The Archdeacon of Dudley, Nikki Groarke, has written this article for September editions of parish magazines.
Back in June I had the immense privilege of being part of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) responsible for discerning who our next Bishop of Worcester should be. I am delighted by the outcome, and am looking forward immensely to serving alongside Bishop Hugh when he comes to join us in the new year.
A question posed during that process caused me to reflect on what I have learned about the Diocese of Worcester during the episcopal vacancy. Let me share a few of my observations.
In the Statement of Needs, describing the diocese for potential future bishops, we named our key characteristic as being relational. Relating well to one another across different traditions and contexts is part of Bishop John’s legacy. What has really encouraged me, is that a year on, it is still a core part of who we are. Even during this season of change, with the natural uncertainty that comes during a vacancy, we have continued to relate well, bound together by our common commitment to be kingdom people.
Our transformation journey is exciting, and is bearing fruit as churches become healthier and more sustainable, we see more children and young people being reached, and new disciples formed and nurtured. Each of the candidates we interviewed was inspired by our vision and impressed by progress so far, and I don’t think that’s just because they were hoping to make a good impression! The clarity of our long-term plan, our clear priorities and the way we were able to engage people across the diocese in conversation have been praised by the national Vision and Strategy Team who often point others to us for advice on how to do it well. It was clearly a key factor in drawing potential candidates to explore whether they might be called to serve here.
We navigate difference well. The CNC process has been complex and divisive in some dioceses, and in a couple of cases members were unable to coalesce around a nomination. We worked really hard with the wider Vacancy in See Committee, and then as a group of six reps together with the national CNC members, to build consensus by committing to open and transparent dialogue, careful listening to build shared understanding, and prayerful discernment. We related carefully across our differences because we each trusted in a shared goal of finding the absolute best person under God to be our next bishop. I felt proud of how we had conducted ourselves, and came away with renewed hope for the future …. and an even stronger conviction that Worcester is the best diocese in the world to be part of!
I hope you will join me in your parish in praying for Bishop Hugh over the coming months as he prepares to come and join us on our transformation journey, and begins to build relationship with the varied and wonderful people across this fabulous diocese.
Nikki Groarke, Archdeacon of Dudley
