Diocese of Southwark

Who we are

Our Vision:

To Serve our Communities, Share our Faith, with great joy and gladness
Be the Church; a people with hearts on fire, loving God, walking with Jesus and led by the Spirit

The Purpose of the staff of the Diocese:

To serve, support, lead and enable the mission of God as it is worked out in the parishes, deaneries, schools and communities of the diocese of Southwark

The Diocese of Southwark is one of the 42 dioceses of the Church of England.  It is a large, complex diocese comprising most of Greater London south of the Thames, together with the eastern third of the county of Surrey.  It has around 300 parishes with nearly 400 churches, served by 500 clergy ministering to approximately 2,500,000 people.  It is one of the largest dioceses in terms of population and parishes and one of the most diverse.

The Bishop of Southwark is in overall charge of the Diocese, and works with the Bishop's staff, comprising the Area Bishops, other senior clergy and lay staff, to oversee the development of the overall mission strategy of the Diocese. The staff of the Diocese, are part of the charity that oversees the financing, administration and governance that enables the parishes to be supported, and the strategies for ministry and mission in the Diocese to be put in to practice.

The work of the staff in the Diocese covers a number of areas.

Property

The department is responsible for maintaining the 375 houses which make up the Diocese’s residential property Portfolio.  It looks after all Parsonages, and other houses in which office holders live.  Its aim is to maintain all incumbent’s properties to a good standard, and to support the Parsonage Replacement scheme. The department manages all aspects of property management, including rental of vacant properties when appropriate, the payment of council tax, water rates and other property costs.

Finance

Headed by the Finance Director, the Finance department is responsible for the management of all the Dioceses finances including; the management of all accounting processes, stipends/payroll, the collection of income through the Parish Support Fund, the management of Parish Trusts and Capital Investments via a sub group.

Office Services and IT

Led by the Director of Office Support Services this department is responsible for Information Technology, Stationery and Supplies, Reception, the Mail Room / Reprographics, Office Equipment, Room Bookings and Facilities Management.

A key role is in supporting the collection of data and use of that data in the work of the Diocese.

Pastoral/DAC

Led by the Deputy Diocesan Secretary, this department is in charge of the Mission and Pastoral Committee, Diocesan Advisory Committee and Synodical.

Communications and Resources

The Director of Communications and Resources heads this department which is responsible for the Press Officer, Communications, Stewardship/Resources, Diocesan Directory and Publicity, including our website and social media.

The Secretariat

Includes those staff working directly for the Diocesan Secretary, including the PA and Support Staff, Director of Human Resources, Head of Projects and Project Management, the Public Policy Department.

Area Offices

For most parochial matters, the Diocese operates as three areas:  Croydon, Kingston and Woolwich.  Croydon and Kingston have Episcopal Area Offices and the Woolwich Area is based in Trinity House.