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Feedback from those that attended in 2008:

A Overview of the event:

A little over 50 people attended this year. This compares with 200 in 2007 and 67 in 2005. 12 had been to 2007 or 05 conferences before and given contact details on the forms.

There were 23 people's feedback forms collected at the end of this event. This year 5 people expressed interest in follow up recourses, namely listening, explore and Roadshow. More people declared that they came from the Swindon (23) area than the Bristol (7) area and Bath (4).

If we wanted to promote the event next year, we could make contact with 270 people by phone, email or by postage - from the records of people who have been before. There are members from about 90 Churches that could be contacted - knowing that at least one of their congregations are interested and might promote the next one.

B Summary of analysis:

The attendance must have been a small portion of the people interested and practicing Christian healing in this Diocese.

Overall performance rating taken from the feedback forms - that were returned - rose from 1220 in 2005, 1287 in 2006 then 1263 in 2007 and then down to 1213 in 2008 - out of a possible 1500 points for perfection.

2008 the success of our promotion was generally "well" awareness. It was mainly "well" for the degree to which needs were met and the conference contents.

Expressions of Healing and Wholeness

@Bristol Cathedral

Saturday 20th October 2007

10.00am ~ 3.30pm

Speakers

The Right Revd Mike Hill

The Bishop of Bristol

And Rev Canon Ian Wills

Displays ~ Worship ~ Eucharist ~ Talks

Beverages on arrival and during lunch hour

Please bring your own packed lunch

Annual Day Conference

presented by Bishop's Advisory Group on Healing.

'Equipped for Healing?'

'Tasters' of resources available throughout the day

DATE Saturday 27th Sept 2008

Time 10.15 a.m - 3.15 p.m registration from 9.30

COST £5 (Bring your own lunch)

VENUE St.Peter's Church Lords Mead, Chippenham, SN14 0L

Feedback from those that attended in 2007:

A Overview of the event:

A little over 200 people attended with about 8 of them having come by chance as visitors and stayed out of interest to listen - mainly to listen to the Bishop. 164 people registered at the entrance to the event. From the records, the Church's Ministry of Healing have retained only nine of those that came and registered two years ago - to register this time. There was 30 people's feedback forms collected at the end of the event. This year 12 people expressed interest in listening training. More people came from the Bristol area than the Swindon area.

If the Church's Ministry of Healing wanted to promote the event next year, it could make contact with 231 people by phone, email or by postage - from the records of people who have been before. There are members from about 70 Churches that could be contacted knowing that at least one of their congregations are interested and would like to know that the details of what can be done for them.

B Summary of analysis:

The attendance must have been a small portion of the people interested and practicing Christian healing in this Diocese. Of the people that did come and filled in the feedback form, there was some criticism of the awareness of this event: but this was less pronounced than in 2005. The promotional statement of the Bishop speaking extensively in the Cathedral gave people a fair idea of what to expect. The analysis showed that as a prestigious event, it generally met people's needs well.

Overall performance rating taken from the feedback forms - that were returned - rose from 1220 in 2005 to 1263 in 2007 out of a possible 1500 for perfection.

C Lessons learnt

The Church's Ministry of Healing considered a draft review and drew the following lessons:

· The Cathedral should continue to be booked for every third year. It was also important that such bookings should be not curtailed in it duration by follow on bookings. The next annual event should be at Chippenham.

· The Clergy in the Diocese should be invited to come to the next event, perhaps with one or more leading Lay Ministers/people.

· Church's Ministry of Healing should seek to obtain a united vision of the reason(s) for its existence. From this unity, it should become more confident in its scope and become more active - such as a road show to help parishes take up and own their own healing/prayer/listening ministries.

The Bishop's Advisory Group on the Church's ministry of healing and wholeness

Annual day conference, 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, Saturday 14th October 2006

At Saint Peter's Church, Frogwell, Chippenham

Theme: Healing the hurts - Equipping the church for ministry

Contributors:

Mrs.Caroline Virgo, Hopes Place, Talk titled: 'Sex, the city & the church, culturally cool or authentically Christian?'

Dr Gordon Stirrat, a retired Gynaecologist & Obstetrician, Talk titled: "Can you hear me, Mother?"

Rev Ian Wills as the priest at the service of Holy Communion.

Feedback from those that attended in 2006:

25 forms received

1. Awareness

How well were you informed? 4 replies satisfactory; 21 well and very well

Suggestions - 'was it in 3 Crowns?' ; ' earlier notice and of agenda'; 'parish flyer for each pew member'; 'poster said 9.30 start - 9.30 for 10 would have helped'; 'send info to local hospitals maternity/gynae wards/ midwives etc for personal study

2. My needs

Were met 'very well' - 4; 'well' -17; 'satisfactory' - 2

'to have contact with people doing similar work in the diocese'

'offered hot drink and directed to the toilet'

'more about skills of counseling for still born, TOP, neonatal death'

'more about post abortion conflict'

'refreshments, good venue'

'more thoughts on healing in these areas'

'good speakers - time for reflection questions and prayer

'rather COLD'

'comfortable chairs, warmer room';

'all involved in discussion'

'understanding forgiveness'

3. Conference content

Best bit - 3 speakers, planning a service for those who have lost babies, plenary and speakers; quiet interchange of ideas; Caroline's very personal perspective and experience; 'I liked it all'; 'Gordon'; 'Caroline'; 'Ian'; 'all talks were good'; 'guest speakers and questions' ; 'the way members of conference opened up at question time';

Least helpful - cold, long lunch break, Caroline difficult to hear; 'the event was a half day conference that was streched'

Would have liked - 'use of medicine as part of healing'; more about abortion; more discussion around abortion and unwanted pregnancy ;

Overall good

Comments - 'shorter lunch break, perhaps some worship, Eucharist'; 'thank you for all your hard work';

Overall the conference was

Very good - 11; good - 12; satisfactory - 1