2016 Diocesan Review2016 Diocesan Review

www.cofe-worcester.org.uk

The role of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) is to enable the resourcing of the Church throughout the Diocese. Our Kingdom People strategic plan aims to address the long

term gradual decline in and increasing age profile of church membership. The DBF is investing in growth and has judiciously committed £0.5 million of its unrestricted reserves, along with national funding, into the Calling Young Disciples project which focusses on our key priority. This was launched in 2016 with the appointment of the Project Director and work in parishes where Mission Enablers will be based.Our bedrock work is that of the training, stipends, housing and support of the clergy and lay workers in the 167 parishes of the Diocese. To fund this we are largely dependent on both Parish Share and diocesan investments. Parish Share contributed £4.6 million towards our total expenditure of £8.1 million and we share thanks together for the hard work which enabled this.However, in 2016 alone the amount of uncollected Parish Share was around £1 million. This represents lost mission opportunities and an unequal sharing of our resources. So, I am delighted we have a new Stewardship Officer to focus on this priority to challenge us both as individuals and parishes to respond to our all-giving God. This will be against the background of our new Parish Share formula, which despite some issues is being welcomed in many parts of the Diocese.Across our diocese we are reliant upon one another, and as ever I am immensely grateful to all who sacrificially gave of their time and money in order that together we can respond to God’s call.

Canon Alastair Findlay, Chair of the Worcester Diocesan Board of Finance Limited

From the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance

Copies of the Annual Report & Accounts for 2016 of the Worcester Diocesan Board of Finance Limited are available on request from its Registered Office at The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester.

The Board is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England (No. 271752) and a Registered Charity No. 247778.

From Bishop John2016 was a good year for the Diocese of Worcester. Most notably, it saw the launch of our innovative Calling Young Disciples Project which we hope and pray will bear rich fruit in bringing the good news of God’s love for them in

Jesus to very many young people.

For me a particular highlight of the year was the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A great deal of work was put in to ensuring that it would be a great celebration and when it happened, the joy of the visit surpassed all expectations. The Archbishop left excited and enthused by all the good things that are happening here and, we in our turn, were encouraged and inspired by his ministry in our midst. The Archbishop was very complimentary about us and his staff said it was one of the best visits he had done.

I pray that during this coming year we shall build upon this and move ever deeper into our vocation to be Kingdom People whose lives speak eloquently of God’s love to everyone and especially those who are not, or not yet, believers.

Kingdom Peoplelove • compassion • justice • freedom

Jesus Christ Superstarat Chaddesley Corbett Ecumenical Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Project Director for Calling Young Disciples

Easter trail at Holy Innocents, KidderminsterGerman partnership three

denominations conference

Pilgrim’s Quest

New Chaplain at Evesham Hospital

Pray One for Me

Angel WIngs at Cradley

Good Friday at Bromsgrove

2016 Diocesan Review2016 Diocesan Review

Holland House Anniversary

Wash Day with Children’s Council

Archbishop Justin visits the diocese

Bishop’s Certificate

200th Open the Book in Kingswinford

Bishop Graham visits Dudley Emergency Services

Confirmations in Pensnett

The Noise Youth Mission

Kingdom Arts at St George’s

Boys2Men project in Redditch

Messy Church in Droitwich

50th Anniversary of the Diocese of Morogoro