What are some practical ways to address specific issues and conflicts in churches? How can talking circles and restorative conferences be used to facilitate dialogue when there are disagreements?

We are very pleased to welcome Michael Wood (Anglican priest in Melbourne, Australia, restorative facilitator, and professional leadership coach) to share his extensive knowledge and experience in using restorative approaches in churches. We will also be joined by Sue Grimmett (Anglican priest in Brisbane, Australia), who will share some of her practical experiences of talking circles and conferences and examples of ways these have been used in church settings.

We will explore how restorative group conferences and talking circles can be used to facilitate dialogue in churches on issues where there is disagreement and conflict such as differing theological beliefs, disagreements on how churches should respond to political and cultural issues, and team dynamics causing issues for church governance and community life.

The event will include a time for Q&A and discussion with Michael and Sue.

This event is part of our programme of events for the newly established Churches Restorative Practice Network, which seeks to draw together church leaders and members in the UK who are interested in developing the use of restorative approaches in churches and equipping and supporting church leaders to build the skills needed to bring about healing and reconciliation in their congregations.

---

This online event will be held on Zoom. You can register on Eventbrite, with variable ticket prices available (including free tickets).

---

Michael Wood works in private practice as a Restorative Practices facilitator and professional leadership coach and part time as Associate Priest at St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Michael has facilitated hundreds of ‘circle’ format meetings (including restorative conferences) over the last 20 years in every Australian state - in churches, NFPs, community groups, government, and private companies. He has run dozens of workshops which teach church leaders how to use restorative/circle/collaborative principles as a paradigm and practice of collaborative leadership. Michael is a member of the national committee of the Australian Association for Restorative Justice. His book, Practicing Peace: Theology, Contemplation, and Action (Wipf and Stock, 2022) was shortlisted in the Australian Christian Book of the Year awards in 2023.

Rev’d Suzanne Grimmett has been working in the Church in a variety of roles for the last 20 years, including as a Chaplain in a secondary school immersed in restorative practices. Her current role as Rector of St Andrew’s in the Brisbane riverside suburb of Indooroopilly has been a journey with the parish through significant change and an increasing commitment to collaborative community engagement. The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane has provided opportunities to revisit restorative practices and develop circle approaches in different cathedral, school and parish contexts, as well as the chance to meet all her heroes through the On the Way podcast which she records with friends.