Bishop Steven issues an encouragement to diocesan clergy ahead of the summer months: come away and rest.

Building rest into routine

As we come to the end of the school year, many thanks once again for your ministry and all you continue to offer to the parishes and communities you serve. It is much appreciated. I hope and pray that the summer brings space for rest and recreation and time for reflection and regathering.

One of the debates at General Synod focussed on rest and the clergy working week. The motion was brought by the Diocese of Winchester. Its aim was to ask the Archbishops’ Council to amend the Terms of Service Regulations for clergy, to entitle the clergy to not less than 36 hours of rest in every seven-day period – including an uninterrupted rest period of 24 hours.

The motion was overwhelmingly carried. It will be some time before the regulations are amended. But please take this as explicit permission within our own diocese to anticipate the new regulations and plan for at least 36 hours of rest in every week as much as you can.

I know from over 40 years of wrestling with the question that defining working hours, work/life balance and rest for clergy is seldom straightforward.

As you take holiday over the summer you might want to reflect with family or close friends whether you can build more rest into your week in the coming year.

Rest a while

National surveys remind us that many of us have not yet reset our patterns of retreats and quiet days following the lockdowns and pandemics. Again can we encourage you to put this in place for the coming year. If cover or funding is an issue please let your Area Team know.

Sabbath is a gift from God and necessary for human flourishing. When the disciples are hard pressed, according to Mark, and many are coming and going and they have no time even to eat, Jesus says to them and to us:

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”

Week by week, year by year, as those called to ministry, we need to hear and respond to that invitation.

Renewing ministry with children, young people and families

It’s been very good to hear recently about the energy in deaneries and parishes around the call to develop plans to renew ministry with children and young people and families.

Many deaneries are on course to have these plans in place by September or shortly afterwards, as requested by our Diocesan Synod in February. Where this is not the case, deaneries and parishes will need to have this as a very high priority for September. Thank you for all you are contributing to this vital work of renewal.

Come and See 2025

Come and See 2025 will be on the theme of baptism and ideal for those who are exploring faith and those who want to go deeper in their discipleship. We will be taking the four great images of earth, water, wind and fire as we explore the meaning of the symbolism of baptism and all that it means to be human.

As a diocese, we want every parish and every minister to take time in Lent every year to walk with those who are exploring faith and seeking to bring new Christians to baptism (whether through Come and See or in some other way). This follows the deep rhythm of the Christian year. I’d encourage you to begin praying now for the Spirit to draw new people to faith in the coming year.

With every blessing for safe and restful holidays over the summer months and good time with family and friends.