The former Archdeacon of Worcester, Robert Jones, is to become the new voluntary Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC).
The DAC is a statutory body of volunteer specialists who give their time freely to assist parishes in the care and development of their churches and churchyards, also overseeing the implementation of the Faculty Jurisdiction permission system.
Most works of repair, adaptation and improvements to churches are considered by the DAC and the committee also aides churches in fundraising and in the general management of churches. As Chair, Robert will lead the work of the committee alongside Director of Church Buildings and Net Zero, Mark Carter and his team in the diocesan office. He takes over from previous Chair, Gareth Doodes, who has recently moved out of the area.
During his time as Archdeacon of Worcester, Robert was part of the DAC and acted as the committee’s Interim Chair during a previous vacancy. He was appointed as Chair by Bishop Martin after consultation with Bishop’s Council, the Church Buildings Council and the Diocesan Chancellor.
Robert said: “I always enjoyed serving on the DAC when I was Archdeacon. The work of the DAC is all about bringing together the beauty of our church buildings with the beauty of the people who look after them and the beauty of the local community. Our churches are being used for all kinds of different things and ensuing they can continue to do that in the future is all part of the beauty of holiness.”
Mark Carter added: “I am delighted that Robert accepted the Bishop’s invitation to become Chair of the DAC and am looking forward to working with him again. I know how much he loves our churches and our people, which is just one of the reasons he will be an excellent Chair.”
