It has been a busy few months in the Diocese, and in recent communication to clergy we and our Bishops Christopher and John acknowledged the busy workloads and our appreciation for everything lay and clergy are doing to serve our churches and communities. It is much appreciated, you are all doing amazing work and it would be wonderful to share your news and stories, so please do contact Anna Laycock, our Communications Officer, and we will publish these on our website.
Contacting us and welcoming new faces
I have only recently joined the Diocese, this is my fifth month in post, and I have been warmly welcomed by everyone. The Diocesan team are working hard to support our mission and ministry in a number of ways and I am conscious that there has been lots of change, with familiar faces being replaced by new ones. To help you navigate these changes, we have updated our contacts list and will be working on how to better signpost to the various teams and departments. In particular, I would like to welcome Steve Lee, our interim Finance Director who is currently navigating the challenges of introducing a new accounting system and putting together the 2023 budget for Diocesan Synod to approve in November. Another key appointment is Clive Hicks who recently joined as our Healthy Churches Development Enabler and I am sure he will be out and about across the Diocese in the coming months.
Black History Month
With Black History Month almost upon us, our Intercultural Mission Enabler, Neil Masih, has written to clergy to let them know he is available to visit and talk to them and congregations about his role in supporting laity and clergy in our welcome to worship for all in the Church of England. If you feel that this would be of benefit either at PCC meetings, during worship or in other settings please contact him by email to find out more.
Cost of Living
Finally, we understand there will be rising concerns about spiralling energy costs and how to keep our churches warm whilst also helping the community. Rob Harrison, our Director of Ministry and Leadership, is working with colleagues on pulling together tips, advice, resources that we can share with one other, more information to follow. In the meantime, we have published some thoughts on how we can help the community and you may also be interested the Church of England environment webinars, one of which focuses on quick wins and two others on heating solutions. We are also aware of the pressure on our clergy in heating vicarages; all clergy have been emailed about the national hardship support which has been made available, the deadline for applying to us for a share of this is 11 October.
With my thanks for all that you are doing across the Diocese.
