As previously reported, the Diocese of Leicester has been awarded £925,000 by the national church to support the next phase of developing and implementing our Shaped By God Together Strategy.
This funding will support the formation of Minster Communities over the next two to three years and ultimately enable us to better serve parishes, chaplaincies and church schools across the diocese.
Thanks to this funding from the national church, we have been able to make several new appointments, which we are delighted to announce:
Revd Barry Hill will take up a new short-term role as Strategy Development Enabler from 1 October 2023.
Barry will be further developing the diocese’s strategy to support and better resource the future mission and ministry of parish churches, fresh expressions and schools, with a continued focus on the Three Key Questions and five diocesan Strategic Priorities.
Barry, who will be stepping down from his roles as Team Rector of Harborough and Resourcing Church Enabler, says: “Jesus shows us that a clear strategy is critical and that people matter more than plans. Strategy done well should be everything we do, not another thing to do.
“Having ministered in churches of the diocese for almost two decades, I’m passionate about the importance of churches, schools, chaplaincies and diocesan staff seeing themselves, their passions and call in all we are and do together, as we seek to better serve with and reach the 1.1 million parishioners of the diocese with the transformative love of God.”
Luke Fogg has been appointed to the part-time role of Strategy Development Project Manager & Data Analyst, working alongside Barry and Claire Bampton, Diocesan Programme Manager. He will remain in his current role as Project Manager for the Intercultural Worshipping Communities (IWCs) on a part-time basis.
We remain fully committed to our Resourcing Churches and IWCs, and arrangements will be put in place to ensure that they both have appropriate support and leadership as Luke and Barry step into new roles.
The new funding awarded by the national church has also enabled the appointment of Beth Cluer as Senior Parish Transition Officer and Facilitation Lead.
Beth, who is currently working with churches already engaged in forming Minster Communities, will take on further responsibility for this, including leading a team of facilitators. Beth will also be taking particular responsibility for Communications related to Shaped By God Together and the formation of Minster Communities.
In this new role she will be supported by Anna Bland, as Parish Transition Administrator.
Following the resignation of the previous post-holder earlier in the year, we are also pleased to announce that Mariam Qassam will join the team as Shaped By God Together Programme Officer.
Read the news article here about our strategic capacity funding award.