New name, new chapter

As our diocesan staff's dedication to supporting parishes and schools continues, at times there are changes to our staffing and how the appropriate support is to be brokered or offered.

Director of Parish Support, Governance and Administration Elizabeth Harvey says:

"As is well-established in other dioceses, the DAC team at Church House has been renamed the Church Buildings team, creating a clearer link between the name and purpose of the team. The Church Buildings team is responsible for advising and assisting parishes in their care for Church buildings and churchyards, recognising that these are places of worship that balance care and conservation with mission, worship and wider community use.

"We are also saying farewell to our DAC Secretary, Sarah Baines, who will be leaving in mid-December to join the Dorset Council Conservation team. We thank Sarah for her commitment and stewardship of this team and wish her all the best in the new role; we look forward to working with Sarah in her new capacity across the East Dorset region."

Sarah says:

"Being the DAC Secretary has been challenging during a time of transition with the introduction of the Online Faculty System and lockdown, however, I have enjoyed my time at the Diocese and look forward to crossing paths with many of our Dorset parish members in the future."

Elizabeth adds:

"In October, we welcomed Catherine Gray, the DAC Secretary of Portsmouth, who will be working with our Church Buildings team on a fixed-term basis, to provide support and expertise to our parishes and the Diocesan Advisory Committee. We are delighted to work with a neighbouring diocese, sharing resource and learning, whilst we recruit for a new DAC Secretary."