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Future diocesan Moderators joined Bishop Richard, Canon Kieron O’Brien, and Deacon Nick St John at The Franciscan Centre in Ladywell, Godalming last week, with the two-day event also attended by the Episcopal Vicars for Sussex and Surrey, members of the clergy Ongoing Formation Team, the diocesan Formation Team, and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce from Catholic ministry and registered charity Divine Renovation.

Bishop Richard published his third Pastoral Plan “The Word Who is Life, The Call to Mission” early last year, with diocesan churches that currently form deaneries in the process of transforming into 11 new parish families in the care of a team of priests who work “in solidum” (jointly and severally) with a Moderator. Highlighting the importance of this development in the Pastoral Plan, Bishop Richard said:

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“With such a structure in place, the team of priests living across this wider community will be able to cooperate more closely, serving the sacramental needs of the communities concerned in a flexible way and freed to bring their gifts to the service of the Church in Mission.”

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Divine Renovation accompanies members of clergy and lay leaders, providing them with the tools and coaching they need to lead their parish communities “from maintenance to mission”. Addressing attendees, Hannah Vaughan-Spruce reflected on the new Apostolic Age that Catholics and the Church find themselves in: “This is a moment of great hope in your diocese, of new beginnings across your 11 parishes; a new reality” she continued, “pooling resources and strengths brings great potential and opportunities for missional prayer, forming and casting vision, building leadership and evangelisation.”

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Speaking after the meeting, the Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Planning, Canon Kieron O’Brien, said:

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“We are now a year into the Pastoral Plan and potential moderators have been appointed to nine of the new parishes. Although the new structures are important, our focus is always on Prayer, Formation and Mission. In each of the new parishes the clergy teams will be working closely with key lay people to develop their own vision to enable every community to flourish in forming disciples who will share the Good News. During the time at Ladywell we were able to assess the progress so far and look deeper into the strategies and resources that will need to be necessary to support this new reality. Although everyone is aware of the challenges ahead, the mood was prayerful, positive and upbeat. Please continue to pray for those who have taken on the responsibility of moderator and for their developing parish teams."