Women from across the diocese gathered online on Monday, July 28, to take part in our public consultation about the next Bishop of Leeds.
The meeting was an opportunity to discuss more fully our consultation questions, and to share experiences and hopes.
Some 20 women attended, from curates to those who are retired, from each Episcopal Area and from both rural and urban parishes.
It lasted an hour, with an outline from General Synod reps of the appointments process, and the role and membership of the Vacancy in See committee and the CNC.
Those present appreciated the consultation and the importance of feeling confident to minister in the Diocese of Leeds.
It was noted that the work that Bishop Nick has done in bringing the three historic dioceses together means that the new Bishop will be dealing with a very different diocese from what Bishop Nick inherited.
Our public consultation process means we would like your answers to three questions, which are:
- What are your three hopes for the future of the church in your community?
- What three words describe the main skills and qualities the next Bishop of Leeds needs to have, to help us grow in confidence as a diocese?
- What is the one thing you want to say to the next Bishop of Leeds?
A wide variety of qualities, skills and hopes were shared at the meeting, and included someone who can bring unity across various aspects of diversity, including theology, protected characteristics, funding, church tradition and context.
Also sought is someone who is warm, approachable and a good communicator across all ages; and can communicate within and outside the church, at local, diocesan and national level.
Other characteristics mentioned included being a person of integrity, commanding respect within and outside the church and able to reach out to communities of different backgrounds, from rural farming communities to inner city parishes.
They also discussed a need for recognition that churches include members who rely on foodbanks and suffer from violence or addiction, and that it would be good to have someone who is inspirational and motivational and a pastor not a line manager, who can hold to account and speak with authority, but also committed to clergy wellbeing across the range of ministry, age and experience.
Also talked about was a need for the next Bishop of Leeds to be an evangelist, passionate about mission, with experience of parish ministry and preferably of multi parish ministry recognising its challenges, and who would be prayerful and committed to justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
There were hopes for growth in numbers, depth and unity in both church and community and for a collaborative approach.
There was also discussion of project funding, ensuring effective monitoring and can contribute thoughtfully to national conversations around funding.
It was agreed that Bishop Nick will be a hard act to follow!
To find out more about our public consultation, and to respond to it, please click here.
To find out more about our Vacancy in See process, please click here.