Bishop plans autumn visitation

The Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, is to host two special evenings in the autumn with representatives from parishes across the Diocese to renew his visitation process.

Dr Redfern last held Visitation evenings in 2008 and the Bishop is keen to continue a conversation as the Diocese moves forward and responds to the changing context across the whole Diocese.

The Bishop will meet with church representatives on from the Derby archdeaconry on Monday 15 October at Derby Cathedral and from the Chesterfield Archdeaconry on Tuesday 16 October at St John’s, Walton.

“In 2008 I did a Visitation inviting all licensed ministers and churchwardens to offer brief reflections on key themes and then inviting people to gather for feedback and further reflection together.

He added: “I propose to conduct a Visitation in 2012 inviting responses to a brief questionnaire after Easter and then issuing invitations to the Cathedral or St John’s in the autumn.”

Parishes have been engaged in Mission Action Planning since the last Bishop’s Visitation and many are in the advanced stages of planning their work in local communities.