Stewards of The Gospel
In a recent pastoral letter, Bishop Alan Williams invited lay people within the Diocese of Brentwood to put themselves forward to play an important role in shaping its future. Called ‘Stewards of the Gospel’, these volunteers will use their talents to work closely with clergy, parishes and schools as part of the diocesan planning process. Appointed in each parish, a Steward will, with local clergy and parishioners, assess the resources available in the parish and locally to maximise the opportunities for evangelisation and sacramental provision. He or she will encourage discussion and be an advocate for their fellow parishioners, communicating their ideas, thoughts and concerns to the Diocesan Strategic Planning Group.
Stewards of the Gospel Joe Foroma, Our Lady and St Joseph,
Stanford le hope Michael Akinyemi, Our Lady Star of the Sea,
The Stewards of the Gospel throughout the diocese have been given key tasks:
• To examine their own parish, to find out what is going on and to pave the way for a plan for better evangelisation in and by the parish.
• To begin to discern “which parish belongs to which” when it comes to working together in future.
• To be a source of creative inspiration, looking for new ways to evangelise.
• To be the voice of the laity when it comes to discerning the principles and priorities on which future plans will be based.
• To be the voice of the laity when it comes to implementing the agreed principles in the particular local situation of their own parishes.
Latest Updates from Our Steward of the Gospel
Update -7 August 2017
Steven Webb, Diocesan Director of Development, has written to the Stewards of all parishes to launch the proposed strategy, which aims to maximise the opportunities for evangelisation and sacramental provision across the diocese, given the resources available during the decades to come.
Update - December 2017
The Diocesan Strategic Planning Group has published the first formal proposal on the renewal and restructuring of our diocese as we work together to evangelise. “We will now be moving to think beyond our existing parish boundaries and outside our comfort zones as we seek our appropriate response to God’s love…recognising that everyone is valued and valuable”(See page 4 of the Booklet “Working together to evangelise”. 10 booklets explaining this first proposal are available at the Church for parishioners to borrow and read (and return so that others too can have access them). We are all invited to pray over the proposals now being made for the future of our diocese.
It is emphasised that these are only proposals and no firm decisions have yet been made and therefore your input, comments and suggestions are very much welcome.
A DVD is also available for those who would like to listen to Bishop Alan explaining where we are now and the importance of your input in this our discernment journey together. See our Diocesan News website page.
Let us all pray each day for The Holy Spirit to guide us as we discern what the future of our diocese will be. Your input and participation in this process is most important. Our vision remains to “Proclaim The Good News of Jesus Christ in Essex and East London”.
Please click the link below to be directed to our website Diocesan News page to access all Pastoral Letters, and DVDS about the change process.
Stewards of the Gospel Joe Foroma, Our Lady and St Joseph, Stanford le hope Michael Akinyemi, Our Lady Star of the Sea,
- 96 Dock Rd
- Tilbury
- Essex
- RM18 7BT
01375 842309
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