Ad Clerum from Rt Revd Richard Jackson - April 23rd

Published on: 23rd April 2020

To all diocesan clergy and the churchwardens in the Ludlow Archdeaconry.
Dear friends

This comes with my best wishes and prayers for all of you as we continue to navigate this Covid-19 world. I want to thank you for your dedicated pastoral care in these times. I continue to be encouraged by the ingenious ways people are communicating and maintaining contact. Many of you are live streaming services, doing recorded meditations, even painting icons and sharing on YouTube. These are all wonderful things. However, I recognise that for a number of you such things are not possible for all sorts of very good reasons. Comparison is one of the most dangerous things we can do in ministry. In our social media age, all of us to some extent are comparing our own inner angst with everyone else’s show- reel! At the end of this we will be remembered for the quality of our pastoral care, not for the slickness of our presentations. All of us can care and foster connection, the telephone being universally available.

So, please carry on being imaginative, but please don’t beat yourself up if such multi-media wizardry is not possible. Also, please make sure you are taking care of yourself. There is an adrenalin fuelled quasi mania that accompanies the first stage of a crisis while we all set systems in place. For many of us that adrenalin rush is now easing off and we will be feeling down, perhaps even depressed. We can connect electronically, but it is no substitute for worship in our buildings and face to face contact. The pain of exile I mentioned in one of my videos a few weeks ago is very real. If you need to talk please do use the Hereford Diocesan Counselling Service. You can contact the co-ordinator, Fiona Quayle, on 01584 841840 or email fionaquayle@btinternet.com if you wish to have an anonymous chat. Derek and I will of course be happy to chat if you need that. I see honesty, authenticity and vulnerability a sign of strength and wisdom not weakness.

Finally, I wanted to let you know the details of cover for the Ludlow archdeaconry following Bishop Alistair’s retirement. Bishop Alistair’s last official day in office is Sunday 10 May. We wish Alistair and Louise well at this difficult time, given the uncertainties about moving house. Please continue to hold them in your prayers.

I am grateful to the Venerable George Howe for his support in assisting Bishop Alistair as Archdeacon of Ludlow.

From Monday 11 May Derek Chedzey will be commissioned as the acting Archdeacon of Ludlow, alongside his role as Archdeacon of Hereford. I have invited the Revd Stephanie Fountain and the Revd Prebendary Simon Cawdell to assist Derek in the deaneries of the Ludlow archdeaconry. George Howe will be available to offer support and advice to Derek, Stephanie and Simon until the end of August.

The Bishop of Hereford The Right Reverend Richard Jackson The Bishop’s House • The Palace • Hereford • HR4 9BN t: 01432 271355 e: bishop.hereford@hereford.anglican.org www.hereford.anglican.org

Jo Gibbon will continue to provide office support and can be contacted on the usual phone number and email. Tel: 01588 673571 Email: office@bishopofludlow.co.uk

Thanks to all who have accepted zoom appointments to meet with me. I look forward to meeting most of you in the next 6 weeks or so.

Every blessing

The Rt. Revd Richard Jackson

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