• Churchwork
• Bishop's Office
• Archdeacons Office
• The Diocesan Office
• Committees
• Hereford Deaneries
• Ludlow Deaneries
• Mission and Ministry Development
  • Local Mission and Ministry
  • Continuing Ministerial Development
  • Parish Development and MAPping
  • IMD 1-7 and Vocations
  • Diocesan Conference
• Ministry of Deliverance
• Readers
• Safeguarding Children and Adults
• 2015 Consultation
• Vacancies in the Diocese of Hereford
• Hereford Diocesan Counselling Service
• Women in the Episcopate New Proposals
• Factsheets
• Board for Church & Society
• Communications Report part 1
• Clergy Handbook
• Diocesan Clergy Handbook II

You are here » Home» Churchwork» Mission and Ministry Development» Diocesan Conference

Diocesan Conference 2012

Surfing the Rapids

Something that Bishop Jack Nicholls used at the end of his address to the conference

He offered the following, wondering if it might be something that all churches would seek to live up to. It comes from Phoenix House in Sheffield, a place for people struggling with addiction.

Phoenix House

We are here because there is no refuge finally from ourselves. Until we confront ourselves in the eyes and hearts of others, we are running. Until we suffer them to know our secrets, we can know no safety from them. Afraid to know ourselves we can know no others.

Where else but in our common ground can we find such a mirror. Here at last we can appear clearly to ourselves. Not as the giant of our dreams, nor the dwarf of our fears, but as people; part of the whole with a share in its purpose.

Here together we can take root and grow not alone as in death but alive in ourselves and in others.

Handout from Bishop Jack Nicholls' Workshop on Parish Missions