Bishop Karowei writes... Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, they were filled with the Spirit, and at Pentecost they overflowed with the I bring you greetings in the name of power after the Holy Spirit was poured the Lord Jesus Christ, our saviour, who upon them (Acts 2). Then those men and died to give us new life in the power women believers in Jesus Christ became News and Events from the Diocese of Southwark of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God passionate witnesses of Jesus Christ and SEPTEMBER 2021 the Father, who loves us with an eternal preached the gospel even in the face of unconditional love. threats to their lives. They built back New lay ministries set to launch in Southwark As we recover from the challenges, better and stronger, giving birth to the trials and trauma of the last 18 months Church that today boasts of more than The Diocese is expanding its vocational offering by launching a series of new lay of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, 1.5 billion followers worldwide. ministries this month, which will complement the ordained and lay pathways we reflect on the lives lost, jobs lost, already in place. Entry into the new ministries is via three different routes As we emerge from the devastating ― affirmed, commissioned and licensed. The aim is for a renewed focus on livelihoods lost, relationships lost, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I vocations and ministry within the Diocese to strengthen our existing ministries, and tranquillity lost and for some earthly encourage us to remember that the Spirit to strengthen the relationships between clergy and laity as each support the other paradise lost. We pray for the Lord to that worked in the disciples, bringing in mutual flourishing. comfort the bereaved, give grace to the them out of lockdown and turning them Bishop Christopher said: “I am delighted that we are offering these new and exciting informed and grant that the souls of the into passionate witnesses, calls us today faithful departed rest in Christ. lay ministries. Our laity play a very important role in the Diocese working alongside as modern disciples and followers of Jesus the clergy in leading, enabling and serving our parishes and communities. My prayer The travails of COVID-19 remind me Christ to build back better and stronger. is that those who feel called to lay ministry will pursue it, in the full knowledge and of the experiences of the disciples of He encourages us to be passionate assurance that they will receive excellent training and support, equipping them to Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, death witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ carry out their calling effectively and to God’s glory.” and resurrection from the dead. They caring for God’s creation, caring for The new ministries are: were distraught, broken, frightened, the salvation of our fellow humanity • Lay Children’s, Youth, and Family Workers (affi rmed, commissioned and licensed) disillusioned and depressed, so they through Christ, caring for racial justice, • Licensed Lay Pioneers went into lockdown. The disciples of caring for social equality, caring for the • Pastoral Lay Ministers (affi rmed and licensed). elderly, caring for the environment as Jesus had a lockdown at different levels They will sit alongside the Diocese’s existing lay ministries: diligent stewards of God who calls us to ― emotional, physical and psychological. • Readers It was also spiritual in their distance participate in Missio Dei ― God’s mission • Southwark Pastoral Auxiliaries (SPAs) from God and his purposes for them in the world. • Commissioned Lay Pioneers at that time. Thank God for his This is our call to build back better and • Church Army Evangelists. unconditional love for us, in that even stronger prayerfully, theologically and Affirmed lay ministers are chosen within the local parish where they will serve when we are unfaithful, ungrateful, missiologically through Jesus Christ. So, and training happens locally. Commissioned lay ministers serve in their parish or rebellious, distant and in sin, he continues do not fret but stay focused on God’s local community having gone through a discernment and selection process run by to love us with unimaginable passion love for you through Christ Jesus in the Diocese. Licensed ministries are discerned at Diocesan level and nationally through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8). the power of the Holy Spirit as we go recognised; the ministry is transferable across dioceses. Thank God the resurrection of Christ forward. Publicity about the new ministries will be sent to all churches in the Diocese later happened after his crucifixion and that Blessings to you all in Christ, this month. You can also read about them here: southwark.anglican.org/layministries confirms to us that God can bring new life out of death. The risen Christ The Diocese of appeared to his disciples at Easter and Southwark 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 NOTICEBOARD NOTICEBOARD SEPTEMBER 2021 PERSONNEL CLERGY VACANCIES RESIGNATION/RETIREMENTS CROYDON AREA The Revd Benjamin Brown, presently St Helier (North Sutton Centre for Team Vicar of Merstham & Gatton Team Mission): Pioneer Evangelist (Lay Ministry, is to resign on 19 September Minister/Church Army) 2021 to take up the post of Rector of the United Benefice of Lewes, St Anne, St Michael & St Thomas, in the Diocese NOTICES of Chichester. The Revd Gordon Jeanes, presently Robes charity seeks Trustees Vicar of Wandsworth, St Anne, is to The homelessness charity, which has retire on 9 November 2021. been operating in Southwark and The Revd Benjamin Jones, presently Lambeth since 2007, is seeking three Curate of Croydon, Emmanuel, is to new Trustees across the following resign on 15 September 2021 to take skills/backgrounds: up the post of Vicar of Hedge End, St • a person with lived experience of Luke in the Diocese of Winchester. homelessness and night shelters • a person currently volunteering The Revd Leonard Marsh, presently with a homeless charity and/ Vicar of Upper Norwood, All Saints w or passionate about making St Margaret, is to retire on 1 October a diff erence to inner city 2021. homelessness The Revd Charles Thomson, presently • an individual representing our Curate of Battersea Rise, St Mark, is to existing volunteer base resign on 1 September 2021 to take up • someone with a link to the the post of Team Rector of Melksham in Southwark/Lambeth Church the Diocese of Salisbury. community. THIS PAGE IS The Revd Sue Weakley, presently Please contact Bernice Rook at Priest-in-Charge of Charlwood, St [email protected] for a full BLANK Nicholas & Sidlow Bridge, Emmanuel, information pack. Closing date is 13 is to retire on 8 October 2021. September. For more information, see ep-uk.org/job/trustees-robes INTENTIONALLY Personnel notices New Diocesan Safeguarding Other information on clergy comings Adviser starts and goings will return in October’s edition of Noticeboard. Pamela Chisholm, the new Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, is now in post. In the meantime, open vacancies can She can be contacted at: pamela. be found on the Diocesan website at: [email protected] southwark.anglican.org/about-us/ 020 7939 9423 who-we-are/vacancies/ 07982 279713 2 15 SEPTEMBER 2021 NOTICEBOARD NOTICEBOARD SEPTEMBER 2021 EVENTS & NOTICES Hope by the Creed & Parish Information Culture Project Review 2021 Saturday 25 September, 2.00- The Parish Information Review 2021 5.00pm, Emmanuel Centre, process is ongoing, and we would SW1P 3DW, £12 encourage parishes to make a start if they have not already done so. The This Creed & Culture Project links to carry out the 2021 review event asks whether the Christian were sent earlier in the summer to the message can shed light and offer PCC Secretary or person nominated by encouragement during this time of the parish as the reviewer. intense social disruption. Benjamin Please e-mail parish.reviews@ Amos and Ally Gordon will present, southwark.anglican.org if you need and Professor John Lennox will speak. the link to be resent. You can also Book at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ use this e-mail address to raise hope-tickets-166085818153 any queries you may have whilst completing the review. Community Businesses It has been good to see so many in Places of Worship parishes undertaking the review. For programme those who have not yet been able to do this, we look forward to hearing The Plunkett Foundation is offering from you. Thank you all for everything support for community-owned and you do for your parish. run businesses to establish projects in active church buildings. Online parish returns Full details are available on its THIS PAGE IS website: plunkett.co.uk/community- The Church of England’s online businesses-in-places-of-worship parish return system, which we use BLANK for capturing church membership Circle the City data (also known as “Statistics for Mission”), closed at Easter. However, INTENTIONALLY 11-12 September we are still keen to receive data from you if you are able to provide it. Southwark Cathedral will be one of 10 virtual stops at Christian Aid’s annual Your data can be submitted by Circle the City event this year. Each completing the Statistics for Mission stop will be plotted on an interactive form available at: southwark.anglican. map, with participants able to explore org/2020-statistics-for-mission-form via a series of videos. There will also The completed form, or any queries be two self-directed walking options. you may have in relation to this, Find more information and sign up at: should be e-mailed to data@ caid.org.uk/circle southwark.anglican.org 14 3 SEPTEMBER 2021 NOTICEBOARD NOTICEBOARD SEPTEMBER 2021 NOTICES Croydon University Southwark Cathedral Hospital Chaplaincy seeks confirmation service volunteers The next Diocesan Confirmation Can you or someone you know spare Service will take place at the half a day a week? The Croydon Cathedral on the eve of Christ the University Hospital Chaplaincy and King, 20 November at 6pm.