NOTTINGHAM NORTH DEANERY

Transcription

1 NOTTINGHAM NORTH DEANERY DEANERY SYNOD HANDBOOK February 2014

2 Area Dean Revd Elizabeth Snowden Area Dean and Vicar of Bestwood Emmanuel and Bestwood St Mark. Lay Chairs Mr Peter Munro, Wollaton St Leonard Mrs Anne Walters, Wollaton St Leonard Deanery Treasurer Mr Greg Cowley Bestwood St Mark 2

3 The Church of England in Nottingham North Joining together in the Transforming Mission of God Our diocesan vision offers us three strands which guide our deanery and parish practice: Living Worship giving God the glory and honour in our life together and out in the world. Growing Disciples seeing more people become followers of Jesus and Jesus followers more humbly confident in their faith. Seeking Justice working for a fairer world for everyone both locally and globally, marked by God s justice. The Sculptures at Jubilee House on themes of seeking Justice: He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord s favour... Isaiah 61:1 In Nottingham North we have a vision of an increasingly collaborative style of ministry across the whole of the Deanery. We are seeking to place prayer, worship and spiritual disciplines at the heart of ministry and are placing an emphasis on growing disciples and seeking justice. 3

4 A Deanery handbook This handbook aims to give information about the Deanery, key personnel and our priorities within the Nottingham North Deanery. It offers definitions of the roles and responsibilities of Deanery Synod Reps and explains how the Deanery is organised. What are Deaneries? Our diocese has 9 deaneries which are groups of parishes and churches. The deaneries are grouped into two Archdeaconries and the Venerable Peter Hill is the Archdeacon of Nottingham. He has spiritual oversight, pastoral care and administrative responsibility for the clergy and people in this part of the diocese. Each deanery has an Area Dean and for the two larger Nottingham deaneries the Area Deans are 0.5 posts. How is the Deanery organised? Each deanery is organised differently and, following the 2020 consultation, Nottingham North has agreed that parishes should work together in groupings and across the Deanery as a whole. Within the parish groupings there will be both episcopal and missional leaders and the Deanery is exploring how these will be differentiated and work together. Episcopal leaders are clergy tasked with oversight of the groupings, they have a wider perspective and an ability to lead and to engage collaboratively. The missional leaders can be clergy or lay and are more concerned with fresh expression, being able to reach the unchurched and not those just on the fringe of church. The Deanery is committed to affirming lay leadership and ministry within the groupings and across the Deanery as a whole. Our groupings are: Aspley and Wollaton Bulwell, Basford and Sherwood Broxtowe and Cinderhill the Bestwood Six Churches Bilborough and Strelley Trowell, Awsworth, Cossall, Nuthall, Kimberley and Stapleford. 4

5 5 Deanery Map

6 What is Synod? The Church of England is episcopally led and synodically governed. The word synod comes from two Greek words which mean the way and together. Governance through synods is built on the principle of partnership between bishops, clergy and lay people. The different levels of this are PCC, Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod and General Synod. Deanery Synod has a concern for the whole mission of the church pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Who are Deanery Synod? House of Clergy All parish incumbents and non-retired licensed clergy. Deanery Chapter is a mutually supportive arrangement for licensed clergy and parish incumbents in the Deanery. Meetings are at lunchtime and include worship, theological reflection, business and food. House of Laity Every parish has lay representatives known as Deanery Synod Members (DSMs). DSMs are elected every three years from church members on the electoral roll. Deanery Synod members are automatically co-opted to their own Parochial Church Council. DSMs have the opportunity to serve the wider church and have a say in shaping it. 6

7 What is the purpose of Deanery Synod? Within the Church of England bishops take overall leadership on policy and strategy whilst clergy and people, together in synods, make decisions about the day to day running of the local church. Deanery Synod serves as a communication link between people in the parishes, the Diocese (Diocesan Synod) and the Church of England nationally (General Synod). Ideally it means that areas of interest and concern can be communicated from clergy and people in local churches to the wider church. Decisions and consultations may be brought from General Synod to gather the views of local churches and to keep the local church informed and involved. The Deanery is a strategic mission unit in the diocese and therefore the Synod, Chapters and other meetings having the vision of resourcing parish mission. We meet To participate in what is being discussed and decided in Diocesan Synod and in General Synod. To share good practice between local churches and to discuss common concerns. To learn more together about our context and new opportunities. To discern our deanery priorities and plan strategies for joint action. To explore ways of working together and to support each other. To agree individual parish share to enable the Deanery to resource parish ministry. To develop and build relationships with neighbouring parishes and across the Deanery. Our meetings are rotated around different parishes as a way of offering hospitality and our distinctive worship styles/spirituality to each other. 7

8 What happens at a Deanery Synod Meeting? Synod meetings usually open and close with worship and prayer. The meeting normally has a business section on the agenda for giving notices, points of information and a financial update on parish share. There is usually one main item with speakers and/or debate and discussion. The aim is that members should leave the meeting more informed, having had an opportunity to contribute their views and be affirmed and energised for God s work back in their parish. The synod belongs to members and its success, or otherwise, depends on members contributions! The Area Dean Each deanery has an Area Dean on a fixed term licence who is appointed by the bishop after consulting with the deanery. They work very closely with the Lay Chair(s) with whom some of their responsibilities are shared. In May 2013 Revd Elizabeth Snowden, Vicar of Bestwood Emmanuel and St Mark, was appointed as our Area Dean. The Responsibilities of the Area Dean are:- To exercise leadership in the Deanery. 8 To maintain regular contact with the Archdeacon and the Bishop and advise them regarding any specific needs of parishes or clergy. To have a pastoral concern for the welfare of all clergy and their families in the Deanery. To convene regular meetings of Deanery Chapter. To support parishes during vacancies (interregnums); participate in the interviewing process and arrange services of licensing, induction, institution and installation. To have a key role in the Diocesan Emergency Plan.

9 The Lay Chairs The Deanery Lay Chairs are the leading elected representatives of the laity in the Deanery. They are able to help achieve many of the major objectives of Deanery Synod outlined above. The Lay Chairs also advise the Area Dean and discuss with them the attitude and views of the laity on any matters affecting them. Our Lay Chairs are Peter Munro and Anne Walters, both from Wollaton, St Leonard s. They Work closely with the Area Dean in deanery leadership. Support lay people in contributing to the management and mission of local churches. Share in worship at all churches across the Deanery and make contact with churchwardens and members of the PCC. Who are the Deanery Leadership Team? The Deanery Leadership Team is made up of the Area Dean, Lay Chairs, members of the Houses of Laity and Clergy, the Deanery Treasurer and the Deanery Administrator. The team Take responsibility for shaping deanery policy and strategy. Meet between each synod meeting to set agendas for and review the outcomes of Deanery Synod meetings. Advise parishes and diocesan leadership about pastoral reorganisation and parsonage provision. Have oversight of parish share and grant applications. Our Deanery Leadership Team are: Revd Elizabeth Snowden, Mr Peter Munro, Mrs Ann Walters, Mr Greg Cowley, Revd Jon Hutchinson (Aspley St Margaret), Revd Andy Lord (Awsworth St Peter, Cossall St Helen and Trowell St Peter) and the Deanery Administrator, Mrs Kirsty Cowley. 9

10 Diocesan Synod Representatives Some members of Deanery Synod have been elected to serve on Diocesan Synod. Their role is to: Attend Diocesan Synod meetings and represent the Deanery. Take information and issues of concern from the deaneries to the Diocesan Synod. Report back to deanery synod information and decisions taken at Diocesan Synod. The Deanery Administrator The Deanery Administrator works under the direction of the Area Dean and Lay Chairs and is a key channel of communication with clergy, churchwardens, diocesan and Bishop s office and general enquirers. The Administrator is a member of the Deanery Leadership Team and is responsible for: Providing the Deanery Synod and Leadership Team with clerical support for notification of meetings, circulating papers, minute taking, and record keeping. Receiving and distributing Diocesan communications. The Deanery Administrator for Nottingham North is Kirsty Cowley who is a Reader in Bestwood and also the Deanery Administrator for Nottingham South. 10

11 Contact Details Area Dean: Revd Elizabeth Snowden Tel: Lay Chairs: Peter Munro Tel: Anne Walters Tel: Revd Jon Hutchinson Tel: Revd Dr Andy Lord Tel: Deanery Administrator: Kirsty Cowley Deanery Treasurer: Greg Cowley Tel: Tel: Work Hours: Mon Fri Address: c/o 27 Nabbs Lane, Hucknall, Nottingham NG15 6JP 11