Bishop Andrew’s seeking expressions of interest from people who wish to be considered for membership of the Diocesan Board of Social Responsibility, which is being reconstituted.
The board seeks to encourage and inform the Diocese’s engagement with local communities and wider society as we seek to share the love of God in Jesus Christ. This will be achieved through the dissemination of best practice, the delivery of workshops and training events, and the generation of public statements and reports.
Who is it for?
Up to ten individuals from the Diocese – clergy or lay – may be appointed. Those with experience and expertise in the following areas are particularly sought:
- Community development
- Environmental issues
- Healthcare
- Rural issues
- Political engagement
What is the process?
Please email expressions of interest to the Interim Chair, the Revd Adrian Dorrian (letterkennyrector@gmail.com). Expressions of interest should be up to 250 words and should outline the reason for your interest and any relevant experience you have. You may be contacted for an informal conversation. The Interim Chair, in consultation with the Bishop, will bring names to the Diocesan Council for ratification. It is hoped that the new board will meet for the first time in the Autumn of 2026.
APPENDIX I
Terms of Reference
The Derry and Raphoe Board for Social Responsibility seeks to support the Bishop and the Diocesan Synod in engaging with and responding to issues of social relevance, in theology and practice.
The Board will resource, encourage and inform the Diocese’s engagement with local communities and wider society as we seek to share the love of God in Jesus Christ.
This will be achieved through
- dissemination of good practice across the diocese
- workshops and training events
- public statements (in consultation with the Bishop) responding to particular events
- the generation of reports and informational documents
The membership of the Board shall be ratified by the Diocesan Council at the start of each Triennium.
• The Chair shall be appointed by the Bishop.
• Membership of the Board need not be limited to members of theDiocesan Synod or Council.
• Ordinary membership of the Board will not normally exceed eleven persons, including the chair.
• The Bishop and Honorary Secretaries to the Diocesan Synod shall be ex-officio members of the Board, who shall not be counted among the total of ordinary members.
APPENDIX II
AREAS OF ACTIVITY FOR BSR
Possible areas of work for the new board in its first year may come from the following list.
Poverty/Cost of Living
- Foodbanks
- Gambling
- Homelessness
Health Matters
- Organ donation
- Addiction
- Dementia
Legacy/Border
- Day of the Disappeared
- Victims’ Groups
Disability
- Accessibility
- Support for carers
Racial Justice/Welcome
Family Life
- Adoption/fostering
- Domestic Violence
Rural Issues
- Farming Challenges
- Isolation
- MICA
Environmental Stewardship
- Care for creation
- Practical steps for Parishes
Mental Health
- Suicide awareness
- Self-care
- Social Media