A message from the Diocese of Guildford:

As we begin the process of discerning who God may be calling to be our next Bishop of Guildford, we warmly invite you to share your views as part of an important diocesan consultation.

You can share your views here: Vacancy in See - Diocesan Consultation. Please note that this survey will close at 8am on 20 July.

The Vacancy in See Committee has been formed to guide this process. Its role is to listen carefully to the voices of those who live, worship, and serve across the Diocese, and to help us determine and articulate the attributes needed in our next Bishop. At the heart of this consultation is a simple but vital aim: to hear from as many people as possible about the life, hopes and future of the Diocese of Guildford.

We are consulting widely across the Diocese: clergy and laity, young and old, regular and occasional churchgoers, and those serving in our military, school, prison and hospital chaplaincies. Every perspective matters, and we are keen to ensure that the breadth and richness of our diocesan life is clearly reflected for potential candidates to see.

Please do take part in this consultation and encourage participation by sharing the consultation link in your weekly notices and communications, so that as many people as possible within your congregation and community can take part.

Our church schools will also be contributing, with their own consultation beginning from 6 July. Materials for children in church settings will be made available at the same time, helping younger voices to be included in this important conversation.

As we look ahead, we do so in the context of our diocesan vision of Transforming Church, Transforming Lives. This consultation is an opportunity to build on that vision, celebrating what God is already doing among us and prayerfully considering what kind of leadership we need for the future.

With gratitude to God for Bishop Andrew’s leadership in shaping a transformational vision for our Diocese, we invite you to consider your response to this consultation prayerfully. Through your contribution, you will help shape the next chapter of the Diocese of Guildford. 

With every blessing, 

The Vacancy in See Committee

The Diocese of Guildford, Church of England