Dear friends,
I am very pleased to invite you to St Elizabeth's for our Conference on Parish Renewal. Over the last ten years, our parosh has been shaped by a renewed focus on mission, learning through both encourangement and challenge. We share this journey humbly, not as a formula to be copied, but as a reflection on how ordinary parish life can be renewed when we remain attentive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
You are very welcome here, and we would love you to join us on the 7th and 8th of May, here at St Elizabeth's in Richmond, to look forward together at how we may work towards renewal in our parishes.
Thank you.
Fr Stephen Langridge
Parish Priest
Parish renewal is not a technique to be learned, but a journey to be shared. This conference brings together those entrusted with the life of the parish to reflect on how mission, culture, and leadership can be renewed over time. Rooted in prayer and lived experience, these days invite participants to listen deeply - to the Holy Spirit, to one another, and to the realities of parish life today.
This conference is offered to all who carry responsibilty for the life and mission of the parish today - bishops, clergy, religious, lay leaders, and parishioners involed in pastoral leadership. Whether you are long engaged in renewal or simply beginning to ask new questions about parish life, you are warmly invited to take part in this shared space of reflection, prayer, and dialogue.
At the heart of this conference is a simple conviction: the parish remains a vital expression of the Church's presense in the world. When shaped intentionally by missionary discipleship, prayer, and conversion of heart, parish life can be continually renewed, becoming a place of encounter, belonging, and growth in faith for people of all ages and stages.
The conference will draw on the lived experience of St Elizabeth's Parish, which over recent years has sought to place mission at the centre of its common life. This journey is shared humbly - not as a model to be copied, but as a concrete witness to how renewal unfold gradually through culture change, honest learning, and faithful perseverence with an ordinary parish setting.
Registration is now open via the link below. Early bird tickets are on sale until Sunday the 1st of March, so be sure to secure your place now. Places are limited to support a reflective and prayerful atmosphere, and facilitate meaningful conversation.
For help with booking, or for groups that would prefer to pay by invoice, please reach out to the parish team.
The conference will be led by clergy and lay leaders who have been closely involved in the life and renewal of St Elizabeth's Parish over many years. Each brings a distinct perspective shaped by lived pastoral experience, prayerful leadership, and service within an ordinary parish setting. Together, they will reflect on the realities of parish renewal as it unfolds over time - its fruits, its challenges, and the ongoing work of sustaining mission with faithfulness and hope.
Fr Stephen read Philosophy and Theology in Oxford before training for the priesthood in Rome. In addition to a wide parish experience, he has also served as full-time Diocesan Vocations Director. He is also a Coach for Divine Renovation, a network of parishes dedicated to renewal, and is frequently invited to speak at national and international gatherings and conferences.
At St Elizabeth's he leads the parish community on its ongoing journey towards authentic missional discipleship in each person.
Joe grew up in Sunderland and graduated from St Mary's University, Twickenham, with a Masters in Theology. After a few years spent putting that to use as a bar and events manager Joe came to join the team at St Elizabeth's, using that experience to motivate his passion for discipleship and renewal. In the parish he is responsible for managing parish operations, ensuring everything in the daily life of the church runs as smoothly as possible. He is also responsible for overseeing our pastoral and ministry programmes such as Alpha and Catholicism for the Curious, and is a great person to chat to about getting involved in volunteering, coming to church for the first time, or to ask the big questions about life and faith.
Georgia has been with the parish since 2020 where she started a zoom call for 6 teenagers as a way of providing connection and support. This developed into a vibrant youth ministry provision and she now develops all of our various activities for young people aged 2-18. Georgia's approach is a relational ministry, creating a 'home away from home' for young people to explore their faith in a supportive and joyful environment. If you would like to learn more about our approach to youth ministry and how you might implement it, or if you are interested in getting involved at St Elizabeth's, do reach out. Georgia can be found in the parish on Sundays & Mondays.
Speaker to be confirmed at a later date.
Speaker to be confirmed at a later date.
