Stewards of the Gospel is the name under which Bishop Alan launched the process of consultation within the Diocese of Brentwood in 2016.

His aim was that we work together and openly with all the parishes in the process of renewal and restructuring of the diocese.

This was brought about by the need to 'respond to the needs of a quickly changing world'  and to make sure that all our parishes, schools and communities will be ready to face this challenge.

Over 200 Stewards of the Gospel - volunteers from each parish - were appointed by Bishop Alan in 2016 to represent their parishes for an initial period of 2 years.

They were recommissioned in 2018 for another two years. Due to COVID 19, this period has been extended indefinitely, until we are able to resume meetings and finalise the process.

The Stewards of the Gospel are the link between their parish and the diocese as agents of change and communication.

As such, they are both the representatives and the voice of their parishioners practical and pastoral needs, thoughts, ideas, plans, etc.

They also help their priests to communicate and implement diocesan change and renewal in their own parishes.

As a result, at the end of 2019, parishes were grouped into Parish Partnerships with the idea that they could work together to evangelise and to share programmes, events and resources where possible.

The main resource of every parish is their priest(s).

The parish partnerships thus provide an effective way for the priests to work as a team and to cover for each other, when necessary, ensuring that the sacraments are available to all parishioners at all time. 

PARISH PARTNERSHIPS

Our parish's three churches are now part of the DENGIE AND BLACKWATER PARISH PARTNERSHIP which comprises the following parishes and priests: