Glorious weather greeted a group of visitors to Sarum College, Salisbury, as they heard how there are 12,000 retired clergy in the Church of England. A number of the men and women who support them and their families had gathered yesterday, October 3, to learn about latest relevant research, and to hear Debbie Thrower outline the benefits of Anna Chaplaincy as a model for spiritual and emotional support in one's later years.
The 15-20 participants had travelled from as far afield as Kent, Devon and Cornwall, the West Country, Oxfordshire and South London as well as from closer dioceses such as Winchester, Portsmouth and Bristol. They represented a wide arc of southern C of E dioceses. Some already knew of the growing networks of Anna Chaplains in their areas, for others it was the first time they had discovered this model of support for older people and for carers.
'My brief was to speak about the changing landscape of retirement and to explore what the pressing pastoral needs are of those post-retirement, as life expectancy rises generally' said Debbie Thrower.
'We talked about how difficult it is, particularly, for some clergy (and chaplains) when they retire having invested so much of their identity in their ministry role.
There's much synergy between the experience of Anna Chaplains and the church's Retirement Officers.'
Retirement Officer in Dorset, Canon John Wood, who organised the event at Sarum thanked Debbie and said news of Anna Chaplaincy was 'inspiring'.
Retired Bishop Colin Fletcher, who is both Chair of the Retired Clergy Association and of BRF Ministries (the home of Anna Chaplaincy) reminded participants how it is not so long ago 'there was no retirement' for clergymen because there were no clergy pensions. Most worked 'until they dropped in post' he said.
Nowadays those twelve thousand ordained men and women represent 'a vital workforce' for the church as they gain PTO, Permission To Officiate, post-retirement.
In the afternoon, Guildford Diocese's Retirement Officer, Julian Hubbard, the former Director of Ministry for the Archbishop's Council, explained his research this year into the roles of retirement officers; their job descriptions, line management, core responsibilities etc. An initial pilot survey of practice and arrangements for ministry to retired clergy across dioceses turned into a national survey commissioned by the council of the Retired Clergy Association, RCA. Revd Hubbard's full report is just being finalised and he hoped it would be published on the RCA website by the middle of this month.
Some Anna Chaplains are themselves retired ordained ministers from a variety of different denominations. In terms of the Church of England, it was interesting to note, said Debbie, that once self-supporting Anglican priests, chaplains and their spouses/partners are included in the total there are more than double that number - an estimated 25,000 people - who come into the scope of the 42 dioceses' retirement officers. Pastoral care for many clergy who provide such key support in parochial life is a significant issue. 'Parochial life would be seriously downgraded if retired clergy were not involved,' said Julian.
Further research, being conducted in Truro Diocese, Cornwall, as part of an initiative focusing on Clergy Wellbeing being undertaken by the diocese's Retirement Officer there. 'We look forward to the fruits of this in due course' added Debbie.
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