The Chief Executive and Diocesan Secretary of the Church of England’s Lichfield Diocese is re-organising its central support and administrative staff to ensure that ‘the diocese’ is putting parishes first.
In a letter to parishes in July, marking the approach of her first 12 months in post, Mrs Julie Jones says: “We must do all we can to work together in unity to grow the Kingdom of God. Those of us in St Mary’s House (the main diocesan offices in Lichfield) need to be working collaboratively with all our parishes enabling us to make new disciples, win new generations and transform communities.”
Julie Jones succeeded David Taylor, who had been Diocesan Secretary for almost 20 years, when she began her role in August 2009.
In her letter she says: “In these months since coming to Lichfield I have found a real heart throughout the Diocese for taking the mission of God forward. Thank you, not just for the warmth of your welcome to the new girl, but also for the way you have continued to give sacrificially to the common purse despite hard economic times and your desire to do new things at parish level. Additionally, so many people have been open and honest with me about their perceptions of life in the Diocese. Such openness has helped me understand better some of your frustrations and hopes for change.
“I want people to know that the Diocese administration is here to empower Parishes – that is why we have issued the leaflet “Putting Parishes FIRST” and re-structured the team to give us the best chance of making that happen. I hope it’s given us all a platform to build on as we continue to work together to honour God in our vast and diverse Diocese.
“Diversity is not a negative thing. Understanding our differences, difficulties and frustrations should ultimately strengthen us.
“Politically and economically times are tough, but as the saying goes when ‘the going gets tough the tough get going’ – we have the greatest of role models in Jesus. He broke down barriers, built relationships and transformed the lives of those he came into contact by giving them hope and purpose. That is the common task before us all.
“If we put the life of the Parish and our communities first, I believe we will continue to see growth and health and most importantly a unity in the spirit. Now that’s coalition!”
ENDS
Lichfield Diocese - a coalition for growth, health and unity in the spirit
It is almost 12 months ago that JULIE JONES took the reins of the diocesan administration. Here she gives an insight into her hopes and prayers for the years that lie ahead building a mission led diocese that will continue to grow
COALITION seems to be the in-word these days. For the first time in over 70 years we have a UK Government that is not a single party. Instead we have two parties, historically with conflicting policies, agreeing to a power sharing deal at national level.
Consultation is now an inherent part of the political agenda. Without negotiated approval nothing can be achieved. It took time and probably a great deal of heart searching before both political parties put aside their differences and their individual aspirations to take office together.
Of course there are bound to be the sceptics who will cast doubt on such a political marriage, but equally there will be those who are very anxious for it to succeed.
Many of the electorate have become disillusioned with single party government and yearn for people’s needs to be put first.
It is no different here in the Diocese. I believe we must do all we can to work together in unity to grow the Kingdom of God.
Those of us in St Mary’s House need to be working collaboratively (in coalition) with all our parishes enabling us to make new disciples, win new generations and transform communities.
Jesus strived to bring togetherness and unity amongst his followers, despite there being those on the sidelines who were anxious to see his downfall. They wanted it not because they felt it would be best for God’s kingdom, but because it would be best for their own political careers.
In these months since coming to Lichfield I have found a real heart throughout the Diocese for taking the mission of God forward. Thank you, not just for the warmth of your welcome to the new girl, but also for the way you have continued to give sacrificially to the common purse despite hard economic times and your desire to do new things at parish level. Additionally, so many people have been open and honest with me about their perceptions of life in the Diocese. Such openness has helped me understand better some of your frustrations and hopes for change.
I want people to know that the Diocese administration is here to empower Parishes – that is why we have issued the leaflet “Putting Parishes FIRST” and re-structured the team to give us the best chance of making that happen. I hope it’s given us all a platform to build on as we continue to work together to honour God in our vast and diverse Diocese.
Diversity is not a negative thing. Understanding our differences, difficulties and frustrations should ultimately strengthen us.
Politically and economically times are tough, but as the saying goes when ‘the going gets tough the tough get going’ – we have the greatest of role models in Jesus. He broke down barriers, built relationships and transformed the lives of those he came into contact by giving them hope and purpose. That is the common task before us all.
If we put the life of the Parish and our communities first, I believe we will continue to see growth and health and most importantly a unity in the spirit. Now that’s coalition!
Mrs Julie Jones
July 2010