Diocese of Chichester

Thanks for making a difference

Forty lay people from across the diocese are to be recognised for their quiet, faithful service which strengthens church and community life.

The Order of St Richard, launched in 2019 by the bishop, is the Diocese of Chichester’s annual award recognising the volunteers whose Christian service has made an exceptional difference to their parish, community and the wider area.

Each year, people are nominated by their clergy and a supporting parishioner, then formally invested by the bishop during a service in Chichester Cathedral.

Since its inception, more than 220 people from over 150 parishes have received the award, each presented with a certificate signed by the bishop, a medal for special occasions and a lapel badge to wear day to day.

This year’s ceremony is on Saturday, September 26, when the latest cohort will join a growing community whose service is invaluable. They include:

Josh Stockwell, St Mary’s, Newick

Josh has served for many years at St Mary’s, supporting the church’s audio visual ministry and volunteering weekly with the local youth group. He has also taken a large group of young people to Maycamp, hosted Maycamp in 2024 and 2025 and this year helped produce a promotional video for the event. He said: “To be awarded the Order of St Richard is a huge privilege and something that came as a great surprise. I am hugely thankful to everyone who has supported me.”

Tamara and Daniel Jackson, St Luke’s Prestonville, Brighton

News of the award was “completely unexpected” for Tamara and Daniel, who have sought to serve their community since their early twenties “wherever that might be, in whatever way we could”. Their focus is hospitality, particularly to those often overlooked or excluded. At St Luke’s this includes supporting children, families and people experiencing homelessness. Tamara said: “That has now become just normal life. Recognition of that service has never been something we have sought but we were delighted to discover that those who know us and see what we do thought to put us forward for this award.”

Ryhlva Holder, St Mary the Virgin, Willingdon

Ryhlva believes Christian faith is made up of “many strands of serving Christ in the community” and sees her gift of embroidery, especially goldwork, as one way to serve through the restoration of church textiles. Beyond the church, she finds great joy in working with others to send shoeboxes via Link to Hope to support communities overseas. She said: “I was amazed when I received a letter informing me that I had been awarded the Order of St Richard. I immediately thought of all the people around me who do so much for our church and realised what a privilege and honour this was.”

The ceremony in the cathedral starts at 3pm. Those receiving the award will be supported by family, friends and members of their church.

Nomination forms are available on the diocesan website now for 2027 nominees.

One of last year’s recipients was Val Burgess, from Horsham St Mary’s, who was “absolutely stunned”. She said: “It’s something I never expected. You get a feeling of community, love and wellbeing just from helping other people. It’s lovely that people have been able to express what they feel about us, to recognise the ways in which we serve and to give us this honour. It’s God’s work, really. I see it as God’s work and I feel that’s what we’re doing in our lives.”