New Convenor for Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney

Liz Hoffbauer from the Society of Friends (Quakers) takes on the role of NWCT Convenor from Rev Canon Dr Julian Pursehouse (Methodist)

Liz Hoffbauer has recently been confirmed as the next Convenor of Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney (NWCT).  The role of Convenor rotates between the senior Church leaders every two years.  She takes over from Rev Canon Dr Julian Pursehouse who, after a number of years of ecumenical service to the county and as Chair of the Methodist District of East Anglia, has moved on to pastures new in West Yorkshire. 
 
Liz is a Quaker and lives in Norwich.  She has represented the Society of Friends on NWCT, both as a Church leader and the Quaker Denominational Ecumenical Officer (DEO) for several years.  Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer (CEO) for Norfolk and Waveney, took the opportunity to congratulate and welcome Liz to her new role and ask about her hopes for the future.

Ian: Liz, many congratulations on becoming the Convenor of NWCT, before we get into how you feel about the appointment and your hopes for the future, can you say a little about yourself and background?

Liz: I come from Stoke-on-Trent originally and attended the Orme Girls’ School in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It was an excellent school for Modern Languages and I went on to study German and French at Durham University. I learnt a lot about Quakerism from my professor, who was a member of Durham Meeting. I first settled in Norwich in 1974. You can probably imagine that it was a thrilling change to come here, after life in a heavy industrial city. I had grown up in the Anglican Church but had always been interested in the Quakers. Norwich Meeting was a very good introduction to the Society of Friends, and I also attended King’s Lynn Meeting when my husband and I were running a B&B in Old Hunstanton.

Ian: So why did you become interested in Ecumenism and what attracted you to undertake the role of Quaker DEO, and now the even bigger challenge of being the Convenor of NWCT?

Liz: Quakers have no hierarchy and historically have always managed all their own affairs by taking turns at different roles. Over the last few years, this has had to change because of new legislation about employment, safeguarding, Trusteeship and other issues. However, although professional help is needed, the responsibilities still lie on the shoulders of ‘amateurs’.

I was approached about joining the Churches Together DEOs group, as it was time for somebody else to take over. I’ve always been very interested in theology and ecumenism and have read extensively on the subject over the years. I accepted, but needed to make sure whether it was a Local Meeting or an Area Meeting role, so I phoned the Quaker Ecumenical Officer to discuss the matter.   Fortuitously, he then invited me to take on our representation on NWCT’s senior Church Leaders Group as his turn was coming to an end - it was clearly meant to be!

Although I didn’t go looking for this role, I love the job. One of the highlights was the CTE Forum in Derbyshire in 2022. I came home buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm, after the presentations on Social, Racial, Generational and Ecological Justice; all the conversations with other people over breakfast, lunch and dinner; and the reflections voiced during our Evening Prayer sessions. Another highlight was the pilgrimage from Great Yarmouth to King’s Lynn just before COP26, which had started as a Quaker venture, but was greatly enhanced by help from Bishop Graham, Bishop Jane and the Church of England, which turned it into a much greater event.

In 2026, I shall be laying the role of Convenor down again, as I shall have served six years as a Church Leader, and another Quaker will be joining the group in my place. I am both honoured and excited to be working as the Convenor, as we have a very interesting year ahead of us.

Ian: As the County Ecumenical Officer, I have found it so rewarding to be part of the ecumenical effort across Norfolk and Waveney.  Walking together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, building relationships and learning from the diverse Christian traditions across our beautiful county is a gift as well as a real joy.  However, and I do not know if you would agree, when working across traditional boundaries (especially when they are hard) there are also some frustrations that can at times make it feel like tough work even when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. You certainly need patience, resilience and a receptive openness but, that aside, what do you think works well in NWCT and what are the hopes for you and your fellow Church leaders over the next two years of your appointment, in other words what do you want to achieve?

Liz: Working with the DEO group and the Church Leaders started on Zoom for me, as we were all in lockdown. The discussions at that time dealt with the inability to open the doors of the churches, chapels and meeting houses. We also discussed the social work that was going on to help isolated and unhappy members of congregations. There was a wonderful amount of cooperation and mutual support going on. Even the Norwich Chain of Prayer, held every January as part of the week of prayer for Christian unity, had to move to the internet, but I am pleased to say it was still very successful.
 
I think that this cooperation has continued since then, as the economic climate has worsened so much in Norfolk since Covid. For example, I know that the Salvation Army has been doing some wonderful work to keep families safe and healthy. Other denominations have been looking after the homeless and refugees, very often in very creative ways.  The Roman Catholic Church in East Anglia has been educating its parishioners in how to spot modern-day slavery in car washes and nail bars.
 
The quotation from Matthew 26.40 frequently comes to my mind: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 
 
Ian: It is great that you and your fellow NWCT Church leaders have recently agreed to a new declaration of commitment for Christian unity, an annual ecumenical service of thanksgiving (to be held every year on the day of Christ the King), and a schedule of minimum collective commitments to be undertaken together every year (details included in the last ecumenical update). I think these represent a significant step forward and clearly demonstrate the strength of the relationship and trust which continues to grow between you all.  One event I am especially looking forward to is the planned 4-day pilgrimage to Rome next January.   How do you feel about these developments and how excited are you as a Quaker to be going on the pilgrimage?

Liz: Just as Quakers move on and change their roles, so do Church Leaders and DEOs. One reason for becoming Convenor is that I am one of the longest-serving members. I have been really inspired by those Leaders who have now moved on.  And I am very much inspired by the present ones who carry a much heavier burden than myself. I am looking forward very much to the pilgrimage to Rome, where I shall be able to get to know the rest of the group better and where I trust we shall be able to share our inspirations and hopes. I’m hoping to learn a great deal from our ecumenical activities too.  

Ian: Finally, how do people get in touch with you if they wish to raise an issue for the attention of the senior Church leaders of NWCT?

Liz: I would really welcome people contacting me.   The best way to get in touch is by emailing me at melizhoff@gmail.com.

Ian: Liz, many thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. On behalf of all our local Churches Together groups in Norfolk and Waveney and the DEO committee, I want to thank you for agreeing to take on the role of Convenor.   It is genuinely a real joy and blessing to have a Quaker undertaking the role.  I am certain that the Quaker values, along with the passion and commitment that you already bring to our efforts to unite Christians, will serve NWCT well. We all wish you well for the future in helping to guide our ecumenical efforts. 

Details of the senior Church leaders of Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney can be obtained via NWCT’s website or by emailing the County Ecumenical Officer

Photo from the ordination of Bishop Peter Collins during which he greets Liz Hoffbauer; courtesy of rcdea.org.uk