Churchwardens will be gathering this month at seven Visitation services across the Diocese to celebrate and affirm their ministry as they formally take up their offices for another year.
The services will be led by Christopher Bryan, Archdeacon of Malmesbury, and Michael Johnson, Acting Archdeacon of Bristol, and will include the legal swearing-in and commissioning of the churchwardens as elected Bishops Officers and senior lay leaders in mission in their parishes.
The theme of our services this year will focus on the Journey of Invitation, encouraging parishes to think about how they are creating a culture of invitation in their own contexts.
| Deanery and Archdeacon | Venue | Date and time |
| Kingswood and South Glos (Christopher Bryan) |
Holy Trinity, Kingswood BS15 4AD | Wednesday 8 May 7.30pm |
| Bristol West (Michael Johnson) |
All Saints, Clifton BS8 2HY | Thursday 9 May 7.30pm |
| Swindon (Christopher Bryan) |
St John, Parks, Swindon SN3 2LG | Sunday 12 May 6.30pm |
| Bristol South (Michael Johnson) |
St Francis, Ashton Gate BS3 1JP | Tuesday 14 May 7.30pm |
| City (Michael Johnson) | B&A Church, St Andrews BS6 5BZ | Wednesday 15 May 7.30pm |
| Chippenham (Christopher Bryan) |
St Paul, Chippenham SN15 1PS | Thursday 16 May 7.30pm |
| North Wiltshire (Christopher Bryan) |
Holy Cross, Sherston Magna SN16 0LR |
Sunday 19 May 6.30pm |
Each service will be followed by light refreshments.
The legal admittance of churchwardens to office for the coming year forms a key part of the Visitation service so it is particularly important that those who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church meetings make every effort to attend a service.
We also hope that churchwardens who are standing down from office this year will want to attend to reflect and give thanks on all that has been achieved during their period of service. Clergy and those who support churchwardens in their work in the parishes are also encouraged to attend.