The Archdeacon of Cleveland, the Ven Dr Amanda Bloor, writes:
Earlier this year, Archbishop Stephen launched our refreshed Diocesan vision, ‘Living Christ’s Story’, and asked us to begin considering how we can re-shape our approach to mission and ministry in the Diocese in order to be ‘a joyful Church of missionary disciples.’
Deanery Leadership Teams have submitted their thoughts on that question and now it’s time for the second phase of the consultation to begin. Each PCC will be encouraged to think about how the vision can be implemented at a local level and what factors might be significant. It’s not an easy task, but it is an important one.
In his letter to the Philippians, St Paul talked about the joys of shared ministry and his faith that with Christ’s help, ‘good works’ would be completed. We all know that the last year has been particularly challenging; Covid restrictions have limited what we’ve been able to do, affected our finances and thrown up all sorts of questions about how to worship together and how we can continue to serve our communities. But out of that has come creativity and new initiatives. All sorts of good things are happening in the Diocese of York and we want to hear about them, as well as listening to the things that you identify as needing to change.
Together, sharing in God’s grace, we can all become the missionary disciples described by St Paul as ‘the saints in Christ Jesus’, overflowing with love for God and the world. We want to ‘reach, grow and transform’ and in and through that, to become more like Christ. It’s an exciting prospect and we need your help to do that.
‘I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Philippians 1:3-6)
Amanda Bloor