A Program for Clergy Entering New Cures and Lay Leaders in the Congregations They Serve
see separate page for the schedule for Priests’ and Transitional Deacons’ fresh start and Congregational Fresh and Fresh Start for Deacons

FRESH START is a diocesan-led program for clergy in new cures and for lay leaders in the congregations
where they serve.

Fresh Start is designed to:
• assist with the transition issues inherent in any new ministry;
• sharpen the skills of lay leaders and clergy for congregational development;
• strengthen relationships needed for ministry among the clergy of a diocese;
• deepen the trust and interconnectedness between clergy and the lay leaders of congregations
and the bishop and bishop's staff.
Fresh Start seeks to strengthen the relationships among Anglican clergy, congregations and dioceses during
critical periods of transition in clergy leadership of the congregation.

BENEFITS
• Helps to honor the ministry of all leaders, lay and ordained, in the life of the congregation.
• Helps to establish a common language to talk about issues of transition.
• Increases participants' capacity to minister to each other and the wider community.
• Provides an opportunity for leaders, both lay and ordained, to experience each other's
openness to God and to deepen their capacity to be ministers of Jesus Christ.


Q&A

What is the format?
Fresh Start is a monthly gathering of priests, between September and June. The program takes advantage
of theories, practical tools and small group discussions on issues of concern.

When can a new clergy in the diocese join?
Transitioning clergy are asked to join the group as soon as the announcement is made that they will be
leaving the congregation.

How are parish lay leaders included?
Special Saturday sessions are held throughout the year to purposely include Wardens and lay leaders.

What topics are discussed?
The program is designed to be significant and flexible. A variety of topics are offering including Systems
Theory, Understanding Transition and Managing Change. Some subjects addressed are based on
theoretical models such as role clarity, decision making, power and influence, conflict awareness and church size. Other modules are more focused on relationships and self care.
Each year the participants contribute to the topics that will be discussed making the program relevant to their new cure.

“A crucial time in the life of anyone's ordained ministry is the start of a new call. Times have changed in the church that I knew when I experienced my first call in 1972 as curate in the diocese of Newark. I was
blessed to serve on multiple staffs, and with each subsequent call I was mentored by some of the best
rectors and deans in the church. But such mentoring is clearly becoming a thing of the past and
congregational life is for many cultural, domestic, and global reasons a much greater challenge than it was even a few short years ago.

FRESH START, led by nationally trained facilitators will assist all clergy entering new cures to build
relationships necessary for the growth of successful ministry within their congregations, among each other as colleagues, and with the Bishops and diocesan staff.

FRESH START Contacts in the Diocese of Huron
The Rev. Canon Willi Kammerer
Director of Human Resources
Diocesan Facilitators:
Priests’ Fresh Start: The Rev. Sue McCullough, Ms. Marilyn Malton, The Rev. Norm Casey, The Rev. Canon Bob Schroeder, The Rev. Rich Jones, The Rev'd Greg Little
Congregational Fresh Start: Mrs. Nancy Chapple, The Rev. Nancy Adams, The Rev. Karen Kovats, Mrs. Shirley Sewell, Mr. Greg Grondin, Mrs. Wanda Goodyear, The Rev. Greg Jenkins, Mrs. Melanie Snyders, The Rev. Eleanor Caruana, The Rev. Deacon Vermell Stevens, The Rev. Sue Malpus

FRESH START is a collaborative effort of The Episcopal Church, sponsored by Cornerstone, a
ministry of the Episcopal Church Foundation, the Office for Ministry Development, the Church Deployment
Office and now adopted and adapted by the Anglican Church of Canada.

Diocese of Huron, London, Ontario
tel: 1-800-919-1115, ext. 224 • 1-519-434-6893 • fax: 519-673-4151