Graeme lives in Southport with his wife. They have three grown-up children and three grandchildren. Graeme has worked in the Church of England for 30 years before his retirement. Beginning in Liverpool Diocese as a Resources Officer, then moving to Blackburn Diocese in the same role, from there to Turo Diocese as assistant Diocesan Secretary finally returning to Blackburn Diocese as Diocesan Secretary leading the DBF staff team and supporting the Diocesan Bishop and their leadership Team.
We spoke to Graeme about him taking up the role of Interim Bishops Planning Officer:
“I have for the last 18 months, helped Liverpool Diocese in a couple of specific pieces of work culminating in being appointed as a part-time volunteer Assistant Bishops Planning Officer. Recently I have been asked to undertake the role of Interim Planning Officer for Bishop John, still as a part-time volunteer.
The role of the BPO team supports parishes, clergy, lay leaders and the diocesan structures in the Church of England’s legal process of Pastoral Schemes. These are the legal processes laid down by General Synod for making churches such as parish boundaries, changes of church/parish name, joining parishes together and many other aspects of change. As you will imagine with Fit for Mission, the diocese’s main mission initiative, there are potentially a lot of changes happening. The job is working closely with the Archdeacons, to make it as simple as possible and explain it to and support those people affected – lay and ordained.
It’s been a great privilege to have served the Church of England all these years and to continue to do so and all of the roles and work I have undertaken has been with one aim – to serve God and the local parish church in Mission.”
