The Annual Report and Accounts, sharing the story of the diocesan family over the last year, are now available online.
Alongside sharing the financial health of the diocese, they also tell the story of the fantastic ministry that is taking place in churches, chaplaincies and schools, alongside support from colleagues in the Diocesan Office Support Teams.
The report also recognises the challenges being experienced – locally and nationally - around the recruitment of sufficient numbers of clergy to replace the many of those ordained in the 1980s that are now retiring.
Reflecting on the report, Bishop Jonathan says that he is so encouraged by what he has read, but also in what he sees and hears as he visits different places around the diocese,
“Despite the challenges, what is quite clear to me as I visit parishes, schools and other places across this Diocese, is the great sense that God is doing a new thing and calling a new generation - particularly young people - to himself.
“I see it through the wonderful testimonies of people coming to faith, growing as disciples and doing great things in their communities. I see it in this report too, through the many examples of simple, faithful service and witness, that it includes.”
These signs are borne out in the good news to be found in recently released figures (Statistics for Mission 2025) included in the report, which show a significant increase in Usual Sunday Attendance within the Diocese of Rochester of 6.9 per cent among children and 2.8 per cent among adults.
Bishop Jonathan says that this, alongside the work of the vision and strategy is good news, “Through the programme of work underway around the Vision, we are seeking to build upon and nurture what is already happening on the ground in parishes.
“I therefore remain excited and hopeful about all that is still to be realised among the people and places of this Diocese, and I pray God’s blessing on the lives that are - and that are yet to be - enriched and changed through relationship with God”