The Diocese is thrilled to welcome our new community of 28 interns and Mission Apprentices as part of its 2023-24 Diocesan Internship programme.
Our Diocesan interns give a year of their lives - or two if they are a Mission Apprentice – to deepen their roots of faith, grow in discipleship and maturity as followers of Christ, and develop an area of the church's mission to show love to their neighbours in the churches and communities where they serve.
The 18 placement churches sit across three of the Episcopal areas, from Kairos Church in Harrogate through to St John’s Great Horton in Bradford, Keighley Parish Church to Leeds Minster.
The Diocesan Internship programme looks to equip them for life, work and leadership through training on the ground in their placement churches, but also through bringing them together once a week for a day of teaching in a learning community that covers theology, discipleship, spiritual gifts but also builds practical and leadership skills.
The very first gathering was on Monday, September 11, where they considered their hopes and dreams, the expectations that come with the programme, and spent time worshipping, praying and getting to know one another.
The Ven Andy Jolley, Archdeacon of Bradford, said: “It's great to see this wonderful and diverse group of people get started on the next stage of their adventure with God.
“Let's be praying for them for this to be a fruitful time in their lives and in the churches and communities where they are serving.”
The Revd Jude Smith, Director of Church Revitalisation added: “I’m really grateful to be around our latest cohort of diocesan mission apprentices and interns.
“Every one of them has chosen to give of themselves in the next year or two.
“It seems to me that whenever people make that choice they grow; yes in skills and experience but also in depth and discipleship.
“I’m also really grateful for churches who take the risk of bringing an addition trainee into their midst- taking the time to work with them through all the ups and downs- before sending many of them off to bless the wider church in other ways.”
Find out more about diocesan interns programme here.