Friends of the Diocese Autumn Newsletter
From the Chair of the Friends
Autumn 2026
Dear Friends
It was a great pleasure to see a good number of you at last week’s annual Service and reunion of the Friends at Southwark Cathedral. It was a particular privilege to have the opportunity to speak with many of you, to hear from our two Bishops who very generously gave of their time to be with us, and to meet staff from diocesan office. I am also well aware that many of you would have loved to join us at the event but were unable to undertake the journey to London. For those who were not able to be with us, I encourage you to take a look at the latest post about the Friends on the Diocesan website:
As always, the staff at Southwark Cathedral made us very welcome and we are grateful to them for letting us use the service of Evensong as an occasion to celebrate the Diocese and give thanks for the work of the Friends, as well as making available a meeting room for our reception after the service.
At that reception, Bishop Robert spoke warmly of the support provided by the Friends to the Diocese and gave a very positive assessment of ministry across the Diocese. He also referred to the creation of two awards which he announced recently as a way of celebrating and recognising the work undertaken by so many lay people across the Diocese. Further details of these awards can be found on the Diocesan website:
I know that Bishop Robert is very grateful for all that the Friends do to support the Diocese through prayer and financial assistance. He also sees the Friends as a vital network for those who want to keep in touch with the Diocese and as a way of helping connect the Diocese with its roots and history.
In my last newsletter I wrote about the importance of expanding membership of the Friends and of our intention to reach out to chaplaincies. Bishop Robert very much supports this initiative. As part of this process we have prepared a one-page flyer on the Friends which we are sending out to all chaplaincies across the Diocese. A copy of the flyer is accessible to download here: Friends of the Diocese Information Leaflet
I am grateful to Bishop Robert for his support, not least by providing a quote commending the work of the Friends which we have included in the flyer.
On a separate issue, some of you may already be aware that as part of the process of developing a diocesan strategy, the diocesan office is actively inviting input from anyone who might wish to contribute to that process. Details of the process, including a link on how to take part, can be found via the following link:
Last week’s annual reunion was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything we offer as members of the Friends. It was encouraging to hear just how much the work of the Friends is recognised and appreciated. Thank you again for your commitment, your prayers and your generous financial support.
Guy MILTON
Chair of the Friends
You can upload this newsletter here: Friends of the Diocese Autumn 2026 newsletter
For more information about the Friends: Friends of the Diocese
