Welcome to this third quarterly update on work around the shared Called Together vision and strategy.
In this update you can learn more about:
Workstream highlights
Funded wellbeing sessions for church role-holders underway
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.
The number of Pastoral Supervision Groups – groups which bring clergy together for peer-to-peer learning and training - has been increased. This means more ordained leaders supported and equipped for mission and ministry on the ground in their parishes.
A review is also underway of the training offer available for lay church roles.
Community Pioneer roles are now in post at Holy Trinity, Twydall and St Francis, Strood, two of the 15 parishes identified to run specific missional projects to grow disciples and share missional learning with all parishes.
Further appointments are progressing across other participating parishes, with thought being given as to how to share early learning with all parishes
A Schools Engagement Officer has been appointed to help churches with their outreach into their local schools, to further enable fruitful relationships and connections to develop.
The first of the Children and Young People Resource Hubs has also been set up at Holy Trinity with St John's, Penge with recruitment underway for a person to lead the work in the parish.
Revitalise is about offering targeted support to parishes who are facing missional and financial challenge. A Data Insights Officer and a Revitalise Adviser have now been appointed who will journey alongside identified parishes.
The first parishes to benefit from the scheme have been identified through the Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Working Groups (AMPWGs) and are being approached.
To equip and support parishes and PCC’s to model the Kingdom of God through safe and healthy cultures, work is underway to develop a suite of resources and training.
These will address areas including: strengthening governance; reflecting on power, authority and influence; addressing and reduce conflict; communicating clearly; valuing diversity; and developing a shared understanding of how scripture should shape and define culture.
Find out more about each workstreams and how they support the vision
Funded wellbeing sessions for church role-holders underway
Photos: A range of people holding a range of roles within parishes came to the launch of Cascade's first pilot schemes
Sleep, family mental health, and a refreshment day for Churchwardens are among the pilot schemes now launched as part of the joint wellbeing initiative between the Diocese of Rochester and St Benedict’s Centre, West Malling.
Called Cascade, this initiative forms a key part of the diocesan vision to grow missional churches with missional leaders and missional disciples.
After an initial year of development, the next four years of the project are being funded through the nearly £11 million grant awarded to the Diocese from the National Church.
Bishop Simon Burton-Jones, Bishop of Tonbridge and Chair of the Cascade Steering Groups says that the wellbeing of lay and ordained leaders within the Diocese is vital to a thriving and flourishing Church.
“The aim of Cascade is to support leaders in their various roles to find life in all its fulness, better enabling them to enrich their communities, as they already do, in a positive way.”
Supporting leaders in this way will have a positive effect on parishes and communities as their leaders will be refreshed and supported for their work and mission.
Juliette Gosling, Cascade Wellbeing Programme Lead says:
"The first three pilot events were all well attended and received. Feedback has been very positive, and participants are already reporting benefits for both mental and physical wellbeing.”
A full, workable programme of support will be developed once all the pilots have been completed.
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/progress-updates/progress-updates--july.php
- Print A3 quarterly update (pdf) / A3 quarterly update (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.