On Tuesday, at St Luke's Te Kuiti, members of the Mission and Ministry Resourcing Subcommittee joined the Bishops in paying tribute to Mrs Barbara Jolly for her lifetime of dedicated service to God's mission in our Diocese.  While Barbara will continue in her role supporting ministry in Orakau, she is stepping down from her role as Honorary Lay Registrar.  Barbara was joined by her husband Dick and their daughter Megan.  During a special lunch, there were several tributes paid to Barbara, and she was presented with a letter of recognition by the Bishops, the text of which read as follows:

On behalf of the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, we write to convey our profound and grateful appreciation for your many years of active service in this Diocese. In particular we wish to express our considerable thanks for your role as Honorary Lay Registrar.  
 
In order to do that however, we must recognise and honour you for your extraordinary dedication to the Parish of Christ Church, Orakau. Your many years of devoted service to that community has been the foundation of your ministry in this Diocese. It is your life as a Lay Minister that has shaped your contribution to our statutes, structures and strategies. Your experience and contribution continues to benefit generations of lay people.
 
Thank you for your vision and energy. Thank you for your considered analysis and review of lay ministry over so many years. Thank you for your careful administration and management of the licensing process. You have left an indelible mark on the face of lay ministry in this Diocese.
 
You have responded to Christ’s call on your life and we celebrate your vocation.
 
Thanks be to God.

There will be further tributes paid to Barbara at our Diocesan Synod next month, and Bishop Helen-Ann announced to the gathering that Barbara will be the first recipient of the new Bishops' Certificate in Living Faith which will be awarded next year as the new LiFT (Living Faith Today) course takes flight!