and the Lifelong Learning Administrator.
The Panel meet on a quarterly basis to process applications. Applications for grants should be sent to the Lifelong Learning Administrator via training@yorkdiocese.org at least 7 days before the Panel meet. Following the Panel meeting the administrator will contact all applicants to communicate the outcomes of the meeting and to advise about next steps.
Applications should be made on the downloadable forms (available below) and, in the case of courses and events external to the Diocese, accompanied by supporting information.
2026 dates for CMD Grant Panel Meetings
A summary of the types of grant available is outlined below. Further details – including the application process – are available in the relevant Guidance documents and you are asked to read these before making an application.
CMD Grants
These are available to all licensed clergy who have completed IME Phase 2. CMD grants are centrally budgeted and approved by the CMD Grant Panel. The fundamental criterion is whether making a grant will help broaden and deepen the ministry of the individual requesting it, in the light of consultation and reflection about their recognised learning needs. Grants may be used to develop ministry skills, to deepen faith, and to nourish spirituality. There will usually be an explicit connection between the use of CMD grants and the individual’s Ministerial Development Review.
Currently grants are allocated on a personal basis, administered over a three-year period (triennium). The triennium grant for 2026-2028 is £240 per annum, which can be used between January 2026 and December 2028. Ministers coming into the Diocese and those completing IME 2 receive a pro-rata grant for the remainder of the triennium.
Downloads
CMD PTO Grants
The CMD grant allocation described above is available only to licensed clergy. However, clergy who hold ‘Permission to Officiate’ in the Diocese can apply for discretionary minor grants up to a maximum of £100 per year, where the proposed training enhances their benefit to their ministerial context.
Downloads
Extended Study Leave (sabbatical) Grants
The opportunity to devote time to a period of study or a personal project, which includes rest completely free from parish duties, can be an enriching and affirming experience. It need not necessarily be for a long period, though a month would be the minimum for any real benefit.
For some, this may only prove possible when a person is between jobs, but it should be a period genuinely away from the demands of day-to-day work. At present clergy are encouraged to take a sabbatical of 3 months at a suitable point in their ministry. All clergy office holders in the diocese are eligible to apply for Extended Study Leave of 3 months every 10 years in ministry.
Downloads
Evaluation Forms
Miscellaneous Grants
Most application for funding towards continuing ministerial development will be made via the CMD, Advanced Study or Extended Study Leave grants application process and in accordance with that guidance. On occasions the request for funding will not meet the criteria for those grants, but the Diocese and/ or sponsoring bishop may still be willing to support the request.
Downloads