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Bidding Farewell to The Revd Canon David Dadswell: A Legacy of Service as Diocesan Secretary

Farewell to The Revd Canon David Dadswell

After six and a half years of dedicated service as Diocesan Secretary in the Diocese of Lincoln, The Revd Canon David Dadswell has decided to retire. His final day will be Tuesday 31 December 2024.

David was ordained in 1983 and served his curacy in Liverpool. His diverse career has spanned both ecclesiastical and secular roles, including serving as a Chaplain at Brunel University and working for many years as an International Management Consultant.

This unique blend of church-based experience and expertise in complex organizational behavior set the stage for his impactful tenure as Diocesan Secretary.

From the outset, David was committed to fostering unity among the staff at Edward King House and raising awareness of the important work being done across its departments.

He aimed to create an environment where people felt comfortable and purposeful, which positively transformed parish perceptions of the office.

Reflecting on his time in the Diocese, David cherishes the memories of engaging with local churches and their communities:

“The commitment to, and quality of, church life in parishes across the Diocese has filled me with great hope. What I have seen and heard, all the people I have met and all the thoughtful acts of service I have witnessed will stick with me for the rest of my days.”

Significant contributions

One of David’s lasting legacies is his involvement in the “Time To Change Together” initiative, which has been instrumental over the past five years in creating sustainable ways for churches across Greater Lincolnshire to serve their communities, worship God, and proclaim the gospel.

From Covenant Pledges to Church Types and Focal Ministry, David played a crucial role in facilitating these essential changes.

“I worked with the Bishops to sow the seeds of honest discussion and address the considerable challenges of equipping mission and ministry in Greater Lincolnshire.”

In addition to this initiative, David strengthened the Diocese’s foundations by supporting Strategic Development Funding and advancing diocesan policies and systems.

He streamlined staff structures and emphasized the importance of human resources as a backbone of these policies.

“The commitment of volunteers across the Diocese is examplary – and that includes my interactions with Bishop’s Council, and a variety of committees and trustees.”

David also witnessed significant positive changes at Diocesan Synod, noting a more respectful atmosphere, increased member involvement, and thoughtful discussions.

A life of service

Throughout his tenure, David has tirelessly pursued opportunities to serve.

He has been a Canon of Lincoln Cathedral, officiating at various services, and has taken services at many different churches in the Diocese as a non-stipendiary priest, which he has thoroughly enjoyed.

The Friday Letters

Nearly 200 ‘Friday Letters’ have been written by David and sent out to all staff at Edward King House via Email since March 2020. They were well-received throughout the Covid years, which was a time of great uncertainty. The letters helped to inform staff about the latest updates from across the departments and make people aware of major news from across the Diocese.

They were so popular that they continued until the final letter was issued on Friday 20 December 2024 – just in time for Christmas (which means the added bonus of a cringe-worthy festive joke or two!).

Onto warmer climes

David will be retiring to the south of England where it is a little bit warmer than in Lincoln. He is also looking forward to more time spent in the south of France, which offers slightly more opportunity to enjoy some visible sunshine.

Thank you David

We wish David all the best in his retirement and thank him for his remarkable service and contributions to the Diocese of Lincoln.

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