Following much consultation and discussion, the first full meeting of the Pastoral Support Team took place in January 2007.

The Team will concentrate their efforts on specific areas of pastoral life in the parishes, deaneries and across the diocese.

Supporting parishes involved in linking has been clearly identified as a major priority.

We will offer practical assistance, derived from the feedback of those who have experienced linking themselves, to parishes going through the process of change, and we will help them to seize the opportunities for growth.

The Team will also explore ways of providing support and assistance to the clergy, and will seek to respond to requests for specific expertise.

Assistance to parishes in developing their Parish Vision through planning and discussion will be offered, alongside the support offered to Parish Pastoral Councils.

The Pastoral Support Team will also be working to improve and develop existing communication in the diocese, and will be looking at improving and progressing existing effective initiatives as well as developing new ones.