On Monday, 25 September 25, at a service at Church House, Bishop Sam licensed Revd Jenny Bridgman to a new role as Bishop’s Adviser for Curate Development and Clergy Transitions.
Jenny has been overseeing the curate programme for the past 2 years as Interim IME2 Officer – this new role makes that a permanent post, as well as strengthening the diocese’s support for clergy moving into a variety of new roles and phases of ministry.
Rev Simon Chesters, Director of Ministry, says, ”I’m delighted to see Jenny stepping into this new role. She has been a crucial part of the team in the Ministry Department, especially in recent months as we have been carrying a range of vacancies – and has already done great work in reframing our programme of training and support for curates. She has done remarkable work in her role as Director of Studies for Pastoral Workers over the last 4 years. Jenny will be much missed by the Pastoral Worker community – though she will still very much be involved with our work supporting our community of licensed lay ministers. This new role is an exciting development; and as well as continuing the great work she has done with the curate programme, will provide support for clergy as they move from curacy to incumbency and into new posts.
Jenny will also have responsibility for how welcome and support clergy moving into the diocese, and will work with colleagues on resourcing and refreshing in ministry, right through to retirement. It’s a privilege working with her.”
Jenny says, “I am thrilled to be taking on these new areas of responsibility, and am looking forward to working with licensed clergy across the diocese as together we resource and equip one another for the demands of ministry. It is a joy to walk alongside ministers, both licensed and ordained, through the various seasons of discipleship and ministry, and although I will miss working closely with Pastoral Worker students as in previous years, I am committed to the ongoing nurture of collaborative teams of ministers, both lay and ordained, as we live and work ‘together in Christ, sharing hope’”.