Conference 2024

Our diocesan conference was filled with warmth, friendship and positivity as around 150 people came together at St Teilo’s High School.

The event was split into two sessions – conference business, followed by a deeper exploration of our culture and values as an organisation.

Opening worship was led by members of Newport Cathedral, before we got down to business.

Ven Jonathan Williams introduced a motion regarding the establishment of a Diocesan Council, which was seconded by Bob Evans before being passed.

Bishop Cherry paid tribute to Peter Lea as he stepped down as Chair of the DBF after being part of the committee for more than 24 years. New Chair, Ian Loynd gave his first address to Conference as he took everyone through the accounts for 2023 and the budget for 2024. Ian spoke of a largely ‘break-even’ budget, highlighting how supporting ministry areas is at the heart of financial decisions.

However, it was Bishop Cherry’s presidential address which shaped proceedings for the day. She spoke of reaching the “halfway point” in her episcopate during the summer, which she felt was “significant.” It prompted her to reflect on the past four years and what had been achieved.

She spoke of successfully restructuring the diocese in ministry areas; developing support networks for clergy and key lay officers and securing significant chunks of external from the Church in Wales. She also spoke of the “endless stories of what has been achieved in each of our local areas.”

It has not all been positive however, and Bishop Cherry spoke of the challenges that remain and the hard work which is still required.

She said: “God invites us to rejoice in the blessings he gives us and to work with him in making the most of what we have rather than forever wishing we had more.”

Turning to what the next four-five years have in store, Bishop Cherry spoke of a change of culture since she was enthroned in 2020.

She explained: “The mood is markedly different. The tone of our conversations and the way we deal with one another has changed. In other words, we’ve managed together, to shift the culture of the diocese to one that is, I believe, more wholesome, more Christ-like. A culture that reflects increasingly the nature of God as we see it in Jesus Christ.”

‘Culture’ was the key word for the day and Bishop Cherry spoke of it as “DNA; the threads of the character that run through it all. It will either support and enhance our work and ministry or it will undermine and jeopardize it.”

She added: “….developing a culture across this diocese that reflects the nature of God as we see it in Jesus Christ is the one thing that I see as being paramount….”

Drawing from our Culture Guide, which was launched earlier in the year, Bishop Cherry spoke of the values which were identified following lengthy consultation.

Love, generosity, joy, humility, courage and integrity are qualities we should demonstrate at every level of our life together.

She spoke of developing a culture across this diocese that “reflects the nature of God as we see it in Jesus Christ” which she considers paramount. She concluded that this needed to be “Intentional” and that it would be the focus of her ministry and prayer over the next four years.

With Bishop Cherry’s words still fresh in their minds and a welcome cuppa and croissant, six representatives from across the diocese took to the stage to describe what each value means to the diocese. Each of the contributors spoke passionately and engagingly about their individual value and it gave the rest of the delegates plenty to discuss in their follow-up sessions.

Our Values were explored more closely during our Diocesan Conference.

Introducing the session, Ven Ian Rees, Archdeacon of Monmouth, said: "We’ve done some of the necessary business parts of the conference and that is really important to do. We often moan about the money and the structures and things and they can be tiring and difficult things to deal with, but we do them right to ensure that we are well equipped to do what we are here for as a church as we seek to focus on being and making new disciples. And that involves relationships, a relationship with God obviously, but a relationship with other people too.

"The way we do our business, and the way we do anything else is important, because we’re dealing with people, lovely people, nice people, kind people, and sometimes more difficult people ! But how we behave with any of them makes a difference…

"There’s a saying that, ‘there are 5 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and us and most people don’t read the first 4’… How we behave with each other in our churches and with the people and communities all around us, as well as those further afield, makes a huge difference.

"That was the reason for putting together the culture guide which was launched earlier this year. Please take a look at it and don’t just leave it on a shelf – it’s a reminder to us all of how we conduct ourselves and how we live out the values mentioned in it, but it also gives details of what living out those values will help us to be as individuals and as a church.

"For this part of conference, we’re going to spend some time focusing on the six values, Love, Generosity, Joy, Humility, Integrity and Courage – these were arrived at after consultation with lots of different groups of people in the diocese. These haven’t been chosen from a senior team and passed down, these values are ones identified by all of those groups… They belong to us all and hopefully make sense to us all!"

Six members from across the diocese spoke passionately about each of their individual values, prompting further discussion later in the morning!

We will be adding these videos and transcripts over the coming weeks, so watch this space.....

During our Diocesan Conference, Bishop Cherry paid a wonderful tribute to Peter Lea, who has stepped down as chair of the DBF.

Peter has been a member of the DBF since 2000, a total of 24 years, with 16 served as Chair.

Bishop Cherry, said: “It is my great pleasure to pay tribute to Peter’s ministry amongst us as Chair of the DBF and to thank him for all that he has brought to the life of the diocese over the years.

“Peter has steered the diocese with a steadiness and a wisdom that has enabled it to navigate some turbulent times. His gentle, supportive and encouraging outward manner belies a steeliness inside that has enabled him to challenge when necessary and take some difficult decisions when appropriate. I remember my very first conversation with Peter was about the need for a review of the diocesan office at that time with a view to streamlining and restructuring it.

“Peter is a person of prayer and deep faith. He understands what the church is here to be and to do and the need for the DBF to use the resources to support the church’s life and purpose.

“His care and support for the diocesan office staff has been exemplary and I know that they have written their own card to him, expressing their gratitude for all that he has been and offered to them throughout his time as Chair.”

Peter didn’t want a leaving gift so, instead, a donation was made to Ty Mawr on his behalf – a place he loves and visits regularly.

Thanking Peter for all that he has done in his service to the DBF and wider diocese he was presented with cards and flowers as a small token of love and appreciation.