Life with a capital L

Thank you to all those who have shared in our consultation programme over the last year as we sought to devise a strategy for evangelisation. All responses were read and taken into account and, I hope, in one way or another, reflected in the outcome. As you will see from this edition of The DOOR the Diocesan Synod overwhelmingly endorsed our Sharing Life programme which sets out the principles priorities and values which will shape and direct our life in the years ahead.

This is of course not meant to replace, but to complement and reinforce what so many parishes are doing already. There are however three points of difference from what has happened before. First, it is our intention that Sharing Life should be taken into every aspect of Diocesan life, not just individual parishes. We will expect those being appointed to new positions in the Diocese, those hoping to be ordained, and parishes looking for new ministers and forms of ministry to share and work with our vision for a renewed Church. Secondly, there is now a much more widely shared sense of the seriousness of the situation which faces us. Many more people now realise that we can't simply go on as before. This is reflected in particular in the third of the principles set out in the Sharing Life leaflet. Thirdly, Sharing Life is not just about words. It is about the distinctiveness and quality of the life we share with one another and which we draw from Christ.

As human beings we all want Life, not mere existence measured out in coffee spoons but Life with a capital L. This is true life, authentic life, when we are fully and richly alive. It is nothing less than the giving and receiving of love which belongs to the heart of the Godhead, which is incarnate in Jesus Christ and which through his Holy Spirit comes to characterise our life with one another and our service of the wider community.

Please pray for God's blessing on what we are seeking to do in his name.

With every good wish in Christ.

+ Richard Oxon