Belonging in, praying for, and caring for people and parishes in Stepney Area is the core of Bishop Joanne’s role. She is also the lead bishop for safeguarding on behalf of Bishop Sarah; works alongside Bishop Graham in supporting the work of the Compassionate Communities team; and, with Monica Bolley, chairs the Racial Justice Priority Group. Here are some of the key events and commitments in Bishop Joanne’s for the next couple of months:
- Service at St Matthew’s Upper Clapton
- Confirmations at St Paul’s West Hackney, St Mary’s Upper Street, St Mary’s Hornsey Rise,
- Licencing of Revd Alice Smith at St Thomas Finsbury Park,
- Welcoming Ven Peter Farley Moore as Archdeacon of Hackney on 10 April at Hackney Church and 24 April at St Paul’s Cathedral
- Funeral for Revd Stuart Lee, 13 April
- Stepney Area Conference 9-11 May
- Leading an external review team for Truro Cathedral, at the invitation of the Bishop of Truro: details here: https://trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/reviewers-intro-letter.pdf
- Regular meetings with the Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Fund bid team, and contributing to finalizing our part of the Stage 2 bid
- First meeting of the newly elected Stepney Area Council
- Visiting Stepney All Saints Church of England Academy and spending time in classes, being interviewed by students, and in conversation with Principal Paul Woods
- Liaison with Met Police representative about the protection of clergy as public figures
- Attending protest rally about the treatment of Child Q and her family, at Hackney Town Hall
- Board Meeting and Governance Committee of Trust for London
- Stepney Area Lent Quiet Day, with Revd Prebendary Jeremy Crossley
- Mentoring three clergy who are exploring their leadership potential
- Concluding mentoring a Strategic Leadership Development Group thinking about Leading Local Change
- Joining the National Safeguarding Steering Group at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury
- Working with Katie O’Conor from the Children and Youth Team to pilot a contextual safeguarding course for working with young people
- Chairing the Diocese’s Racial Justice Priority Group with Monica Bolley, and working with consultant Steph Ajayi on developing a programme of work for this priority
- Speaking to the National Deaneries Network about safeguarding and wellbeing
- Hosting a lunch for churches which work across Stepney and Barking episcopal areas and introducing Bishop Lynne Cullens to that group.
- Meeting prospective ordinands with a view to sponsoring them for ordination, so that they can move into Stage 2 of the new discernment process
- Meeting or visiting individual clergy or parishes to learn more about their hopes and challenges.
- Some time off in the school Easter holidays and May half term, and a brief visit to Oslo which will include meeting Bishop Kari Veiteberg and talking about her city social engagement work
