At two services in June, churchwardens from across the Diocese celebrated and affirmed their ministry as they formally took up their offices for another year. The services, known as ‘Archdeacons Visitations’, took place at St Stephen’s, Southmead, and St Peter’s, Chippenham, and gave the Archdeacons an encouraging moment to say thank you for the vocation of churchwardens and an opportunity for churchwardens to see one another and catch up.
The services were led by the Ven Becky Waring, Archdeacon of Bristol, and the Ven Christopher Bryan, Archdeacon of Malmesbury, and included the legal swearing-in and commissioning of the churchwardens as elected Bishop’s Officers and senior lay leaders in mission in their parishes.
Before the service, attendees had the opportunity to read a copy of this year's Archdeacons' Visitations News, which gives a snapshot of the last year across the Diocese as well as details of how to access diocesan support and several events to look forward to. You can read the online version below
In the opening of this year's Archdeacons' Visitations News, the Archdeacons said:
“As Archdeacons, we see remarkable things happening across the Diocese, both in churches that are well resourced and those that seem to have little. Thank you for all that you offer in your ministry as churchwardens”
We give thanks for the valuable ministry of churchwardens in supporting their churches and communities and pray that they would flourish in this next year of their roles.