Bishop Richard has announced that he’ll be taking a three-month sabbatical starting in January 2025.
Clergy are encouraged to take a sabbatical from time to time to support personal and ministerial development – and bishops are no exception to that rule. Bishop Richard explains; “I’m planning to take a sabbatical from early January until mid-April 2025. I will be travelling to New Zealand where I intend to explore models of rural ministry and mission from a number of different perspectives. New Zealand is a very secular culture where only 6% of the population identify as Anglicans. This is learning that I hope will support our work here in our rural diocese. I am grateful to episcopal colleagues in the Church of Aotearoa who have already kindly offered hospitality and time to explore these issues. I also hope to spend time on retreat, and to catch up with reading.
“The diocese will be looked after by Bishop David Thomson who will be standing in for me in the day-to-day operation. He will be supported by Archdeacons Fiona and Derek who will take on some additional duties and will be granted additional episcopal responsibilities during my absence. I look forward to returning refreshed and ready for our journey together as we seek to proclaim Christ and grow disciples here in Hereford Diocese.”
All clergy are entitled to apply for a sabbatical every seven to ten years. The principle is taken directly from the Bible. The Bishop last took a sabbatical in 2016 when he was Bishop of Lewes.
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