Welcome to this second quarterly update on work around the shared Called Together vision and strategy.
In this update you can learn more about:
Workstream highlights
New roles bringing more support to parishes
Praying for the vision
Explore more
Sharing this update
Workstream highlights
Work to fulfil the vision is organised across four strands. Each one is seen through the lens of growing safe and healthy cultures. Although still in the early stages, lots of work is starting to happen.
Here are the key highlights.
Work has begun within the Mission and Ministry Development Team to see how the current training available for lay and ordained people might be refreshed, developed, and new opportunities identified.
A programme of clergy and lay courses for 2026 has been prepared, and redevelopment work continues.
Initial meetings have taken place with 15 places to receive targeted funding to kickstart missional projects in those settings – including parishes, a school, and new housing areas.
The aim of these projects is to provide a group from which learning can be shared with all parishes, to help inform future initiatives and good models of practice.
Work to set up three School Engagement and Resource Hubs to support parishes across the area of the Diocese has begun. These will provide opportunities that local parishes can access and engage with to strengthen their work with schools.
Recruitment for a Schools Engagement Advisor is now underway. They will be available to all parishes for advice on nurturing relationships with church and community schools.
The Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Working Groups (AMPWGs) are existing groups made up of local clergy and lay representatives.
They are being prepared for the refreshed role they will play in helping inform how resource and support available through the vision workstreams, and existing diocesan support teams, is most usefully directed to help parishes flourish.
A working group has now been set up to help ensure commitments in this area are embedded across each workstream.
Diversity and Inclusion and Net Zero working groups have also been established and will start to meet in the coming months.
Find out more about each workstreams and how they support the vision
New roles bring more support to parishes
A range of new diocesan-wide roles are planned to support parishes with key areas of mission, and to enable local growth and flourishing. Several of these posts have now been successfully recruited. Meet the new support colleagues below.
Children and Young People Mission and Ministry Adviser (10 -18yrs specialist)
Jen Coleman brings a wealth of skills and expertise to the Children and Young People’s Mission and Ministry Team.
Working alongside Cheryl (Lead Adviser) and Laura (0-11yrs specialist), she will help develop effective ways in which parishes can engage with young people in this age-group, as well as deliver training for all who work and minister with young people.
DAC Administrator
Tracy Vedamuttu works with Sarah (DAC Secretary) and Izzy (Assistant DAC Secretary) to help parishes with their faculty and other building enquiries.
Since joining the team, she has had a significant impact on how quickly parishes are responded to and signposted to initial information.
Missional Development Places Project Manager
Ravi Pooni will support the missional projects within the Missional Development Places workstream.
A key part of her role is to ensure that learning and best practice from those projects is shared with parishes across the Diocese, so all can benefit.
Make contact today visit: www.rochester.anglican.org/contact-us
Let’s pray
Please pray for the success of the vision across the Diocese over the months and years to come. It is only by working together that it will be possible.
Dear God,
Fill us with courage and creativity to carry your light into new places, meeting people where they are, and sharing the life-changing truth of your gospel.
Bless the churches and communities of this Diocese with Spirit-filled leaders, faithful disciples,
and hearts ablaze with love for you.
May they become vibrant and healthy expressions of your Kingdom - places where your Word is proclaimed, lives are transformed, and communities are renewed.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen
Explore more
For information about the vision, the workstreams, and to access prayers and stories about the work underway in parishes to share and grow God’s kingdom visit www.rochester.anglican.org/about-us/ourvision/
Share this update
Please feel free to share this update with others:
- Share the link to this page: www.rochester.anglican.org/about-us/ourvision/called-together-progress-update-feb-2026
- Print A3 quarterly update (pdf) / A3 quarterly (Word)
- Print A4 two pager (pdf) / A4 two pager (Word)
- Suggested text for newsletters and pew sheets (Word)
The Diocese of Rochester is the Church of England in the areas of Medway, north and west Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley. A diverse and vibrant community of faith, we are seeking first the Kingdom of God, as we are Called Together by God to change, serve, and grow with compassion, courage, and creativity.