Dear Church Family,
As lock down continues across many countries including the UK, we've all been faced with having to respond to new challenges in how we work and support each other. We're all learning and adapting, and we are sure that there will be positive things that we can take from this, not least a greater understanding and focus on our individual and collective well-being.
Like many other Organisations we also recognise that COVID 19 has meant that we have seen a rapid downturn in how we would ordinarily operate as an Organisation. Many tough decisions about the future of our Organisation and workforce will need to be realised in order to determine how best we position ourselves to weather the current and any potential future storms.
It's hard to understand all the options and details whilst finding the right balance between financial, statutory, as well as ethical considerations. The far reaching impact of COVID 19 has meant that we have had to reconsider what services and support we are able to continue during lock down, and how best to deliver this to the church membership and the wider community. As we worked through this level of detail it became apparent that a fundamental solution to managing this was to further engage and empower the congregations to work closely together and with their church boards. This will enable the churches to continue to deliver at both local and area level through the use of in-house technology. This will not negate the commitment of the North England Conference to provide online Sabbath programs and weekly devotionals.
Due to all of these variables, evidently, we do not have sufficient work within the Organisation to maintain current staffing levels. Consequently, we have had to logistically and strategically identify the required level of resource to support the Organisation during this time.
As you are aware, the North England Conference, operates mainly as a result of the goodwill and dedication of its members. The gifts members give by way of time, skills, talents and money is incalculable. We recognise that the global crisis has impacted every one of our members in a different way including financially. The financial impact has been immediately noted in terms of the quantum of the tithe that is being returned. This impact has touched the financial reserves of the North England Conference which has caused the Officers Committee to take steps to preserve the limited reserves that we now have. It is because of the incalculable unknowns and the status of the financial reserves that the Officers Committee took the decision to furlough up to 50% of our staff from across the NEC as part of the UK Job Retention Scheme, which was announced recently by the UK Government. The decision to furlough those selected is not because they are unimportant but rather because we want to ensure that we have an operating, functional church Organisation when the events of COVID-19 are finally behind us, and to avoid layoffs and/or making staff redundant at this time.
Please note that those furloughed will not be officially working as this is a criteria under the Government Job Retention Scheme. However, those furloughed are able to volunteer to support the Organisation in areas that would not ordinarily be within their job description. Already, we have received several requests to be a volunteer and for that we give God thanks. Where possible, the intention is to implement a rota system whereby as many of those furloughed rotate with those who are currently working. This approach is to meet the needs of the Organisation as and when required.
We can confirm that all ministerial Directorates and its services have now been placed on hold. Many of the Directors have been furloughed leaving a skeleton number of Directors to deliver the work identified as key during this time. At present the remaining Directors are Pastor Adam Ramdin, Pastor George Kumi, Pastor Mike Simpson, Pastor Patricia Douglas and the Director of Human Resources, Adriana Murray. This is subject to change as a result of the rota system.
As a result of the reduce resource across the pastoral team a temporary Pastoral leadership structure has been put in place with immediate effect. This will consist of several existing Areas Coordinators and newly selected Area Coordinators who have been asked to assume the role as temporary Area Coordinator in this season. There will still be a total of 7 Area Coordinators thus still maintaining 7 Area Leaders.
In addition, within this temporary structure two Pastors have been identified to be floaters. The focus of this role is to support across definitive areas within the NEC, South, East Midlands and North East.
The selected existing Area Coordinators and selected acting Area Coordinators continuing to work at this time are:
- Pastor Roman Smejkal Area 1
- Pastor Ebeneezer Daniel Area 2
- Pastor Sam Gardner Area 3
- Pastor Solon Kyriacou Area 4
- Pastor Obi Ihemoma Area 5
- Pastor Dan Majaducon Area 6
- Pastor Jonathan Holder Area 7
Those asked to be floaters are Pastors Eric Lawrence and Derek Simon.
Your pastor will be speaking to you to inform you as to whether or not they have been furloughed however should you have any queries relating to which other Pastors continue to work at this time please email admin@necadventist.org.uk. Please note that all bible workers have been furloughed.
You will note the considerable change across our Organisation in such a short period of time. Any rapid change inevitably means a different way of thinking and working for us all.
Whilst the seas of this crisis may at times feel turbulent locally, nationally and globally please hold onto this promise;
Matthew6:25-27 (NIV) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Please continue to pray for each other as we continue to pray for you.
May God Bless you all
Pastor Richard Jackson, Pastor Alan Hush, Elder Charles Bramble
North England Conference Offices Committee
