Bishop Jonathan is delighted to announce the appointment of two new volunteer advisers for the Gypsy Roma Traveller community and two new Living in Love and Faith chaplains.
In sharing the appointments, Bishop Jonathan said:
"Our Called Together vision has at its heart a commitment that growing safe and healthy cultures will be integral to the outworking of the vision as our churches engage with the varied communities that are present in local parishes.
"The kingdom of God is a kingdom of welcome where diversity is celebrated and the giftedness of everyone contributes to the health and safety of all.
He continued:
"This is premised on the biblical truth that people are created in the image of God and in community reflect something of the nature of God’s love, justice and peace."
Gypsy Roma Traveller advisers
There are a number of Gypsy Roma Traveller communities in Rochester Diocese - some are transient and some resident.
Many of the community are Christian and seek to live out their faith but may only connect with the parish church through funerals or baptisms.
Members of the Gypsy Roma Traveller community are often mis-understood, vilified and made unwelcome in their local area even though it is often their home.
The advisers offer support to local churches and advocacy for Travellers so communities can flourish in each other’s company.
The two new advisers are:
- Andrew Hill - a Licensed Lay Minister Andrew Hill from the Bexley Team Ministry
- Jackie Bennett - an Evangelist from East Peckham and Nettlestead.
Both Andrew and Jackie have extensive experience of ministering among Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.
Churches are welcome to contact Andrew and Jackie who will be pleased to support them in respect of ministry among our Gypsy Roma Traveller communities
- Andrew Hill ajhill.btm1@gmail.com
- Jackie Bennett: jackiebennett2006@btinternet.com
Living in Love and Faith (LLF) chaplains
The Living in Love and Faith debate has generated a range of responses across church traditions and among individuals.
These take into account biblical and social understandings of what it means to be in relationship one with another, particularly in respect of close intimate relationships.
The debates, and the responses held by individuals and churches sit within the diocesan strategy of growing safe and healthy cultures.
If, as a diocesan-family, we are to realise this intention, then we will need to find ways to live together well, to rejoice in our diversity and celebrate the giftedness of all, to call out where people are excluded on the grounds of sexuality or gender, and to support those who find the Living in Love and Faith process personally painful because of the position they hold which they believe is right for lots of reasons.
The LLF chaplains are:
- Rev Steve Padfield - Chaplain at Kings School Rochester and Priest Vicar at the Cathedral
- Rev Joss Walker - Priest in Charge of Longfield, Fawkham and Hartley.
The chaplains are available for those who have questions relating to LLF and for those whom the process raises a number of negative emotions.
The chaplains will be present and will contribute to events that support those who feel marginalised or unsafe because questions of sexuality and relationships affect them so personally.
Please chaplains will be glad to listen and support you whatever your position.
Joss and Steve can be contacted at llf.chaplain@rochester.anglican.org