LLM Final Year Retreat 2025

Ahead of their upcoming licensing in October, our Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) in training went on their final residential retreat last weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Bestwood Lodge Hotel.

It was a wonderful weekend of fun, worship, reflection and prayer, as the fifteen candidates celebrated the last two years of training and looked ahead to their licensing. For the fifteen candidates, it marked both the culmination of two years of learning and preparation, and the beginning of a new chapter in ministry.

Throughout the retreat, the group took part in sessions designed to help them prepare for life as LLMs, maintaining faith and wellbeing for themselves as well as others.

The group also surprised course tutors with gifts to thank them for their investment over the past two years. Angelika Bocchetti (School of Discipleship Lead) and Maureen Collins (LLM Programme Tutor) led the retreat, with support from James Halstead (Director of Discipleship & Ministry) and Sarah Patten (Principal for Wellbeing & Ministerial Development).

Maureen, LLM Programme Tutor, reflected:

“It was a wonderful weekend with time to celebrate the bonds created by 2 years learning together and remembering the diversity of churches we represent. We also took time to consider how to go forward in ministry. The end and the beginning of a wonderful journey – finishing together around the Lord’s table for Communion.“

Please join us in praying for the candidates ahead of their licensing in October and look out for stories from each of them in September. We are so thankful for all they have offered and all they will offer in service to God and the Church.

It may be that you have felt God stirring something in your heart about his call on your life, whatever that might look like. If you want to explore this further, visit our vocations page for more information about support we offer for those exploring their calling: