Diocese of Chichester

MORE PICTURES OF THE EVENT HERE 

After 25 years of ministry, clergy, laity and friends from across the diocese came together to say goodbye to Bishop Richard as he moves into his new role as the Diocesan Bishop of Hereford.

During the service held at All Saints Eastbourne, Bishop Martin gave a dedication and blessing to Richard and his wife Deborah and presented them with a bouquet of flowers and a gift from the diocese.

The gospel readings were read by Archdeacon of Chichester Luke Irvin Capel and Archdeacon of Hastings Edward Dowler. Archdeacon of Brighton and Lewes and his wife Jacqui read out the intercessions.

A sumptuous cream tea followed where Mothers’ Union Chichester President, Kathryn Anderson, presented Bishop Richard and Deborah with a gift for all their unstinting support of Mothers’ Union work.

Along with Bishop Martin we all wish Richard and Deborah the very best of health and all God’s blessings as they settle into their new home and ministry.

History

Richard Jackson was ordained in 1995 and served his curacy in Lindfield.His first post was Vicar of Rudgwick, from 1998 until 2009 when he was appointed as the Diocese of Chichester's Advisor for Mission and Renewal. He served for 5 years before being consecrated a Bishop of Lewes in 2014.

Bishop Richard will be remembered across the diocese for many things. Known as the biking bishop, he often undertook prayer pilgrimages on his Harley motorbike, helping folk pray for the life of the diocese, visiting parishes week by week, being encouraged and encouraging folk in their day by day discipleship through teaching and preaching.

His leadership approach was fundamental in helping parishes think strategically and realistically, both as Missioner and in leading the strategy work for 2015-2020 and 2020-25. Enabling parishes and leaving them with more with a ‘yes we can’ attitude rather than a despair of needing to change anything.

His work with partners outside the church has also helped raise the profile of several projects helping those on the margins in our society as well as establishing initiatives that will have a lasting legacy such as Clewer on modern slavery and establishing Brighton Citizens.

Bishop Richard’s encouragement and good practice in preaching can also be seen in his work with Readers and more recently pushing the Occasional Permission to Preach scheme.

The diocese is also grateful for the work that he has done building and strengthening links with our overseas partners through the Diocesan Overseas Committee as well as ecumenical projects such as leading the Thy Kingdom Come events for the past three years.

The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, said: “In his time as Bishop of Lewes, Richard and Deborah have exercised an exceptionally generous ministry of hospitality – an outward expression of their pastoral and spiritual care for those with whom they share the Christian life. At the same time Richard has been imaginatively and generously engaged in turning our attention to the evangelistic and missional aspects of our vocation as a household of faith. He has encouraged this engagement across the whole spectrum of the diocese and done so with kindness, humour and flair”.

We asked several people across the diocese for their own reflections of working with or alongside bishop Richard.

Gabrielle Higgins, Diocesan Secretary said: Bishop Richard has displayed calm presence throughout his ministry as a suffragan bishop in this Diocese, a gift that is appreciated by all. We are so very grateful for all that he and Deborah has given to enrich the household of faith over the past 25 years.

Rev Rob Dillingham, Deputy Director for Apostolic Life said: “Bishop Richard has added so much to Chichester Diocese. He has championed a whole series of diocesan wide initiatives.

“Along with Deborah, they have opened their home annually to clergy and their spirit of care, friendship and generosity has been appreciated by all. We will miss him but are so pleased for Hereford who have gained a great Bishop.”

Canon Ann Waizeneker, St Mary De Haura Shoreham, said Bishop Richard will be remembered in the diocese for many things but his most important contribution to this diocese has been that of bridge builder.

“He has a great gift for putting people at their ease.He has contributed greatly to holding together differing traditions and thinking, helping us to live side by side, and steering us to focus on our commission to proclaim the gospel to those around us.

“We have much to be thankful for in his leadership and he leaves a strong legacy for us to build on.”

Dan Jenkins, Diocesan Youth Officer, reflects on Bishop Richard’s determination to keep mission to children and young people on the agenda. He said: “Bishop Richard has been a great advocate for children and young people in our diocese. Helping to keep mission to children and young people on the agenda.”

Archdeacon of Brighton and Lewes, Martin Lloyd Williams said: “Richard and Deborah have exemplified the welcome of Jesus Christ and in so doing have brought hope and renewal to churches and communities across East Sussex. Their warmth and good humour have brought people together in a fresh way.”

The Archdeacon of Hastings, Edward Dowler spoke of an open, sharing bishop. A bishop that clearly loves the diocese. “He has deep knowledge and love of the parishes, people and the county, which he is able to share with others. This was of particular help when I was settling into my post here, as it has been ever since.”

Rev Martin Poole, St Luke’s Prestonville praised Bishop Richard for his ‘wonderful pastoral presence, over the last five years, supporting all of the clergy in his patch, whatever their outlook and circumstance.’

“His pastoral compassion and commitment extended beyond clergy and church folk to wider society through his chairing of the Council for the Promotion of the Common Good and his support and enthusiasm for establishing Brighton and Hove Citizens as a branch of the national community organising collective.”

FormerMothers’ Union President, Chris Emson and current MU President, Kathryn Anderson said MU will miss Bishop Richard. He has always been supportive of Mothers’ Union, keen to listen and be part of initiatives