Farewell to Richard
Richard Tarran has retired after fourteen years as our Diocesan Secretary. But he wasn’t allowed to go without first answering some questions!
What is the job of Diocesan Secretary?
Everything and anything! That’s the best part of it. A large part centres on finance, ensuring that the diocese has adequate money to do what it’s supposed to do – transfer funds to Cardiff (the RB) to pay clergy each quarter, cover the overheads of running the diocesan office, pay grants to the various bodies we support and ensure that parishes pay their Parish Share so that all this happens. I have to say that I’m amazed at parishes doing as well as they do in difficult times. Also, I am responsible for much of the day-to-day administration of the diocese. Well someone has to do it!
A Tribute to Richard from
Bishop Dominic:
People are often amazed that we have such a small number of administrative staff and I tell them that what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality! The diocese has been richly blessed by the years of service that Richard has given to us. He has given and sought sound advice, served our various committees with efficiency and humour and ensured that the diocese has been well managed.
It is worth remembering that 'ministry' and 'administration' have the same root, and Richard has always been conscious that as a lay christian he has a ministry to serve the church and to build God's Kingdom. Richard has been a valued member of my staff team and managed to combine the diocesan secretary's role of dealing with facts, figures and projections with his commitment to mission, taking risks and having vision and hope for the future.
I have greatly enjoyed working with Richard and he will be greatly missed.
I thank Richard for his ministry in administration and wish him and Judy a long, happy and healthy retirement in Yorkshire.
+Dominic
What memories will you take with you?
So many. Initially, working with Rowan Williams and learning so much from him spiritually. Working with a variety of clergy and laity, many of whom I have got to know, respect and admire. Most importantly, enjoying the work. I have said before that in my last job as a banker I really didn’t enjoy going to work at all latterly. In stark contrast, I have relished coming to work every day during the past fourteen and a half years.
What changes have you seen?
Partly people, and that is inevitable. Bishop Dominic’s episcopy has been uplifting and encouraging, and brought about significant and welcome changes in leadership styles which have become more inclusive.
The huge influx of legislative changes has been less welcome. Health and Safety, Hygiene, Human Resources, Freedom of Information, the list seems endless and keeping on top of the law is far from easy. I do sympathise with PCCs and our clergy who find this as tedious as I do.
How do you see the future?
Challenging and uncertain. The church is under threat from secularism and people not engaging with Anglican spirituality. Our buildings, our structures, our language and our culture will be seen by many as being exclusive. If the Church in Wales is to advance and restore a Christian faith to our nation, it will need to rewrite an awful lot of what we do and the way we do it. We will need to ask ourselves whether our diocesan and parish structures are still ‘fit for purpose’.
How has your faith informed your work — and was there any conflict between faith and duty?
I would like to think that the two are intertwined. I left a very aggressive organisation for a role in which pastoral needs were a high priority, where people were valued as individuals. Long may this continue. My regular worship, latterly as part of the congregation at St Mary’s in Abergavenny, has been at the heart of my work and ministry in the diocese.
What advice have you to offer to Stella?
That would be presumptuous as Stella comes with a wealth of experience and will carry the torch to the very best of her ability. I wish her well and know she is God’s chosen person to be the new Diocesan Secretary.
What are you looking forward to in retirement?
Can’t wait now! In part to return to Yorkshire—“God’s own country” as we Yorkshiremen believe. Largely to be reunited with Judy as we have had to be apart for some months, and in part to take up new challenges of learning to play the piano and learning to paint.
Any other reflections?
Such gratitude to so many for their friendship and support. My time in Monmouth has been the best part of my forty eight year working life by far and one I will look back on more fondly than can be imagined.