In a letter and recorded message, Bishop Jonathan has invited the diocesan-family to view the first of a series of quarterly updates on progress around the diocesan Called Together vision.
- Read Bishop Jonathan's invitation message in full below or watch here
- View the Autumn 2025 - Vision update
Dear sisters and brothers,
I am delighted to be able to share with you today an update on the work on our shared diocesan vision and strategy.
I am sure you'll remember that back in March, we were able to announce that the National Church, through the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board, had awarded us a grant of almost £11 million to invest in our vision and strategy to change, serve and grow, as we seek together to serve the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Rochester.
People have been wondering, of course, what's been happening since then? And the short answer is a great deal.
Much work has been taking place over the spring and summer to finalise the details with the National Church concerning the vision’s expected overall outcomes, what they are expecting of us, the governance structures for managing this very significant investment, and the process for reporting on the way the work is going.
All of that has been necessary so that we could finally draw down the funds that have been promised and begin the first phases of this ambitious and hope-filled plan for the Diocese.
The good news is that all this is now in place, after a great deal of work behind the scenes, enabling us to start mobilising the programme of work that will help us to:
- Grow and sustain confident mission-focused leaders, both lay and ordained
- Nurture faith in the next generation
- Use targeted investments to encourage and support growth and to resource other parishes through that learning
- Strengthen those parishes who are especially facing financial and missional challenges, coming alongside one another
- Meet our commitments to growing safe and healthy churches that are diverse, inclusive and that allow everyone to experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised.
What I would like to encourage you to do is to head to the Vision page of the diocesan website to view a full update on progress so far, or you can click the link here: Called Together – Autumn 2025 update
This update will also be linked to in the next Digest, and we’ll share regular updates like this throughout the year ahead. Please do use and share this information in your parishes and other settings, to let others know what is happening.
God really is at work here in the Diocese of Rochester and we all have a part to play in making it into a reality.
I am so excited about all that is to come and so thankful for all those who have done so much to bring us this far and have committed to taking this forward in the years to come.
I hope you too will be excited and encouraged to play your part so that God's Church in our Diocese may flourish and grow, and God’s name be glorified.
Thank you for your share in the work of the gospel.
With my prayers and blessings
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs
The Bishop of Rochester