‍

Bishop Richard issued a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission in January. The Plan focusses on the significant potential of diocesan parish communities to act as “beacons of light... not in an era of change, but in a change of era”, consolidating the work already undertaken across the Diocese to place prayer, formation, and mission at the heart of diocesan parish and school community life. As part of the plan, the role of dean is being replaced by a priest who serves as moderator, with the 11 church communities that currently form deaneries becoming 11 parishes.

In January, moderators for the newly configured parishes-to-be gathered at Ladywell in Godalming to pray and reflect on the new role, and on the ways in which the plan will be delivered. The following members of clergy have now been confirmed as future moderators, with further appointments due to be shared in the coming weeks:

‍

‍Cathedral - Canon Peter Newsam

‍Crawley - Canon Tim Madeley

‍Guildford - Fr Jonathan How

‍Lewes & Mayfield - Fr Raglan Hay-Will

‍

Bishop Richard writes:

"[I] invite everyone in the Diocese – lay faithful and religious, deacons and priests – to join with me in forging our parishes into communities of saints, into strong, lively and welcoming schools of discipleship. May they be communities where the Lord is known and loved; where the liturgy is experienced as an encounter with the wonder of heaven; where daily prayer is a natural part of life; communities of healing, where all are welcomed, their dignity as children of God always recognised; where young people grow in deep love for the Gospel, for the sacramental life of the Church and for prayer; where all know the riches of the Faith and seek to share it with others."

‍

The dates on which current deaneries will become moderated parishes will be shared in due course.