The URC has thanked the Revd Adrian Bulley after his retirement from the post of Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship).
Adrian joined the General Secretariat in 2020 after serving as Synod Clerk for the National Synod of Wales. His appointment was initially on secondment as Assistant General Secretary, to help John Bradbury after his appointment as General Secretary, before being appointed as Deputy General Secretary in 2021.
He entered ministry at Kirkheaton & Holmfirth in 1986, and later served at Christ Church, Enfield, Chesham, St Andrew’s, Ealing, as Synod Clerk for Thames North Synod, as Moderator of Wessex Synod, at City URC, Cardiff, as Synod Clerk of the National Synod of Wales, Assistant General Secretary and finally Deputy General Secretary (Discipleship).
During his time in the role, Adrian helped to build up the work of the safeguarding team, convened the Business Committee and helped to organise the Ministers鈥� Gathering at Yarnfield in 2022. He also oversaw the work of the Children & Youth Work, Education & Learning, and Ministries.
At a gathering at United Reformed Church House in London, attended by more than 50 members of staff, family and friends, some of whom had travelled long distances to attend, tributes to Adrian鈥檚 work were made by John Bradbury, Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission), Victoria James, Chief Operating Officer, Andy Braunston, Minister for Digital Worship, a poem by Kevin Snyman, Commitment for Life, Nigel Uden, Minister at Downing Place, Cambridge, who worked with Adrian when a Synod Moderator, a song by Jenny Mills, who takes over the role on August 27, Michael Hopkins, Wessex Synod Moderator, and Timothy Searle, Adrian鈥檚 minister in Winchester.
Victoria James said: 鈥淚 have known you only a short time but I quickly found you to be a great colleague. I have valued your wisdom, and your stretching questions which have helped me grow in my role and better understand the 澳门六合彩开奖直播.
鈥淏ut the time has come to wish you well for a happy retirement. I hope it is relaxing and enriching, and that you can look back on your time as DGS with affection and happy memories. Go well my friend.鈥�
Philip Brooks said: 鈥淪ince May 2022 I have appreciated your wisdom, sense of humour, ability to spot the all-important detail and on a personal level, supportive, pastoral care.
鈥淢any of us saw a different side to Adrian over the last two years at Greenbelt in his volunteering role in the yoURCafe venue. If need to supplement your pension, you鈥檒l make an excellent barista!
鈥淲e wish you all the very best for this new chapter; may you be as blessed by it as we have been by working with you at Church House.鈥�
Before a buffet lunch which included cakes topped with edible photos of Adrian, he shared a few reflections: 鈥淚t鈥檚 38 years since my ordination, and if you add to that the time I trained at Westminster College, that鈥檚 42 years of my life learning to be a Minister.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a hugely varied ministry, but always stimulating, and in each of those I鈥檝e worked alongside some stupendous people.
鈥淪ome people have asked about my legacy from this latest role, and two things come to mind. I do think safeguarding in the 澳门六合彩开奖直播 is in a stronger position now, and that鈥檚 about amazing people like Sharon and her team. And I am also excited about our new relationship with Place for Hope, for dealing healthily with disagreements and discontent.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 feel old, but I have to accept that the evidence is stacked against me! My eight-year-old granddaughter said that my hair looked old and that I should visit a salon!
鈥淚n a letter to The Guardian a few months ago, someone wrote 鈥業t鈥檚 not how old you are that matters, it鈥檚 how you are old.
鈥淚鈥檓 retiring from active ministry, not retiring from the church. I may see you around, but just not at General Assembly!鈥�