"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14: 27)
Christ says that He gives us His peace, carefully underlining that His peace is not the same as the peace that the world gives.
He then goes on to reassure us, and ask of us something important that ties into our ability to receive His peace: not to allow our hearts to be troubled or afraid. We can explore this notion of peace on so many levels. How do the Scriptures open up the aspect of peace in our spiritual lives? Does the Church help us grow this peace in our personal lives and in the life of our communities?
And we can also ask, how does the eucharistic gathering become the way we find and practise peace, and ultimately manifest Christ’s peace to the world around us?
Christ tells us to not be afraid or troubled in our hearts – an exhortation that is so difficult for us to obey. By focusing on the Peace given to us by Christ, the 2026 Conference & Festival will address some of the ways in which we can start to dispel the anxieties and fears that the Lord so much wants us to leave behind.
Practicalities
Conference Payments & Important Dates
"….Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14: 27)
The Practicalities:
Make sure you have booked your place and paid your £50 deposit before March 23rd to be sure of your place!
Cost Per Adult: £310 for the full weekend Friday 4pm to Monday 12 noon. Cost Includes all meals.
Cost Per Child: aged 6-16 £50 for the full weekend.
All adult attendees pay a £50.00 deposit on Registration to hold each place.
Or, you can pay in full immediately either through the online payment system or by paying by bank transfer into the Deanery Bank account. Please contact the Conference Organisers for details.
OTHER OPTIONS:
Payment in installments will be possible after you have paid your deposit.
After March 23rd , there will be a button on this page which will allow you to make payments towards your full fee.
Paying by cheque, this is also an option.
Please make your cheque out to: Exarchate UK Deanery and send it to:
Deanery Conference Payments, 31 Burwood Avenue, Kenley CR8 5NT
If you would like to pay directly into the Deanery bank account; use these details:
Unity Trust Bank, A/C Name: Exarchate UK Deanery, A/C No. 20363646, Sort Code:60-83-01
Making sure that your name and CONF26 are clearly visible.
NEWS UPDATES For all Payments! Please Take Note!
The CCT who run the venue where we hold the conference, have changed policies and now require all payments to be complete by April 22nd 2026.
This new rule means that all payments for places must be completed by April 21st 2026.
If you are struggling to make full payment by the above date, please be in touch with us at deaneryconference@gmail.com and we will do our best to cover your place until May 7th as previously indicated.
If it is not paid at this point,(May 7th) your place may be offered to someone else.
If you need financial assistance to help with attending the conference, we welcome your application, please state this on your application form. Bursaries are available for anyone who needs one;
Please let your priest know that you need a bursary. All information will be kept confidential.
Conference speakers, workshops and children's programme
Conference Programme
What to expect over the three days
See the flow of the weekend below. The Speakers and the Descriptions of their talks are to be found here. The Workshops programme will follow later. Please keep an eye out for updates. If you have registered and paid your deposit, you will automatically be updated with the workshop programme and joining instructions etc.
DAY 1
Friday 22nd May
Arrival & Welcome
16:00 Arrival & Registration
18:00 Dinner is Served
20:00 First Talk - Gillian Crow
21:00 Little Compline
21:30 Bar Refreshments (last orders 22:30)
DAY 2
Saturday 23rd May
Talks & Workshops
07:00 Mattins
08 - 9 Breakfast
09:15 Fr Antonios - a pre-recorded talk and discussion
10:30 Coffee
11:00 Talk - Mother Sarah
13:00 Lunch is served
14:00 Free Time
16:00 Tea
16:30 Workshops
18:30 Dinner is served
19:30 Vigil followed by Confessions
21:00 Bar Refreshments - Last orders 10:30pm
Children's programme runs parallel to the adult day.
day 3
Sunday 24th May
Worship & Reflection
08:00 Divine Liturgy
10:00 Light Breakfast
11:00 Talk - Archbishop Nikitas on the theme
13:00 Lunch is served
14:00 Talk - Karin Greenhead
16:00 Tea
16:30 Workshops
17:30 Vespers
18:30 Dinner is served
20:15 Evening Party
DAY 4
Monday 25th May
Last words -Discussions & Goodbyes
07:30 Matins
08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast is served
09:30 Checkout from bedrooms by now
09:15 Panel Reflections on theme
10:15 Coffee
10:30 Reflections and thoughts for next year
11:30 Prayer service - Moleben
12:00 Lunch is served
13:00
Departure
Useful Resources
Access All Conference Materials
Everything you need to prepare for the 2026 Conference is available here - from joining instructions and workshop registration to schedules, posters, and feedback forms.
Gallery
Conference Memories
Moments from our previous gatherings that capture the spirit of fellowship and worship.