Dictionary

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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Ecumenical

The Christian Church is divided due to different interpretations of the faith and different religious practices. The ecumenical movement promotes dialogue and understanding between Christians and works for visible unity.

Liturgy

Liturgy is a set form of words and action used for worship. In the Church in Wales (and many other churches) these forms follow the same pattern from one congregation to another. Most Anglican liturgies look back in some way to the Book of Common Prayer.

Home Bishop of St Davids Bishop's Staff

Bishop's Staff

Revd Shirley Murphy - Bishop's Chaplain

Shirley works with the Bishop offering advice and support in her work in leading the Diocese. Working within a small team - the Bishop, her Personal Assistant and the Senior Staff of the Diocese - she ensures that there is effective and efficient communication among the Bishop’s Senior Staff, the Bishop’s and Diocesan offices, the Cathedral and beyond to ecumenical partners, to interfaith relationships and outside bodies.

Part of her role is to build on the network of contacts in relation to the civic, commercial, educational, and institutional life of the county. She is also a member of the team which supports and resources the Bishop’s ministry within the diocese and works particularly closely with Bishop’s PA and Communications Officer.

She produces liturgical material as required and accompanies and assists the Bishop at all solemn functions, with a view of making it easier for the Bishop to focus on the liturgy and the congregation without having to worry about practicalities and logistics.

Dawn Evans - Bishop's PA

Based in the Bishop’s Office, Dawn works closely with the Bishop on all aspects of her work, providing practical support, initiative and engagement in the many matters competing for attention.

She delivers operational services, including acting as a first point of contact, co-ordinating and supporting meetings, preparing briefings, processing correspondence and arranging logistics to ensure that the work of the Bishop is efficient, effective and responsive to changing requirements.

In addition to working closely with the Bishop and the Senior Leadership Team, Dawn works with a wide range of internal, external, and international colleagues and stakeholders.