Absent line management
Our group of 14 parishes and 11 churches is very well looked after by our much-loved Rector Revd Mandy. She is well known throughout the benefice and the four primary schools and takes at least two communion services every Sunday plus additional services and baptisms. Most weeks there is a funeral and a growing number of church weddings which she takes very willingly and with great care.
The support we all get from the diocese has declined to such an extent that we feel that we would be much better off opting out (if only we could!) and paying for her cost of employment, pension plan and housing directly. There has been no area dean appointed for over a year now and no prospect of one as the Bishop cannot find anyone for the role. Our Archdeacon for Newark and Southwell appears to have priorities which mean that she has no time to spend on East Trent; we’ve never seen her visit the group since she was appointed over two years ago. Indeed, when Rev Mandy submitted a letter of intended resignation to the Archdeacon, no response or reply was received for several weeks. Sadly, our Rector has taken the decision to retire early next year when she is able to draw the state pension. Besides the Bishop and his suffragan there are two archdeacons and many misions at the diocesan HQ, Jubilee House in Southwell. The only people we get help from are the DAC secretary, the safeguarding team and accounts demanding the parish share.
