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Archdeacon of Wells

and

Residentiary Canon

The Archdeaconry of Wells

The Archdeaconry covers the central part of the diocese: from the coast at Burnham-on-

Sea to Frome on the Wiltshire border; from the Mendip Hills across the Somerset Levels

to Yeovil in the south,

Yeovil is the biggest town; other larger communities include Shepton Mallet,

Wells, Glastonbury, Street, Wincanton, Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea.

There are 7 Deaneries: Axbridge, Bruton and Cary, Frome, Glastonbury,

Ivelchester, Shepton Mallet and Yeovil

The area is geographically varied, and includes most of the Somerset Levels, as

well as part of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There are 213 churches and chapels within 173 parishes and 64 benefices.

Church tradition is probably best described as broad/central Church of England.One parish has adopted resolutions in relation to women’s ministry.

The majority of ministry is in villages and smaller communities. There are 12 parishes with Average Weekly Attendance of more than 100.

Total clergy numbers are 72 (66.5 FTE), comprising 48 (47 FTE) stipendiary incumbent posts and Associate Vicars; 7 (4.5 FTE) House for Duty; 8 (6 FTE) Non-stipendiary (self-supporting) clergy; 5 stipendiary curates and 4 non-stipendiary (self-supporting) curates.

The Archdeaconry has 70 Readers holding a licence and there are 34 with Permission to Officiate.

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The Archdeacon’s house is in the Liberty, a close of Canons’ houses next to the Diocesan Offices at the Old Deanery, and it overlooks the Cathedral West Front. There are 4

bedrooms, a study, a private garden and an Archdeaconry office which has separate

access.

The Archdeacon line-manages and is supported by a personal assistant, working 0.7 FTE, with a further 0.3 FTE hours working on specific roles for the Diocesan Secretariat. The PA is based in the archdeaconry office which is located in the Archdeacon’s house. The

PA has particular responsibilities for correspondence, diaries and planning.

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Archdeacon of Wells

and

Residentiary Canon

A. Person Specification

A priest who can demonstrate proven leadership experience (including an ability

to delegate), knowledge of Church structures and procedures, and an aptitude for

dealing with administration

The person we seek will be a priest with a joyful and lively faith whose life is

founded upon prayer, and:

be self-aware and possess a pastoral concern for others and their

development

have a heart for mission and evangelism and have experience of leading

people to faith and deepening the faith of others be able to encourage the ministry of all God’s people

be an imaginative and engaging communicator of the faith, theologically

articulate, generous and accessible

be able to work collaboratively with others and think imaginatively in

developing vision, strategy and policy for the diocese

be able to commend the mission and ministry of the Church to people of

all faith backgrounds and those who do not hold any faith allegiance

be able to minister across the range of church traditions and different

communities which comprise the diocese of Bath and Wells

be able to work strategically across a large geographical area and hold a

number of significant portfolio responsibilities effectively

have an understanding of and experience of managing and encouraging

change understand and value parish, school and chaplaincy ministry build trusting, healthy and mature relationships at every level

care for their own physical, spiritual and emotional well-being and that of

their family and friends

be open to their own development and learning new things in the role

be able to promote and develop appropriate synergy between Cathedral

and Diocese

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B. The role of the Archdeacon

There are three Archdeacons in the diocese, responsible respectively for the

Archdeaconries of Bath, Taunton and Wells. The three archdeacons are mutually

supportive of each other and seek to model the ‘no-one alone’ policy that the diocese

commends to all parochial clergy.

Membership of the Bishop’s Staff, the Diocesan Synod and other diocesan bodies, bring

a diocese-wide remit alongside the specific Cathedral involvement as a Residentiary

Canon. This all has to be balanced with the more local remit of taking responsibility for

the effective operation of the relevant Archdeaconry. The three Archdeacons work with

each other and with colleagues in the parishes and deaneries to ensure the effective

development and implementation of diocesan policy and practice.

Although not a reporting line in the conventional sense Archdeacons are the key persons

in the development of those individuals and parishes in their care. This involves a

responsibility to and for ordained and lay ministers in the archdeaconry.

The post of Archdeacon of Wells is held as a Common Tenure post alongside the post of

Residentiary Canon. The specific responsibilities are detailed below.

Key Purposes of the Job

1. As a member of the Bishop’s Staff, to work with others in formulating and

promoting vision, strategy and policy for the Diocese of Bath & Wells at all levels.

2. To exercise leadership within the Archdeaconry and in other areas of responsibility

3. To identify and use to best effect the gifts of clergy and lay leaders in

appointments and in diocesan structures and work-streams

4. To work within the framework of relevant ecclesiastical and secular law 5. To exercise pastoral care and discipline on behalf of the Bishop

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Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Development

1. To play a part in such boards, councils and committees that will enable the

archdeacons collaboratively to:

Hold the vision and help implement policy and strategies Learn with and from others Advocate and interpret diocesan policies in different contexts Feed back into future development the ideas and concerns of others

Support the development of deanery plans by Deanery Mission and Pastoral

Groups

Develop and strengthen links between parishes, schools, chaplaincies and the

diocese to enhance the shared mission and life of the church

Be held to account in terms of discerning and responding to what we believe

God is asking of us.

2. In furtherance of strategy development and implementation to meet regularly with

:

The Diocesan Bishop

With the other archdeacons for business purposes, mutual

encouragement and support

Rural Deans and Lay Chairs

3. Exercise leadership within the archdeaconry and other areas of responsibility

through:

Meeting with Rural Deans (roughly every 6-8 weeks) Chairing Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Group meetings

Annual Visitations Training days for new churchwardens and others Overseeing the appointment of clergy when vacancies occur Arranging and conducting Ministry Development Reviews for the clergy Pastoral reorganisation Encouraging and enabling parishes to engage in mission PCCs, Deanery Synods and Chapters

People Management

1. To identify and use to best effect the gifts of clergy and lay leaders. Key tasks in

this area are:

Overseeing and supporting appointment processes

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Identifying skills, calling and potential amongst clergy and lay people

Demonstrating the importance of parishes through challenging, affirming,

encouraging and thanking them

In their respective archdeaconries the Archdeacons do this through:

Visits to parishes Preaching and leading worship Meeting with clergy, churchwardens and PCCs

Undertaking ministry reviews (approx. 25 per year) with clergy holding a

bishop’s licence, currently alternating with other Senior Staff who

undertake such reviews so that clergy see their archdeacon every other

time (every 4 years).

Seeking to formulate, promote and develop vocational development.

2. To line- manage and work in collaboration with the Personal Assistant

Pastoral care and discipline

This is exercised on behalf of the Bishop through:

Maintaining contact with all clergy in the Archdeaconry Supporting clergy, their spouse and family when appropriate Maintaining regular contact both formal and informal with Rural Deans,

where necessary and appropriate, liaising with the Registrar

The Archdeacon may be called upon by the Bishop to make preliminary

enquiries in response to complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure and

may have to work with the Police and Social Services in these matters.

To work within the framework of relevant ecclesiastical and secular law

1. The Archdeacons, in liaison with the DAC Secretary, take responsibility in their

respective Archdeaconries for:

Supporting the implementation of Common Tenure

arrangements

Faculty jurisdiction and procedures (the on-line faculty system

was introduced in February 2016)

Liaison with the Registrar and Chancellor of the Diocese over

specific cases and on matters of general policy

Maintaining effective liaison with parishes and ensuring they

are advised of the work of bodies such as the Church Buildings

Council, Historic England, Amenities Societies and Local

Authorities.

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Liaising with Patrons, PCCs and others to implement and

monitor good practice and take the lead on issues of pastoral

reorganisation.

2. In close liaison with the Diocesan Registrar, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

and the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, Archdeacons take responsibility for

ensuring the availability of information regarding legislation and diocesan

guidelines in matters such as Health and Safety, Disability issues,

Safeguarding, harassment and bullying.

3. Archdeacons ensure the effective monitoring of good practice in legislative

matters and diocesan guidelines in the archdeaconry, and advise and

interpret legislation to Churchwardens. Clergy, Readers and PCCs so they are

well informed about their responsibilities.

4. As an ex-officio member of Bishop’s Council, the Archdeacon has

responsibilities as a trustee of the Diocesan Board of Finance.

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C. The Cathedral context

Introduction

Set amid the beautiful countryside of Somerset, Wells Cathedral has inspired

worshippers, pilgrims and visitors for over 800 years through the deep spirituality

of its architecture, worship and music. Please see the website:

http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/. The medieval city of Wells is the smallest in

England and that serves to emphasise its uniqueness. The Cathedral is very much

at the heart of the county and diocese. With worship at its core, a highly motivated

team of Chapter, staff and volunteers is ensuring that all the Cathedral represents

is sustained for the centuries to come.

The History of the Cathedral

Wells Cathedral is built near the springs at the base of the Mendips – hence the

name Wells. There is evidence of a Roman Mausoleum, and of a Christian church

from 705 or by 766. There was a Saxon Cathedral on a slightly different alignment

to the south of the current Cathedral. The current building was begun in 1175 and

the Great West Front with over 300 statues was completed in 1237. The

Cathedral was extended from the 13th – 15th century with the construction of the

Lady Chapel, Chapter House and Cloisters and the adjacent Vicars’ Close which

houses the men of the choir. Although the Cathedral suffered some destruction

during the Reformation and the Monmouth rebellion, it is still is one of the best

and most consistent examples of the Gothic style in the country.

More details can be found at: http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/.

The Cathedral’s Mission

The Cathedral exists for “the glory of God and as a sign of his kingdom in the

world”. To this end the Cathedral is committed to offering a daily round of prayer

and worship and ensuring that the Cathedral is:

o an instrument of God’s mission where the Christian faith is explored, practised, preached, taught and interpreted

o a focus for the life of the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the ministry of the Bishop

o a sacred place where all who come are welcomed and valued

o a focal point for the life of our city, community and country: a witness of God’s justice, peace and love

o a place where the expression of God’s gifts of creativity is encouraged

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o a spiritual musical and architectural inheritance to be conserved, enhanced and reinterpreted for this and future generations

o a place where community is fostered

o a good steward of its financial, human and physical resources.

Wells Cathedral is an exciting and dynamic place, where these objectives are

continually pursued. It evokes a deep spiritual awareness and hosts a wide range

of musical and other activities. Each year well over a 1000 services take place,

and over 100,000 people per year come to services, concerts and other events.

We have about 250,000 visitors per year who come from both Britain and

overseas. The Cathedral is held in high esteem by organisations within Somerset

and major civic events take place in it.

Worship and Music

The worship of God, formal and informal, is at the heart of the Cathedral’s life and

is the still centre around which its many activities occur. Further details are

available at http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/worship/.

The boy and girl choristers are all pupils of Wells Cathedral School, which is one of

four independent music schools in the country within the Music and Dance

Scheme funded by the Department for Education. The Dean is the Chair of

Governors and two other Chapter members are governors.

As well as regular daily services, the Cathedral hosts many other acts of worship

in the course of the year. The Cathedral School holds services for both day pupils

and boarders. In the run up to Christmas we welcome a range of organisations for

carol services. The Cathedral is a focus for diocesan and county-wide services and

events. The highlights include ordinations, confirmations, the annual Legal

Service and Candlelight Concerts.

The Chapter and staff team

The Chapter is the principal governing body for the Cathedral and with the College

of Canons and the Cathedral Council form the “body corporate” of the Cathedral.

There are currently nine Chapter members – five members of clergy (historically

known as the Quinque), the Administrator and three other lay members. Details of

the Cathedral’s Constitution and Statutes are at

http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/aboutus/documents/.

The Cathedral has 25 full-time staff and 45 part-time staff. The team is hugely

motivated and deals with demanding operational and strategic objectives.

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A number of important developments in relation to fabric, mission and life of the

Cathedral are emerging at the present time. New lay members of Chapter and a

new Dean have been appointed recently. One of the priorities for the new Dean,

the Very Revd Dr John Davies, is to strengthen and develop links with the diocese.

The Archdeacon of Wells’ contribution

As a Residentiary Canon, the Archdeacon’s role includes:

being effectively a non-executive member of Chapter, currently not holding

any particular cathedral portfolio

contributing to the development and implementation of the Cathedral

strategy bringing a diocesan and parish perspective to the cathedral building relationships

being committed to cathedral liturgy and worship (Cathedral Statutes 4(2)

states “In particular it belongs to the residentiary canons to attend

Morning and Evening Prayer in the Cathedral unless otherwise let or

hindered.”)

contributing to the life of the Cathedral and the Chapter

presiding and preaching regularly, with an expectation of being in

residence four weeks per annum as canon-in-residence (see Cathedral

Statutes 4(3) for details)

attending and engaging in all Chapter meetings and meetings of cathedral

departments with Chapter

D. Other aspects of the role

Additional Specific Responsibilities

These may change from time to time according to the needs of the diocese and

the particular skills and experience of individual Archdeacons. The previous

Archdeacon, for example, was a Trustee of Abbey House Glastonbury, the

diocesan Retreat House, and it is envisaged that the new postholder will do so.

- Chair, Closed Churches Group

- Chair, Wells Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Group - Member, Bishop’s Staff

- Member, Diocesan Synod - Member, DBF Finance Group

- Member, DBF Conditions of Service Group

- Member, Diocesan Advisory Committee

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- Member, Wells Cathedral Chapter

Ex-officio charitable trustee:

- Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF)

- Wells Clerical Charity - Glastonbury Abbey Trust

- The Bishop’s Rib

- The Stone Trust

Appointment and Accountability

The post-holder is appointed by, and accountable to, the Bishop of Bath and

Wells. As an ordinary the Archdeacon is responsible in some matters to the

Diocesan Chancellor. The Archdeacon can work across the diocese, but has a

particular responsibility for the archdeaconry to which they are appointed.

The Archdeacons have regular meetings with the diocesan bishop and immediate

access whenever necessary. Together, the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the

Bishop of Taunton recognise their responsibility to support the Archdeacon in

carrying out their duties.

The diocesan bishop will conduct a regular Ministerial Development Review with

the post-holder.

Statement of Particulars

A Statement of Particulars will be provided on appointment which details the

conditions which relate to this appointment, which is held under Common Tenure

as a full-time stipendiary post. The time commitment as Residentiary Canon is

expected to equate to 10% of the overall time commitment annually, with the

allocation of time to be agreed with the Dean of Wells. The Archdeacon of Wells’

house is 6 The Liberty, Wells, BA5 2SU.

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The Process of Appointment

An Advisory Group has been appointed who will share in the interview process

and advise the Bishop. Successful shortlisted candidates will be invited to

interview by the Diocesan Bishop.

Closing date for applications will be 26 October 2016.

Interviews will be in Wells over two days: 6 and 7 December. (Short-listed

candidates will be called for informal opportunities to meet senior staff on evening

before one of the two dates and interviewed the following day.)

Overnight accommodation will be arranged if required and travelling expenses reimbursed at standard diocesan rates

The interview will include a presentation on a set theme and a homily on a set

reading

Candidates will be given an informal opportunity to meet members of theBishop’s Staff before their interview day

Before coming for interview candidates will be given the name of someone

with whom they can have an informal conversation about the life of the diocese

References for candidates will be requested following an invitation to interview being sent

The Rt Revd Peter Hancock Bishop of Bath and Wells

September 2016

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APPENDIX 1

A CHARGE TO THE RT REVD PETER HANCOCK

CONFIRMED BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS

FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

To our well-beloved brother in Christ, Peter, now Bishop of Bath and Wells

Recalling God’s mission entrusted by Christ to His Church to proclaim God’s Kingdom, to heal

the sick and to make disciples of all nations, I now set before you the key tasks identified for you

by the Crown Nominations Commission, to guide you as you prepare to take up your new office

and ministry

To share the gospel across the diocese of Bath and Wells and to nurture the confidence of

others to do likewise; to foster spiritual and numerical growth in parishes, benefices and

communities encouraging aspirations for a growing and flourishing Church.

To develop the diocesan vision of “Changing lives, changing churches for changing communities” and to lead its implementation across the diocese; to direct the provision of support and resources to ensure its delivery.

To encourage the shared ministry of the Bishops’ office, the Diocesan Office and theCathedral and to ensure effective partnership and communication across the wider diocese.

To establish positive relationships with community leaders and to contribute to the partnerships building social capital at county and local level; to speak out for rural communities and others on the margins in a time of need.

To ensure high quality educational provision in schools and to utilise the opportunities for mission they provide.

To re-imagine ministries to ensure that they are shaped for mission; to encourage parish clergy in re-shaping local ministry within parishes and deaneries and with them to recognise, support and empower the laity, and to re-awaken in all a sense of the responsibilities of discipleship

As a member of the House of Bishops to exercise collegial leadership of the Church of

England, leading the whole Church in mission, and maintaining and promoting its unity.

So may the Lord of heaven, who gives you the will to undertake these things, give you also the

strength to perform them, and by his divine providence may his holy angels succour and

defend you on earth; and may his Grace and Blessing be with you at all times. Amen

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APPENDIX 2

The Archbishop of Canterbury 4th March 2014

The Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Wells Archdeaconry – an introduction

The Diocese of Bath and Wells was founded in 909 AD. It is nearly coterminous with the

traditional county of Somerset (there are a couple of parishes in Dorset). It is a diverse region

with:

an extensive coastline along the Bristol Channel, often referred to as the Somerset Coast three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Blackdown, Quantock and Mendip Hills. a large part of the Exmoor National Park. the wetlands of the Somerset Levels. A number of parishes in the Archdeaconry suffered

badly during the extensive flooding of 2014.

Transport is patchy. Apart from the M5 from Bristol past Taunton, the county has no significant

dual carriageways. The main A roads are radial routes from Bristol (A37, 38), and E-W crossings

(A30/303 in the south and A39/361 across the centre). The main rail links are the London

Paddington main line to the West Country through Taunton, and routes to London from Bath or

Castle Cary. Bristol Airport lies in the north of the diocese. Bath has a distinct identity from much

of the rest of the county, and the proximity of Bristol exerts a powerful influence on commuting

and employment patterns.

It is a large diocese in term of size (1,614 square miles) and this is reflected in the numbers of parishes (469) and benefices (186). There are 564 churches.

Population

The population is 922,000 and this is expected to grow to a million people over the next decade

or so. Growth is almost entirely through internal migration from other parts of the UK, and nearly

all the increase in population in the last 10 years is accounted for by over-45s. Outside of Bath,

with its student population of 20,000, the county has a much higher proportion of adults over 40

than the national average, and 20% fewer 20s-40s. Although two-thirds of the diocese (by area) is rural, some two-thirds of the population live in

urban areas. Between them, Bath, Weston, Taunton and Yeovil account for nearly 1/3 of the

population of the diocese. 57% of local people live in settlements of 10,000 or more, and the majority of future housing development is being planned around these urban centres and along the M5 corridor through Bridgwater and Taunton. The population will become increasingly urban, yet there are still over 500 settlements across the county, many of them small and rural. Politics and Social Structure

Whilst the name Somerset has historical resonance, in reality this is not a naturally cohesive

county. Apart from BBC Somerset, there are no broadcast or printed media exclusively for the

whole county, though independent radio and the Western Daily Press also cover the area. Local

identity and history are of importance, especially in the rural areas, with some village memories

stretching back to the civil war.

Politically the county is split between two Unitary Authorities in the north and Somerset County Council (with five district councils) in the South. Mendip, South Somerset and Sedgemoor District

Councils between them cover the whole Archdeaconry

The diocese is currently served by nine Members of Parliament. Since the last election all of these are Conservative.

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Employment

Farming is important across the diocese, but employs fewer people than in the past. The largest

employment sectors are retail, manufacturing, tourism, and health and social care. The NHS is

the largest employer (above 18,000) in the county, with major hospitals in Bath, Taunton,

Weston–super-Mare and Yeovil. 15,000 are employed in agriculture, food and drink.

There are some local specialisms and developments:

Yeovil has a strong cluster of defence and engineering companies EDF has a major programme of work and employment with the planned new nuclear

power Station at Hinckley Point Quarrying in the Mendips is still a major activity

There are good employment levels, but there are pockets of severe deprivation in some urban areas in Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Highbridge, Bridgwater, Chard and Taunton.

Average incomes are below the national average, with full-time pay per residence £561 per week in North Somerset (10% above the national average) falling to £339 per week in West Somerset.

The Government’s Social Mobility Index 2016 notes West Somerset is the worst performing local authority area for social mobility

Though youth unemployment remains below the national average, rates have doubled since the start of the recession.

Rural poverty is, by its nature, less concentrated. Access to cars is higher than the national

average. There are however in most villages a significant number of people on low incomes who,

because of reduced public transport, have restricted access to shops, health facilities,

employment and educational and leisure facilities. Housing, employment and the attractions of

Somerset to those retiring means that residents in many communities away from the towns in

the Archdeaconry are predominantly elderly.

Education

Church schools are a significant part of the life of the diocese. There are 180 Church of

England schools in the diocese and approximately 35,100 children attend Church of

England schools or academies. 50% of primary aged children attend a Church of England school. Of these 180, 127 are Primary Schools, there are 30 First Schools, 4 Infant

Schools, 3 Middle Schools, 10 Junior Schools and 6 Secondary Schools. In the Wells

archdeaconry there are 60 schools: 14 First, 2 Infant, 2 Middle, 2 Secondary, 5 Junior and 35 Primary.

The diocese’s Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) which looks after 19 of our church schools (as of Dec 2016), is an increasingly key player in the educational landscape especially as the government’s academisation programme develops. The majority of the church schools in

the diocese are in rural areas and are working with us to find the best local solutions to secure the future of our church school family. As well as the B&W MAT, our church schools are working with 13 other multi-academy trusts across the diocese, in total this is an additional 22,000 children in our extended church school family.

There are three Local Education Authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, and the larger Somerset County Council.

All secondary schools are comprehensive. 300 plus primary, infant and junior schools cater for ages four to eleven, after which the

pupils move on to secondary schools. There is a three-tier system of first, middle and upper schools in the Frome area, Cheddar

Valley and in West Somerset.

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Some of the 53 secondary schools have sixth forms and others transfer their sixth formers to

colleges. A significant number of state secondary schools are academies. There are 15 special

schools, and a number of independent schools, including two in Bruton, Millfield in Street, Wells

Cathedral School and Monkton Combe.

A wide range of adult education and further education courses is available across the diocese in

schools, colleges and other community venues. There are tertiary colleges in all the major

centres of population, including Yeovil and Street in the Archdeaconry. There are two higher

education establishments in the north-east of the diocese – the University of Bath (12,500 full

time and 3,000 part time students) and Bath Spa University (5,500 students).

Ethnicity & Religion

Bath and Wells is overwhelmingly ‘White British’ (95%), with significantly lower rates of ethnic

diversity and international immigration than England as a whole, even though these are slowly

rising. In the 2011 census, 64% of Somerset people put their religion as ‘Christian’, significantly

higher than the national average, but still a drop of 11% over the decade. Over the last 10 years

the number specifying ‘no religion’ has doubled to 250,000.

Other religious groupings are small: at 3,500 the Muslim population is the next highest, followed by Buddhists and Pagans. There are Mosques & Islamic Cultural Centres in Bath, Taunton,

Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil.

Glastonbury is a centre for a diverse range of alternative spiritualities.

Leisure and tourism

Local sport and leisure includes Somerset County Cricket in Taunton, Yeovil Town FC and Bath

Rugby, with a thriving local club scene in many sports. There are racecourses at Wincanton, Bath

and Taunton.

The diocese is rich in cultural opportunities - with literature and music festivals in the well-known

centres such as Bath and Wells, as well in the smaller towns and communities. The Glastonbury

Festival draws 180,000 visitors each year. Both New Wine and Spring Harvest have venues in the

diocese, at the Bath and West Showground and Butlin’s Minehead respectively. Somerset’s

autumn cycle of illuminated carnivals, centred on Bridgwater, is the biggest of its kind in Europe.

Somerset, with the exception of Bath, remains for many people a county they pass through on

the way to the beaches of Devon and Cornwall. Local authority investment in tourism is low.

Nevertheless, in 2010 it was estimated that tourism created £1.08bn of visitor spend and

31,700 jobs.

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A prayer being widely used across the diocese as we discern how God wishes us

to shape our future

Gracious God, may your Holy Spirit guide us into the future.

Help us, throughout the diocese, to show uninhibited reliance on your grace and power

as we seek the renewal of our lives.

Give us courage, rigour, imagination and generosity in order that your kingdom may come

and your abundant life be known by all. Amen