Dear Colleagues,

Year of Discipleship - Thank you!

What an astounding year it has been!

It never ceases to amaze me how God's gift of grace shows itself again and again. Sharing in the 'Celebration of Discipleship' service with nearly 1,000 disciples in the cathedral on Sunday for the feast day of Christ the King was so significant for me and I hope for all who were there. Listening in on the archdeaconries as they shared stories of their church's experiences of growth through the year was humbling. Watching as we gathered to fill up the nave of the cathedral, waving our colours and worshipping with gusto led so beautifully by Graham Kendrick, was a truly marvellous occasion of thanks to God! You can view some photos from the service at: www.canterburydiocese.org/247liveit/christtheking

Of course it was a culmination of so much seen and unseen faithfulness to God in every walk of the diocese. Thank you, to those who came on Sunday. Thank you, for discerning together the intentions of developing disciples within your communities. Thank you for your on-going determination to serve God in your local communities. As the Year of Discipleship has showed us, we have so much to celebrate, and so much to learn from Christ, our risen King.

On Sunday evening the parish intention cards offered confidentially in worship, came about from prayer, discussion and discernment within your church community. Thank you for these expressions of forward looking faith. It would be helpful, however, for me and for the team who helped shape the resources and activities for the Year of Discipleship, to hear your reflections on the following themes:

1. What have you learned about the ways you encourage discipleship this year?
2. What has the year of discipleship helped you to do as a church community?
3. If you were present at the 'Celebrating Discipleship' service on Sunday, what were the most vivid memories you or your congregation took with you?

This year has been important to me in getting to know the diocese at a much deeper level and I look forward to speaking with you, in due course, about how you are developing discipleship in your areas of ministry. I value those conversations which help us all to grasp afresh, the hope to which God has called us in Christ.

As we move into the penitential season of Advent, with its message that seeks to strip us of all but that which is necessary, may God's grace grow deeply within all.

With every blessing,

+ Trevor

P.S. I shall be in touch next week with information about the Diocesan Lent course, which will focus on our on-going discipleship within the areas of 'welcome' and 'hospitality'.

This email has been sent to parish clergy. Please share with your church colleagues.