This Volunteers Week, we want to end by saying a massive thank you to all Churchwardens across the diocese for all that they do to serve their churches.
Churchwardens serve their churches in many areas, with legal, spiritual, pastoral and missional responsibilities.
They are elected officers of the bishop, acting as leading lay people in the life and mission of the church in the parish.
Churchwardens work with clergy, PCCs and wider congregations on matters of prayer, vision, strategy, welcome, ministry, mission, governance, administration, buildings and more.
The Ven Andy Jolley, Archdeacon of Bradford, said: “I’m exceptionally grateful for the time, talents and energy brought by all those who serve as Churchwardens across the diocese.
“Our Churchwardens work in a huge number of fields as part of their role, and they do this capably and diligently.
“I’m looking forward to meeting many of the Churchwardens in the Bradford area at visitations this summer to personally express my appreciation for their hard work, and I’m sure the other archdeacons will do the same.
“Thank you again for all you do – it really is so appreciated.”
The diocesan website is full of resources to support Churchwardens in all that they do, with more on this available here.