Diocese of Chichester

Parish Development (pictured first)

Father Felix Smith has been appointed as the new Parish Development Officer, joining the Parish Development team from 1 September. Alongside this, he will continue in his role as Focal Ministry Officer for the Diocese one day a week.

Ordained for 13 years, Fr. Felix brings a breadth of experience from a rural multi-parish setting, through suburban congregations, an inner-city cathedral. He has been in the Diocese of Chichester for 9 years, as Vicar of five rural and suburban churches, which saw sustained growth and development under his leadership. He has served as Rural Dean of Worthing, and on Diocesan Synod. His most recent role was as Associate Director of the mission agency Leading your Church into Growth, where he led conferences for Dioceses around the Church of England and Church in Wales. As part of this role, he oversaw team recruitment and development, communications, and engagement with parishes and Dioceses. As part of LyCiG's "step up and scale up programme", he was part of developing new missional courses, materials and initiatives.

This is a new role to work with and support parishes across the Diocese to enable, develop and support their mission and ministry. Fr. Felix will be helping parishes to discern, implement and evaluate their vision and strategic direction through aspects such as Mission Action Plans, working on team dynamics, and collaborative working. Part of this will be helping parishes to identify, develop and implement initiatives which will enable culture change and support the Diocese's strategic aims. Alongside this role, Fr. Felix is studying for a PhD in Theology at Edinburgh University, exploring Focal Ministry and the development of the Fresh Expressions movement in the Church of England.

If your parish would be interested in seeking support with these areas of church life, please do get in contact with him: Felix.Smith@Chichester.Anglican.Org

Church Buildings (pictured second)

Sophie Dunn has been appointed Church Buildings Team Leader. In this role, she will act as Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) Secretary and lead the Church Buildings team, which provides guidance, advice and support to parishes and archdeacons on the care of church buildings, contents and churchyards.

Sophie joined the Church Buildings team in 2023 and over this time has held the roles of Church Building Support Officer, Church Buildings & Fundraising Adviser, and Senior Church Buildings Officer. Her experience has given her extensive knowledge of the support the team provides to parishes across the diocese.

Sophie said: “It gives me great joy to accept the role of Church Buildings Team Leader for the Diocese of Chichester. Over my past three years working as part of the team, I have had the great honour of working with many PCC teams as they plan repairs and refurbishment projects, and have been inspired by the high levels of commitment and devotion to our buildings that is so apparent in every corner of the Diocese.

I’m looking forward to getting to know more clergy, PCC members and volunteers, and I’m always pleased to have a chat about church buildings, churchyards, fixtures and fittings, or anything else that you’d like support with!

The Church Buildings team supports parishes in caring for and developing their church buildings, provides administrative and casework support to the Diocesan Advisory Committee, and offers advice on fundraising for church building projects. The team is part of the Property Department and works closely with the Governance team, the Archdeacons, and the Diocesan Registry. Get in touch with Sophie by email at: sophie.dunn@chichester.anglican.org

Safeguarding (pictured third)

We are pleased to welcome Tami Chalmers to the role of Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser in the Safeguarding Team from 20 July 2026

Tami recently retired from Sussex Police after a 27-year career as a Detective Constable. For 19 years, she specialised in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and is looking forward to supporting the Diocese of Chichester in protecting and caring for children and vulnerable adults, while helping to ensure that safeguarding practice remainsvictim-focused.

Tami said: “I am delighted to be joining the safeguarding team and am particularly looking forward to meeting people from across the Diocese. I am committed to helping ensure that our churches remain safe, welcoming and trusted places where everyone can flourish.” .The first point of contact for the Safeguarding team is by emailing: safeguarding@chichester.anglican.org.