A new joint wellbeing initiative between the Diocese of Rochester and the St Benedict’s Centre in West Malling, has been launched.
Called Cascade, the project, which is funded for an initial five years, will focus on the flourishing and wellbeing of leaders in churches, schools, and some other settings within the diocese, as it seeks to support them in their physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Photo: The stream at Malling Abbey and St Benedict's Centre
Ongoing research into the wellbeing of clergy by the Church of England’s national Ministry Team, suggests that they are under significant pressure in their roles.
While less research has been undertaken into lay leadership in the church, the impression is that people in churches are being asked to do more with less resource, and so they too will be similarly struggling.
Bishop Simon Burton-Jones, the Bishop of Tonbridge and Chair of the Cascade Steering Group, says it’s why the project is so vital:
"There is a point in John's gospel where Jesus says that he has come to ‘bring life in all its fullness’, and yet we know that for many church leaders and for the leaders in our schools, it can feel like life is being lived in half its fullness right now.
“We envisage that the impact of this project will be like a dimmer light gradually coming on in peoples’ lives, so that as we start to address some of the issues that are most important to them, this light will start to emerge for them in different ways.
He continued:
"As that happens, we'll find that it will have a real knock-on effect in their households, in their relationships within their churches, and in their communities.
"Ultimately, we want to seek the kingdom of God; for that kingdom to break through in God's new creation and for people to experience the fullness of life Jesus spoke about."
With a project leader now in post, Cascade, is one of the first pieces of work to get underway as part of the diocese’s new vision and strategy.
Watch this short film where Bishop Simon and Bishop Adrian Newman, Bishop's Visitor for Malling Abbey and Chair of the St Benedict's explain more about Cascade.
A range of roles that will be able to benefit from the scheme include:
- Clergy (stipendiary, self-supporting, and PTO)
- Clergy spouses
- Lay leaders (all authorised or licensed lay ministers)
- Children, Youth and family workers
- Churchwardens
- School Headteachers
- Chaplains
- Diocesan and cathedral lay staff.
For Bishop Adrian Newman, Bishop’s Visitor for the religious community at Malling Abbey, and Chair of the St Benedict’s Centre, the Centre is the perfect partner and setting for the project:
“There is a stream and fall of water that runs through the grounds of the Abbey, and this cascade of water is a powerful metaphor for this project because, if we can do something that enhances the well-being of the frontline church workers and school leaders who give so much of themselves to others, that will automatically cascade out into the communities that they are trying to serve.”
He added:
"The benedictine tradition of this place also offers very clear principles of stability, of obedience, and of conversion of life.
"We feel this is a place where you can take time out, where you can stop, and where you can find a level of stability and inner peace which you won't find in your normal place of work or somewhere which doesn't hold these wonderful spiritual principles within them.”
Juliette Gosling, the new Cascade Wellbeing Programme Lead, says she’s excited about helping people focus on their own wellbeing and the impact that will have:
“When on a flight we are urged to put on our oxygen mask first before helping others. As church and school leaders, diocesan staff and volunteers, we need to make sure that we do this because by looking after our own wellbeing first, we can continue to support others. None of us can "pour from an empty vessel".
Juliette will now begin a period of consultation to help inform the offer of the project:
"The first year of Cascade is pivotal in co-designing the programme alongside those who will benefit from it, so I will be carrying out a consultation to understand what people would find most helpful to allow them to flourish in their ministry and roles – I am looking forward to listening and hearing as many voices as possible."
Alongside diocesan and national church funding, the Cascade steering group is grateful to the Dorothy Kerin Trust (Burrswood Health and Wellbeing in the Community) for their generous funding of the development phase of the project.
Find out more at: www.rochester.anglican.org/for-leaders/your-wellbeing/cascade/
More about Juliette
Juliette has 30 years' experience of working as a voluntary sector manager in Kent after graduating from the University of Nottingham. She grew up in Suffolk and has two children. She has attended Church since a child and is very passionate about helping people to prioritise their own wellbeing, something she thinks doesn't often come naturally to those who grow up in the Christian faith.