18 July 2024
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani's Pastoral Letter sent on 18 July 2024.
The letter can be viewed here or the text read below.
18th July 2024
Dear friends,
I wanted to be in touch before the summer holidays begin. The main reason for writing is to assure you of my continued prayers and to thank you, once again, for all that you do and the many ways in which you contribute to the life of our Diocese. I very much hope that in the coming weeks and months many of you will manage to have a break from your responsibilities, with some time for rest and refreshment. I’m deeply conscious that for many the pace of life seems to get faster and the demands greater and so we have to be intentional about putting time aside for those things that bring us joy and help us slow down.
New Ministries
At a recent gathering with Area Deans and Lay Chairs, we were reminded by Paula Gooder, who was leading the day for us, that collaborative ministry is at the heart of the New Testament and that we should strive to model that in our own time: between lay and ordained, young and old, people of every kind of difference. A particular joy for me recently was the service held at the Cathedral last Saturday to celebrate Lay Ministries across the Diocese and to Admit and License new Lay Ministers. It was a delight to join with so many others for this joyful occasion which is one of the highlights of the year. I hope you will join me in supporting and praying for these new colleagues and also holding in your prayers those preparing to be ordained deacon and priest at Michaelmas.
Wellbeing
You may be aware that at the recent meeting of General Synod there was a debate on Rest Periods for Office Holders and a motion was passed requesting the Archbishops’ Council to bring before Synod draft Regulations to amend the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) so that an office holder be entitled to not less that 36 hours rest period in a week. I want to reiterate my encouragement (first made in my second Pastoral Letter in July 2021) that the time off taken by full time stipendiary clergy should include two consecutive days off once a month. It’s a practice I endeavour to follow myself and which I find very beneficial. I’m heartened by the Synod debate and believe it’s helpful for us to continue talking about matters relating to wellbeing. Meanwhile, I remain of the view that in ministry it is difficult to aim for perfect balance on a daily or weekly basis but that it is vital we should seek healthy rhythms that are sustainable, allowing us to flourish and enjoy life in all its fulness.
I have recently received feedback from meetings that Andy Griffiths has undertaken with Deanery Well-being Champions, on behalf of the Well-being Implementation Group. It was good to read of a returning sense of hopefulness and better morale as we continue to emerge from the difficult period of Covid lockdown, though some anxiety remains around the uncertainty created by issues such as sustainability and the Prayers of Love and Faith. I’m deeply conscious that some clergy are experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted. Please do attend to your working patterns and ensure appropriate time off. Please also consider making use of the programme of well-being activities arranged by the Well-being Implementation Group. These include peer support groups, mentoring, counselling, retreat and study days. Further details can be found here.
I’m also conscious that greater support for SSMs is needed and have, therefore, asked the Archdeacon of Chelmsford, The Venerable Jonathan Croucher, to take responsibility for that Portfolio across the Diocese. I’m grateful to all who participated in these conversations, and to the Deanery Champions, +Lynne, Andy Griffiths and the Well-being Implementation Group.
Living in Love and Faith
You may also be aware that General Synod was updated on the work of Living in Love and Faith since February 2024, and voted narrowly in favour of a motion to support various proposals according to a time table laid out in GS 2358 which can be viewed by clicking here. This means the period of uncertainty and discernment will continue until February 2025. General Synod made very clear that people on all sides of this debate are required to compromise if we are to find an approach that allows as many as possible to stay united and remain within the Church of England. Clearly, this is proving very difficult indeed and I’m acutely aware that this remains a difficult and painful time for many. We have been holding a series of different conversations in the Diocese over recent months and are considering how best to continue those in the Autumn. For now, I simply want to reiterate my commitment, and that of my colleagues on the Bishop’s Leadership Team, to supporting clergy and congregations whatever their decision regarding PLF and creating space for people with very different views to live alongside one another, valuing our diversity and loving one another.
I was heartened recently by a series of conversations held at the Cathedral between Paul Kennington, the Interim Dean, and Rob Merchant, the Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education. The three conversations were entitled “The rest is Anglicanism” and were very much appreciated by those who attended. I am immensely grateful to Paul and Rob for modelling a way of engaging creatively with our differences and in the process seeking to help us understand more deeply our Anglican tradition and what it means to love one another across a whole range of differences. I very much hope there will be further opportunities for similar conversations.
Administration of Communion
In the exceptional circumstances of the Covid pandemic, exceptional arrangements were necessarily made in many parishes for the administration of communion. Any parish which has not already returned to the normal Church of England practice of administration in both kinds, and offering the chalice (or common cup) to each communicant, must now do so. (It, of course, remains permissible for anyone who chooses to receive in one kind.)
It is important that, as in other matters, the statute and canon law of the Church is observed in relation to the administration of the sacrament of Holy Communion. In particular, the use of individual cups is not authorised.
I am aware that a number of lawyers have produced a document attempting to justify the use of individual cups. They are, of course, entitled to their view, but it does not represent the position of the Church of England. Moreover, that view is inconsistent with the authoritative analysis and advice provided by the Legal Advisory Commission of the Church of England, which is clear on this point. As I read recently, “Drinking from an individual rather than a shared cup is not something about which we can be indifferent because it undermines a spiritual principle. At the Eucharist, the cup from which we drink is not our own, it is Christ’s, Christ’s cup containing Christ’s blood, shed for many so it may be shared by them”.
Church Buildings Support Conversations
In my most recent Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod, I mentioned that part of the Travelling Well Together vision is the need for diocesan wide conversations to help us understand better how to use our central resources in a way that responds as much as possible to the needs being expressed. The first of these conversations is about how we ensure those who care for our church buildings are given the support they need to maintain, manage and improve them. An advisory group of people from a wide variety of roles and contexts across our diocese is currently discerning the priority areas for discussion. They would welcome your thoughts and ideas. Please do take the opportunity to have your say and make this conversation known to others in your church community. You can find out more about the Church Buildings Support Conversation here.
And finally…
As I write, the country is emerging from a recent General Election and a new Government is settling into office. I have written to all outgoing MPs, as well as returning and new MPs, in the Diocese of Chelmsford to offer my thanks and assure them of my prayers and desire to work well with them. I shall continue to offer a voice in the House of Lords, to the best of my ability, especially on matters relating to Housing and Immigration, Asylum and Refugees. But my priority remains the responsibilities I have here in the Diocese of Chelmsford and I sign off, as ever, with a deep sense of gratitude for our shared ministry, and thankfulness to God for the many blessings we enjoy as a Diocese.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Yours,
The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani
Bishop of Chelmsford
