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Diana Collins the PBS’ CEO addressed the Society’s AGM at St James’ Garlickhythe, London at the end of August.
She has been in post just six months and used the presentation to report on progress and the opportunities which lie ahead, as she and the Trustees look to deliver the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.
The PBS today is “a respected national charity with Royal Patronage, valued publications, the Cranmer Awards, a network of branches and also strong connections with various churches and clergy including, in particular, the Chapels Royal,” she said. Strong finances give the Society security and freedom to invest in projects, as well as look at where to invest in the short-term.
The CEO highlighted talk of the Quiet Revival in the Church of England. “We heard Fergus Butler-Gallie talk so well on it at the Peter Toon Memorial Lecture at Pusey House in May,” said Diana. The PBS plans to commission a piece on the BCP and its standing in the church today, and how much revival it is seeing in itself. The surrounding conversation, “presents the PBS with a huge opportunity to bring both the Society and the BCP into the current conversation and to ensure that we are part of this revival … at the front and centre,” she told members.
In March the Trustees asked Diana to focus on two key areas. Building relationships with the board, the branches, the members and the theological colleges and ensuring that “the house was in order” in terms of policies and governance.
Diana detailed work she completed on “putting the house in order,’ which includes job descriptions, expanding staffing hours and ensuring governance and policies meet national standards.
Diana said she had travelled extensively to meet branches and members across the country; Fourteen so far. The remainder she plans to visit across the rest of the year.
Events in 2027 are already being planned. These include an expansion of the Cranmer Awards to include poetry and increased the number of regional heats to 16.
There are also plans for collaborations with potential partners such as Cathedral Music Trust, RSCM, Hymns Ancient and Modern and regular podcasts including the daily offices of Morning and Evening prayer in the language of Cranmer.
She concluded by telling members that in October the Board will review, if necessary, revise and implement the Strategic Plan. The aim is, “To ensure that the Prayer Book Society is recognised as the national hub of liturgical and theological excellence centred on the Book of Common Prayer positively shaping formation and parish practice across the UK and, where helpful, the wider Anglican Community.”
