Over the last six years, many church leaders, church officers and diocesan staff will have encountered Jo Griffin – or at least her voice on the other end of a phone. Her role has mainly involved helping our parishes, Bishops and diocesan teams engage with the media and tell their story. But as she steps down from the Comms team to take care of her elderly parents, we wanted to hear more about her story of working in the Diocese of Leicester.
What have some of the highlights of your time working for the diocese?
It was rather amazing to be sent to Lambeth Palace in my first week to interview the Archbishop of Canterbury about his forthcoming visit to the diocese in November 2017 and there were some very memorable moments when he was here in Leicestershire. I was really moved by some of his stories and how he shared his personal faith.
Another very special memory for me was from Wakefield Cathedral when Bishop Guli launched the first Anglican dual language communion liturgy with a huge congregation of Iranian Christians, who like Guli, had fled from Iran, having been persecuted for their faith. It was incredible to worship alongside them as they, for the first time, were able to fully take part in the service even though many of them were still in the process of learning English.
I have lots of Vicar of Dibley-esque memories to do with gravestones, pews, bats and belfries. Looking back there have been some unexpected comms situations – I never expected to need to prepare quotes for reporters about a church having a McDonalds logo on its Christmas order of service because they were sponsoring the Christmas Tree Festival. And there was the moment I returned the personal bank statements of a national ITV newsreader which they’d left on a table after a media interview I’d set up in Loughborough (I remember their relieved face every time I see them on TV).
But it’s the moments of grace, faith and courage which will really stay with me. I’ll never forget the vicar who asked me to meet a family whose daughter had died tragically as a result of a crime, and who wanted support with handling media at her funeral. Seeing the enormous grace with which he supported them was a huge privilege. And I’ll continually be inspired by this diocese’s efforts to seek God’s Kingdom. From pioneering work (literally!) with fresh expressions and new forms of ministry in local communities, leading the way in trying to grow genuinely intercultural worship, and stepping out courageously – like when Bishop Martyn took the knee outside the Cathedral after the death of George Floyd.
What have you learned since working for the diocese?
Just how much more goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in the Church of England than I ever realised, even though I was brought up in the Anglican church.
I’ve also been given a much greater appreciation of the sacrificial service of PCC members, church officers, clergy and lay ministers, diocesan staff, Archdeacons, Bishops, and everyone who supports them. I don’t think many people outside the Church have the foggiest idea what it takes to maintain its presence in almost every community across the land.
What do you think you will miss the most?
The people! I’ve been blessed by working with an amazing team, and for humble and compassionate leaders who really are living out their faith and calling. I’ve so often had the joy of assisting a wide range of people, most of whom have either been doing something great which I’ve found inspiring, or responding to some really difficult situations where I have been privileged to see real discipleship at work.
I will always feel a sense of pride for having worked for the Diocese of Leicester, for our Bishops, our truly amazing Safeguarding team, and our Archdeacons as well as other colleagues and various clergy and lay people in parishes. I know I will look back on these years with great affection.
What are you looking forward to in your next step?
Gardening with my Dad and learning more about butterflies and plants from my Mum! I’m stopping paid work to spend more time with them. They’re both in their 80s and there are a variety of challenges ahead for them, and I want to be able to spend time with them now whilst there is time for me to listen to them and learn from them.
They’ve done a life-time of supporting me and my children and everything has always been busy and hectic. Now I have a chance to slow down and be alongside them properly. I share a strong faith in Jesus with my Mum but I hope this change will give me time in which I’ll have a chance to show my Dad more about what I believe and why.
How can we be praying for you?
That’s very generous. I would most value everyone’s prayer for the remaining Comms team and the recruitment of a replacement for me and Jon. I came to this role when God called me to do it, and I pray that God has someone else who’ll respond to this call now.
And for me, blessing for the next few years with my parents. I’ve recently been learning about being an Anna Friend; they’re helpers for Anna Chaplains who visit the elderly. Where I live is predominantly populated by older people, many live alone and with mobility issues, meaning they’re isolated and lonely. So, everything God is calling me to seems to be pointing to me to giving time to those in the later stages of life.