2012 is an important year for London in so many ways. Five years ago the Diocese of London set out its London Challenge.
Jeremiah 29 v 10 says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Over the past five years, it is amazing how much of what was planned has come to fruition. The Bishop of London outlined just a few examples in his Maundy Thursday address.
Now it is time to turn our attention forward, as 2012 will also be the year in which we begin to renew our vision for serving Jesus in this great city, distilling our thoughts into a Capital Vision in 2013.
The Bishop of London commissioned the diocese to address three key questions:
- What is the Spirit saying to us in the life of London?
- Where do we invest effort and resources at present?
- In what ways do we need to rethink and act differently?
In April, Area Deans met to discuss exactly these questions, as start of many prayerful discussions which will take place throughout the Diocese in meetings, in chapters, in PCCs, in training colleges to gain our collective wisdom as we seek to look forward.
The framework for these discussions asks the Diocese to “Be informed” and reflect on the London we live in and how it is changing, to “Be encouraged” by the many achievements over the last five years, to “Be challenged” by the three questions set by the Bishop of London, and finally to “Be involved” by praying for the diocese as we consider these questions, and by leading and participating in sessions discussing these questions in your parish, chapter or area.
To help reflect on these questions and to aid you in organising a meeting to discuss the questions many resources including reflective material, facts, prayers, sample agendas and feedback forms are available on www.capitalvision2020.com. For those who can’t attend a meeting in person there is also an online survey.
Do send your feedback on discussions to capitalvision2020 (Email: capitalvision2020 [at] london.anglican.org), and for any questions contact Debbie Clinton, Capital Vision Manager at debbie.clinton (Email: debbie.clinton [at] london.anglican.org).
Feedback will be distilled from October onwards into a Capital Vision 2020 to be launched in 2013.
