Study leave

Properly planned and reflected on, study leave can be of enormous benefit to ministers, their families and those they serve, and to the wider church.

How to arrange study leave

To ensure time for good preparation it is vital that clergy wanting to enjoy the benefits of leave should apply at least 12-18 months in advance of the proposed study leave date.

The usual (and maximum) period of leave is three months plus one month’s holiday. Some, but not all, people have a clear project in mind from the start, but good study leave always allows space - for reflection, discovery, perhaps for the usually neglected in you to surface. They often have more than one strand - giving an opportunity to nourish different parts of the self, and sometimes discover surprising interactions and resonances.

Our diocese strongly encourages applicants for study leave who should have not less than seven years in licensed ministry, two years in their current post and seven years since the previous study leave. Training incumbents will not normally be granted study leave unless their assistant staff has served at least two years of their curacy.

It’s never too early to start planning study leave - For further details contact Bob Banton - email bob.banton@liverpool.anglican.org or call 0151 705 2101.

Resources for study leave

St George's College in Jerusalem is a unique centre of continuing education in the Anglican Communion, offering short-term courses as well as facilities for individual reflection and study.

It is open to both clergy and laity. Situated only a few minutes from the Old City of Jerusalem, in the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral, the college provides year-round courses that combine academic study, spirituality and travel. Courses introduce you to the holy places and archaeological sites as well as the people of the land, and are led by trained guides and academics who enable you to study the Bible in a new context. Regular worship and discussion sessions help you to meditate on the experience. Course fees include all meals and ensuite accommodation at the college. 

The most popular course is the 14-day Palestine of Jesus study tour - other courses include Ways in the Wilderness (which includes visits to the monasteries of Sinai and nights under the stars), Risen with Christ (an opportunity to experience Easter in the Holy Land) and St Paul and the early Church (based in Turkey). Bursaries of up to 60% of the course fee are offered by St George's College Jerusalem Trust.

For further information contact the Diocesan rep for St George's:
Rev’d Chris Spittle,
The Vicarage, 7 Church Road,
Skelmersdale
Lancs WN8 8ND
T: 01695 722087
E: chris.spittle@talktalk.net

Useful downloads

Application Form - Expression of Interest

Study Leave Information

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