Diocese of Newcastle. Annual Reports.

Transcription

1 Diocese of Newcastle Annual Reports

2 Contents 2 Bishop s Council and Standing Committee 3 Church in Society 3 Together Newcastle 4 PARTNERS in Community Action 5 Local Evangelism 6 Local Ministry Development 7 Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee 7 Diocesan Advisory Committee 8 Houses & Glebe Committee 8 Parish Giving 10 Vocations 10 Spirituality & Spiritual Direction 11 Youth Team 12 Ministry of the Retired Clergy 13 Ecumenical Officer 14 Task Groups 1

3 Bishop s Council and Standing Committee 2014 was a significant year for the life of the Diocese of Newcastle. Bishop Martin retired after eighteen years as our Diocesan Bishop and we bade him and Marlene God Speed at a farewell service at the Cathedral in September. Bishop Martin s retirement brought to life the work of the little known Vacancy in See Committee which began its work in October, chaired by the Dean and staffed by the Diocesan Secretary. The year also included two Open Synod Forums, the first of which explored Vocation and met at the Northumberland Church of England Academy in March and this enabled an exploration of a variety of workshops on vocation. The second Open Forum, called Evangelism: A Way Forward also met at the Academy in September and included footage from the Mission Weekend taking place at Willington that very weekend as well as interactive workshops and workgroups. We thank the Vocations Task Group and the Evangelism Task Group for arranging two significant events. The Bishop s Council welcomed Ann Purves as a member and engaged with the work of the national Task Groups set up by the Archbishops to look at aspects of church life and legislation. At the Bishop s Council residential meeting in November the Council began to work through the proposed reforms that would be presented to the General Synod in February These proposals, still being refined, will form the backdrop of our work for spiritual and numerical growth and financial stability. In October the Lay Voices initiative held a one day conference at the Centre for Life in Newcastle. Delegates from across the Diocese took part in sessions about authentic faith, church growth, national Church Agenda and helped to inform the questionnaire published by the Vacancy in See Committee to help to gather ideas for the future from across the Diocese. I am indebted to the members of the Bishop s Council for their commitment, work and support during the course of the year, and to all those who contribute to the life and mission of the Diocese through our respective Boards, Committees and Task Groups. None of this would run smoothly without the dedicated work of our staff in the Diocesan Office for whom we give hearty thanks. We pray for the work of the Crown Nominations Commission and our representatives: The Ven Peter Robinson; The Revd Canon Dr Dagmar Winter; The Revd Canon John Sinclair; Canon Sue Hart; Canon Roger Styring; and Canon Carol Wolstenholme. +Frank The Rt Revd Frank White, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle 2

4 Church in Society O ver the past year, I have been involved in various efforts that have, in one way or another, sought to bring the church into partnership with other organisations including the City Council and voluntary sector. This has included trying to set up a city leaders forum, helping arrange advice training sessions for church volunteers, and working with Changing Lives to introduce meditation into their recovery programmes. Some of these initiatives have been more successful than others. The voluntary and public sectors are stretched to the limit and churches often are too. Sometimes it is hard to galvanise support for yet another new initiative! However, there were some particular milestones in These included Newcastle achieving official recognition as a City of Sanctuary, with an award ceremony at the Civic Centre on 9 June. The working group, of which I am a member, continues to strive for a culture of welcome and hospitality to refugees and asylum seekers. Much of my time over the past year has been taken up with Community Organising. At the beginning of the year, the January Conference floated the idea of Community Organising as one of the ways in which it might be possible to bring about social change in the north east. It offers a powerful way for civil society organisations to work together more effectively for change. Significantly, just over half the member organisations of Citizens UK are faith groups, who see community organising as a practical way of putting faith into action. In October I went on the six day Citizens UK training course, which coincided with the launch of Cardiff Citizens on 22 October. Since then things have continued to move forward and an initial group is starting to form. The next couple of years could be very exciting for our diocese and region! The Revd Dr Nicholas Buxton Bishop s Advisor for Church and Society buxton.nicholas@gmail.com Together Newcastle is a partnership between the Diocese of Newcastle and Church Urban Fund and exists to assist local churches to tackle the effects of poverty within its neighbourhood. At Together Newcastle we understand poverty to be more than an issue of personal wealth, as it impacts on our relationships, our identity and our resources and when poverty is imposed, it is not a lifestyle choice. Together Newcastle has continued to work with parishes and neighbourhoods within the Diocese. In 2014 we have had contact with over 20 parishes throughout the Diocese, and 17 organisations from the statutory and voluntary sectors. As a result we are developing an extensive network of positive working relationships which currently includes the Culture Kitchen, Northumberland County Council, Money Wise and other local credit unions, Unlock, Timebank UK Newcastle Council for Voluntary Services. We have provided a wide range of help and support to fourteen parishes within the diocese who wanted to set up particular activities or pieces of work within their neighbourhood. We have helped to: Set up and run a Holiday Play Scheme Deliver training sessions about benefits and information advice and guidance services Complete and submit several funding applications in several parishes Set up a parent and toddler group 3

5 Contributing to the development and work of the Diocesan Poverty Task group Develop ideas and plans for some youth work provision Link churches into networks within the voluntary and statutory sectors. At the start of 2014 we were been joined by Liz Chadwick our Volunteer Development Worker. Liz brings extensive knowledge of Credit Unions and Financial Information advice and guidance. Liz has been working on a number of activities with particular emphasis on work with credit unions, foodbanks and financial advices service; looking at how we can help to increase what is on offer and bring about greater coordination of these services. Some of the areas we have been working in over the past twelve months included: Alnwick Byker Longbenton Lynemouth & Cresswell Scotswood Wooler Together Newcastle works closely with the CUF Research Manager and assisted with a number of research projects, providing case studies, and contacts/ interviewees to contribute to the growing bank of knowledge and evidence based research into poverty. All these reports are available on the CUF website at including The Church in Action report Steve Forster Development Worker for Together Newcastle steve.forster@together-newcastle.org Tel: liz.chadwick@together-newcastle.org Tel: angela.abrahams@together-newcastle.org PARTNERS in Community Action O ften a congregation begins to think of being a PARTNER In Community Action through circumstances such as: The church building needs substantial repairs: how could this beautiful, underused resource be open and available on more than Sunday morning? The PCC turns to the next round of the diocese's Mission Action Plan (MAP) and wonders how to start to think about serving the community A crisis in the local community such as statutory services being closed through government cut-backs; youth clubs, elderly lunch clubs. The church community is asked to respond. The work of PARTNERS is also to enable individuals to 'give it a go'. Two training days in Food Hygiene, (nationally accredited at Level 2), were offered this year for parishes wanting to meet and help people through serving meals of simply coffee and cake. What would help YOUR PARISH feel more confident to engage in community action? THANK YOU to those parishes who have already responded to Bishop Martin's appeal to re-fund Partners In Community Action for the years to come. Churches have sent charity donations, held coffee mornings and social evenings. Along with grants from businesses and other funders, your donation will allow PARTNERS to continue to support churches engaging in their community. The latest PARTNERS flyer with news of some of recent projects can be found at the PARTNERS page on the diocesan website. The Revd Frances Wilson PARTNERS Development Officer f.wilson@newcastle.anglican.org 4

6 Local Evangelism T he year began with the ongoing work of leading parishes through the Healthy Church process. I led training with year 7 curates, from both Newcastle and Durham dioceses, on how to develop a shared vision for mission and outreach. I was involved in training specifically aimed at Churchwardens and their role in mission and in the production of effective Mission Action Plans (MAPs). The year continued with a group of Students, from Cranmer Hall, Durham, on placement with me at the Cathedral. Events were held in the Cathedral and across the city centre to give then a flavour of the outreach work done in the diocese. In May I organised a Mission Shaped Introduction vision day in Cragside School. Over 80 people spent the day looking at how Fresh Expressions might help in their parish situation. This work was built upon with the launch of a year long Mission Shaped Ministry course. This was hosted in Church House and taught ecumenically by the Fresh Expression Area Strategy Team (FEAST) of which I am part, along with a group of Fxp practitioners. June was the month we planned and ran a mission weekend in Seghill and Holywell, where, among other things, we processed throughout the community with Bishop Frank and offered prayers of blessing at the Holy Well. I also continued my training as a Street Pastor, which will enable me to do the work rather than simply being an observer. In Summer I found myself working for a few days in York Diocese promoting the Pilgrim course at venues across York. I agreed to do this as I knew it would help with the spread of the new discipleship course here in Newcastle. I was also involved in some of the filming of the new Pilgrim promotional videos, which was fun. The work with MAP s and healthy churches continued to run throughout the year. In the Autumn, I was privileged to help organise and deliver two mission weekends. Willington team and Killingworth parish were the venues and the events were varied and full. The Evangelism Task Group lead the diocesan synod Forum in September where work was done on shaping the areas of work around evangelism for the future. Preparations continued for the evangelism trip to Botswana planned for early 2015 in which I will play a part. The year ended with a trip to Sheffield to attend a conference following the From Anecdote to Evidence report, with the title From Evidence to Action. I thought it was a little disappointing with thin content. I have been asked to join the Archbishop of York s evangelism reference group, so that will be something to look forward to in 2015 along with the exciting ongoing work in Newcastle. A joint deanery event was held in October, at Cafe Azure which could form the basis of more deanery joint working in the future. This brief report can only be a snapshot with most things not mentioned. I am always happy to be contacted if you would like to discuss my work, or if you feel I could help in some way. Bishop Frank continues to be my line manager and I appreciate deeply his insight and wisdom. Thanks to Steve Dixon and the Evangelism Task Group as well as all in our great diocese who have made my year so rich and personally rewarding. The Revd Canon John Sinclair Adviser in Local Evangelism and Mission johnsinclair247@aol.com 5

7 Local Ministry Development Officer I n my third of a five year contract as Local Ministry Development Officer I have continued to encourage the development of networks within and between parishes and deaneries. We had our first regional get-togethers in Belford, Byker and St John Lee in February These were requested in order to help local teams explore how the LMD process best operates in their context and attracted established groups and explorers. About 100 of us gathered for our annual network event in July in a new venue, Café Azure in Cramlington. We had a great evening exploring the theme of Trinity through prayer and a Bible study led by Bishop Frank. The LMD mailing continues to keep members in touch with what s happening in the diocese and beyond and with resources and ideas for groups as do regular articles in the LINK. Whilst some new parishes are exploring a formal Local Ministry Development scheme other parishes face their Incumbents moving on and new Incumbents arriving which leads to a redefinition and focus for LM in the parish. Connections with LMD and discipleship are strengthening as it is clear that local ministry development is intrinsically linked with discipleship development. There was an evaluation of discipleship courses like Faith and Life and Living Theology North East and I have been involved in training and publicity for the Pilgrim course as well as some Reader training and training for churchwardens. New resources are now available at the Religious Resources Centre in Church House, Percy Main for small groups and facilitators. A new initiative to strengthen the connections between LMD, Mission Action Planning and Deanery Development has begun. Carol Wolstenholme, John Sinclair and I have met together with the Archdeacons and, in December, we attended the From Evidence to Action conference. Some initiatives have not proved successful. The two day course for Incumbents entitled Being a Collaborative Leader was run with Durham diocese in Nov 2013 and March This got good feedback and was well attended but there were not enough takers to run it again in November. Likewise, a training day seeking to build confidence for lay people in leading worship had to be cancelled for lack of interest. I am sure however, these areas of works will be revisited in the future. The national networks continue to offer encouragement that we are more than holding our own in our growth and development of Local Ministry, mission and discipleship. I was present at the National Anglican Adult Education Network conference in July and as a member of the Adult Ed Core Group I attended meetings in London where we contributed to the General Synod paper on Discipleship. A group of people from the LMD Task Group and LMD parishes in the diocese attended the National LMD conference in Manchester in November. This enabled sharing and reflection on the national picture of LMD with good input from speakers and a chance to hear stories about God at work in parishes across the country. It is becoming increasingly important for Task Groups to work together, sharing resources and ideas. As well as being involved in the Vocation and Evangelism Open Synods, as a result of November 2013 s Ministry Conversations day, the LMD Task Group met with the Vocations and CMD Task Groups and Readers Executive. One outcome of this has been an invitation to the diocese from these Task Groups to reflect together on Trinity Sunday this year on the Ministry of the Whole People of God. The Revd Rachel Wood Local Ministry Development Officer r.wood@newcastle.anglican.org and 6

8 Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee (DMPC) T he Committee met five times in 2014, including an Away Day at Shepherds Dene in February where the Committee received a presentation about the Ministry Conversations day held in November In July the Revd Janet Appleby, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, gave a presentation about Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPS). The core work of the Committee continued, including consideration of suspensions of presentation, some oversight of the Diocesan Pastoral Account and of closed churches. The sale of one closed church at Duddo was completed in the late autumn. A Pastoral Scheme in Corbridge Deanery for the Moorland Group was completed in June and the Committee worked with other parishes including the Benwell Team about proposals for Scotswood to become part of the Team Ministry. The closure of Lynemouth St Aidans was considered by the Committee. In the summer we discussed some emerging themes within a piece of work called Resourcing the Future which is now included within a wider programme of Reform and Renewal. We said farewell to one of our members, Cynthia Bishop and at the end of November the Secretary, Nigel Foxon retired, having served the Committee for a number of years. The Diocesan Secretary has been acting Secretary to the DMPC during the vacancy. The Revd Paul Scott Chairman Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) T he committee met eight times in 2014, including meetings at Bedlington St Cuthbert in June and Seghill Holy Trinity in July. The annual tour on 28 August, visited the parishes of Bolam, Hartburn, Westy Woodburn. Corsenside and Bellingham. The annual dinner was held in the Cathedral on 4 September. The Committee continues to process a great many items of business, offering informal advice to the parishes and formal advice (over a hundred cases in 2104) to the Chancellor from the parishes. The committee also continues to exercise a wider interest in environmental affairs affecting the churches of the diocese. On 2 June the diocese held its second Energy Choices event at Holy Nativity Church, Chapel House addressed by Roger Styring and David Archer. This was organised by David Lovie of Inspired North East, who together with Andrew Duff continue to contribute richly to the life of the diocese by enabling churches to discover and fund sustainable and imaginative uses for church buildings within the context of the wider community and by opening churches to visitors. I wish to record my grateful thanks to the members of the committee who give generously of their time and expertise. We are greatly in their debt. Amongst them, Peter Ryder continues to makes an outstanding contribution with his perceptive and thorough archaeological reports on the churches of the diocese. One priority for the committee in 2015 is to find a way of making these more widely accessible online. The work of the archdeacons in support of the committee is also tireless. Their knowledge of the churches of the diocese is extraordinary. 7

9 Finally, I would like to record the committee s indebtedness to Nigel Foxon who retired as Secretary at the end of November, after over twenty years of devoted and service and quite remarkable attention to detail. Canon Dr Geoffrey Purves Chairman dac@newcastle.anglican.org Houses & Glebe Committee 2014 has been another busy year. As always the committee has been making every effort to help support clergy and their families in the maintenance and care of their homes. The programme of improving the central heating in parsonages has continued with the result that over 10% benefitted from a new boiler and controls. There has also been investment on a select number of parsonages with the single glazed windows being replaced with double glazed ones. Over the last five years this capital investment into boilers, insulation and double glazing has seen a big increase in the overall energy efficiency of vicarages from an average SAP rating of 46.1 to Whilst there is work to do it is encouraging that these positive steps have been taken so far. The letting of vacant houses to private tenants during interregna has been maintained and this provided a helpful addition to Diocesan funds, resulting in fewer demands on sequestrators time too. The year included 22 clergy moving in or out of vicarages and it is with thanks to, with only a small number of exceptions, clergy leaving their parsonages in a clean and tidy condition. As always, there has been a good number of ideas put forward by clergy in respect to improving particular vicarages or indeed proposals for wider policy, affecting all the houses. These are always considered and discussed sensitively and whilst not every thought can be implemented, many are. One such example being that whenever a bathroom refurbishment is undertaken it now includes, where possible, a separate shower enclosure. The management of the glebe land and holdings forms an important part of the committee s role in seeking to fulfil the ecclesiastical obligations and requirements. One of the small office holdings in Bedlington was able to benefit from the elevation being improved this year through the local authority shop frontage scheme and, following a period of vacancy, all three of these shops/offices are now tenanted. With thanks to the committee members for dedicating their time and sharing their knowledge with their usual enthusiasm and encouragement. Thanks too to our fine Property Team of Ian Beswick and Alison Campbell for their care and professionalism. Roger Windass Chairman Houses and Glebe Committee Parish Giving T months. hank you to every parish and individual within it, with whom I have worked over the last 12 It has been both exciting and satisfying, though there have been moments when I am sure you, like me, have wondered if we are doing the right thing. For me the excitement has come from continuing to explore Faithraising over Fundraising and in developing a deeper understanding that our gifts are given to God and not to the building we call our church. Each of us will have a different reason why we give generously to our Lord, some perhaps give in thanks for all He gives to us, others maybe as part of their own personal discipleship journey, but whatever the 8

10 reason it is in giving that we help to build His Kingdom. It is from these gifts that the Parish and the Diocese can continue its mission and its ministry to be a church open for all who want it. This is where the excitement comes from, knowing that in the giving of our treasure, our time and talents we are really are able to make a difference to those we serve. The moments of doubt are few and far between, but none the less do happen. Whether we are pitching the message correctly, or whether we have the time and the people to actually plan and run a giving campaign, are just two of the doubts that have crept in this year. And yet somehow it all comes together, we find the correct message, we find the right people, we find the energy and time to complete the task. Perhaps a very living example of faith working in us all. As well as working with parishes I have been working on other stewardship developments, including how we are best placed to connect with our rural communities and exploring how we can encourage our members to leave a gift to their church in their wills. Both of these working groups have made recommendations which will shortly appear on the Diocesan Web Site and I am sure they will make a lasting difference. So I would conclude where I began. Thank you again to all those of you I have worked alongside this year, either in planning campaigns, on the other initiatives; you have all made it a year to remember. And finally a very big thank to Josie Pinnegar for her ability to produce quality artwork and print, both of which make all our campaigns so professional. Richard Gascoyne Parish Giving Officer r.gascoyne@newcastle.anglican.org Interfaith & Ethnic Relations (CIFER) 2014 began with CIFER s conference for clergy, teachers and readers which focused on Passing on the Faiths which was successful with over 70 delegates attending. I am also part of the organising group of Voices of Faith which is a bi-monthly interfaith dialogue group. The sessions this year have focused on topics such as Encountering Prayer, Religion War and Peace, Women and issues around Birth and Death. Voices of Faith regularly attract around people who also suggest further topics or issues for future meetings. A major part of my work this year has been organising a series of events at Northumberland Church of England Academy (NCEA) which will take place over a 2 week period in January 2015, Keeping the Memory Alive: Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz speakers have been invited from Auschwitz, Poland and Israel as well as a Holocaust Survivor and the Anne Frank Exhibition. I have had many funding applications to complete to raise the money to allow these events to take place. I have also set up and organised another 4 day study visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau for teachers, clergy and students. This years National Inter-Faith Week was also very busy with many events taking place in the Diocese, with a short service taking place at the Cathedral with religious leaders. As secretary for Newcastle Council of Faiths I have been involved in a number of initiatives, not least in helping to organise the 2014 Peace Walk in the city which attracted over 100 people. My work with the Northumbria Polices Strategic Independent Advisory Group (SIAG) continues, my work with them involves helping with policy at a strategic level. Young People in Conversation (YPiC) which is a group consisting of young people of faith, 9

11 a 3 day programme looking at Hate Crime and Racism was organised and a day at Church House was held with the Chief Constable and other police officers coming to listen to the concerns and issues of young people of faith. On a more negative side 2014 has been a particular busy year with anti Semitism on the increase both locally, Nationally and within Europe and the rise of extremism throughout the world often makes certain communities and individuals feel very vulnerable and targeted. There have been EDL marches in the City and demonstrations about the conflict in the summer between Israel and Gaza. I have been involved in a lot of work talking to leaders and community members trying to keep conversations and friendships from falling apart. Lesley Hillary Interfaith & Ethnic Relations Adviser l.hillary@newcastle.anglican.org Vocations The Task Group organised a well-attended and appreciated Open Diocesan Synod Forum on the theme of vocation in its broadest sense. Following Bible study and discussion, there were opportunities to sample a range of different workshops and inputs: VOCATIONS TO TRADITIONAL FORMS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE; TO NEW MONASTICISM THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY; VOCATIONS SUPPORTING FAMILY LIFE; VOCATIONS IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND WORK; VOCATIONS TO PRAYER; IN EDUCATION; TO READER MINISTRY; TO ORDAINED MINISTRY; TO VOLUNTARY SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY; LOCAL MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT. We also benefited from the presence of the LINDISFARNE RTP, and the GOD-CALLING NETWORK. This network has been another main plank of our work this year. It aims to be a network for young adults (18-30) in the Diocese of Newcastle. Our vision is to develop a network of young adults in the Diocese to grow in faith, friendship and Anglican identity. Through this network we would seek to affirm young people as visible, active, and contributing as young leaders to the life and mission of the Diocese and Church into the future. This project grows out of the successful work done by the Diocesan Youth Team with teenagers over recent years. Our plan is to develop a network of shared spaces, both physically and online, in which they can grow together as Christians, supported by a wider team of young clergy from within the Diocese. Discussion also continued with the Local Ministry Task Group about possible fruitful areas of joint working. A number of parishes received visiting preachers for Vocations Sunday. The Revd Canon Ian Flintoft Diocesan Director of Ordinands i.flintoft@newcastle.anglican.org Spirituality & Spiritual Direction T his has been a full year with some good developments and growth as well as the sustaining of groups and individuals. I notice with joy that there are a number of people or groups who are offering creative and thoughtful ways for those around them to meditate, pray, discover more about the spiritual life. The important work of spiritual direction continues through the network of spiritual directors with many new enquirers seeking accompaniment. I meet and work with all those looking for a director. We need to keep seeking those who are called and gifted in the work of spiritual accompaniment. Small groups for peer supervision for spiritual direction meet around the Diocese, establishing 10

12 or re-establishing patterns and ways of working to resource those involved. The Exploring Prayer project continues in modest and delightful ways, and seems especially usable for smaller parishes. The North Northumberland Spirituality Network continues to flourish and develop, offering a variety of resources in the north of the Diocese. Shepherds Dene continues as a resource to the region and further afield where many find refreshment and rest. I offer background support. There has been a continuing call for me to lead Quiet Days, retreat and to do some teaching, all to help those wanting to explore and deepen their prayer and reflection. I continue to meet with colleagues throughout the Diocese and occasionally with some in Durham Diocese to resource projects of mutual interest. The Revd Canon Alison White Adviser for Spirituality & Spiritual Direction alisonmarywhite@btinternet.com Youth Team I t has been a year of significant change for the Youth Officers of the Diocese. Reverend Canon Andrew Shipton stepped down from being the Youth Team Leader, but retains involvement as a consultant to the newly being formed Youth and Children s team. Reverend James Harvey took up the Diocesan Youth Officer for the North of the diocese at the end of August. Reverend Bar Nash Williams left her post as Diocesan Youth Officer for the West of the diocese in October, to be replaced in the New Year. Such changes have affected the work of the Task Group. However, much good work has been done during the year including: Staying Alive conference 82 young people and leaders spent 4 days in worship, teaching, fellowship and service. This was preceded by a 48 hour retreat for leaders and young people over 19. Both were highly successful and continue to be flagship projects for the work we do amongst young people. Liquid a new monthly evening celebration of fun, worship and teaching began in Morpeth in September and has captured the imagination of many young people. Hot Chocolate projects the number of these expanded through 2014 to 12. Mission 15 young people from the diocese took part in a 2 week mission trip to Mexico over the summer. Parish youth work: 9 parishes received grants for youth work initiatives including youth pilgrimages to Walsingham and Taize. 8 parishes were provided with free Urban Saints materials to use with their young people. New youth team in Hexham One appointed and 2 parishes began the process of appointing paid youth workers Advice on a number of issues to do with engaging and encouraging young people was given in many parishes across the diocese Youth Advocacy 12 young people from the diocese went to the 10th Anniversary of the Youth Council in York Minster. Young people also helped in developing the Pilgrim course. God calling network this network of young people exploring vocation has grown in number and activity during the year to provide a significant space for many young people to grow in faith and calling. Supporting Parishes The We have no Young People what do we do? presentation was held in 6 different places throughout the year. Also 11

13 presentations were given to Area Deans of the Lindisfarne Archdeaconry and Church Wardens from across the diocese to encourage youth work. Supporting youth workers regular network meetings for paid and voluntary Youth Workers continued through Partnership work we continued to work with and promote regional youth events including Excite and Wired, STOP and Ninth Hour. Ministry of the Retired Clergy W e continue to have about 200 retired clergy in the Diocese - a high number compared with many dioceses and of course considerably higher than the number of clergy ministering under licence. This year we introduced a Study morning in May at Stannington and those present were stimulated in interesting discussion by Revd Dr Stephen Barton's reflection on aspects of Resurrection faith, as seen in the pages of scripture. In December we held the biennial three regional meetings, to bring retireds together over worship and lunch, and to provide an opportunity for them to contribute to the drawing up of the 'person spec' for a new Diocesan Bishop. In January 2015, Canon Joan Dotchin and I had a chance to meet with the Archbishops' and Prime Minister's Appointments Secretaries, to present those views. We give thanks to God for the ministry of Michael Nelson, who died at Easter He had pastored the retired clergy of Bedlington and Morpeth Deaneries since his own retirement. We welcome Joan Dotchin and David Cant who have taken up those responsibilities. We are also grateful to Alan Craig, Malcolm Fenwick and Christopher Smith who maintained contact with those in Alnwick, Corbridge and Norham respectively and whose places have now been taken by John Wylam, Michael Thompson and Linda Chapman. The Senior Staff have adopted a policy of encouraging a conversation to happen between all who are newly applying for Permission To Officiate (PTO) and a Deanery Retired Officer, before one is issued. The purpose of this is to clarify expectancy and especially to introduce folk who haven't worked in the Diocese to discover who's around and where the opportunities for engagement might be. PTOs will be dependent on DBS clearance. There is the strongest encouragement for those already with PTOs to take part in Safeguarding training. Changing circumstances in finance make it an even greater necessity for those in stipendiary ministry to consider planning for the housing and financial aspects of retiring as soon as they can. A few of our clergy and their spouses have been adversely affected by changes in the CHARM Rental Scheme, and other aspects of the Pensions Board's housing schemes are likely to be reviewed soon. I occasionally remind the Pensions Board that the furthest north their retirement units are sited are Liverpool and Scarborough. That might seem 'north' to Londoners - but we know different! The needs of retired clergy and clergy widows/widowers were close to Bishop Martin's heart and we thank him as he joins our number, for his interest and care. That mantle has fallen for the time being on the broad and capable shoulders of Bishop Frank, and he and I will always be happy to hear about 'retireds' needs'. The Revd Canon Colin Gough Bishop s Officer for Retired Clergy canoncolin@gmail.com 12

14 Ecumenical Officer O ne of the key players in our Diocesan structures is the 'Task Group', so I am delighted that this year we have succeeded in setting up an Ecumenical Task Group. This group has met a number of times. We soon decided that in order to be effective we would need to know what is already going on 'on the ground' ecumenically. Therefore we have been contacting the deaneries regarding their ecumenical links. So far results suggest that rural areas are more likely to be cooperating ecumenically in the use of buildings etc. and also more likely to experience the challenges which arise when there is only one church building to service a whole area. However, there is more work to be done, so our priorities for 2015 are as follows: To try to visit as many Deaneries as possible to raise profile of the Task Group To provide more information on the Diocesan website: legal documentation and activities To plan for a workshop day/half day later in the year: Saturday 10 October 2015 We also see our work as having close links with the Evangelism Task Group in particular, since mission is the 'raison d'etre' of ecumenism. After all Christ prayed that 'We may be one that the world may believe'; and our divisions are a scandal which often hampers our evangelism. In this regard I also regard my work on DMPC as important, not only in offering advice and support to senior staff, but also in encouraging the consideration of the Ecumenical implications of any decisions that are made. In particular I would hope that the Deanery development programme will include consultation with other denominations relevant to that locality at the earliest opportunity. One of the priorities of the Anglican-Methodist Covenant is to share ministry and resources and we can only do that effectively if we move towards joint strategic planning, especially at the deanery level and most usefully when a deanery and circuit coincide. I have also been pleased to enable churches and churches together groups with Ecumenical advice and support. For example, Alnmouth Church has been working on a Memorandum of Understanding with the local Methodists to facilitate their use of the building when requested. This has involved clarifying the legal position regarding marriage, which by law has to be conducted by a clerk in holy orders when solemnised in a Church of England church. The Ecumenical Officers' Group and the Local Ecumenism Group have also met regularly. Our significant work has included simplifying and streamlining the procedure for reviewing LEPs. We hope this will free up more time for us to concentrate on mission together. We also welcomed the initiation of NECAT North East Churches Acting Together and its new officer Joanne Thorns. I spend a significant amount of time on national ecumenical bodies, namely the Council for Christian Unity (CCU) and the Methodist Anglican Panel for Unity in Mission (MAPUM) and feel that these broaden and enrich my understanding of the ecumenical landscape in ways that I can then use to inform the Diocesan role in a helpful way. For example, the need to interact more with the 'new' churches and the 'New Ecumenism', both of which are areas I hope to be able to explore more in the future. Other hopes for 2015 are to clarify and explicate the 'formula' by which Single Congregation LEPs pay their 'share'. This is a work in progress. Also to strengthen links with CIFER, especially with regard to contact with some of the ethnic churches and issues regarding sharing church buildings. 13

15 However, in the short term, I am hoping for a 'sabbatical' April to June 2014, during which time the Task Group has kindly agreed to 'cover' for me should any issues arise requiring urgent attention. The Revd Janet Appleby Ecumenical Officer janeteappleby@yahoo.com Task Groups Deanery Development Canon Carol Wolstenholme Evangelism Capt Steve Dixon Local Ministry Dev. Robert Peers Children s work Group The Revd Tim Ferguson Young People s Work The Revd Andrew Shipton Tourism Andrew Duff Estates & Urban Dev. The Revd Stephen Herbert Higher Education The Very Revd C Dalliston T ask Groups are the way in which the Diocese articulates some of it's work. They are both short and long term groups who set 'tasks' and achievement dates and targets. Task Groups change annually and there are currently 20 Diocesan Task Groups in operation. Information about them is accessible to the public on the Diocesan Website which also offers the opportunity for Task Groups to communicate with each other inside a closed link. The Task Groups work collaboratively and in an open forum for both reporting and budget setting. They meet 3 times each year in order to: set priorities (related to the Diocesan priorities for that year) set budgets (Jan / Feb) monitor progress - (May ) monitor budgets, update successes and begin to prepare Annual Reports which are submitted in December for Bishop's Council early in the New Year. This process is overseen by the Ven. Geoff Miller Archdeacon of Northumberland and co-ordinated by Canon Sue Hart and Ms. Gloria Cadman who act as administrators. Disability The Revd Bill Rigby CIFER The Revd Gavin Wort Botswana Link Group Allan Marks/Nick Darby Winchester Link The Revd Canon R Gage Worship and Liturgy The Rt Revd Frank White Learning Church The Ven Peter Robinson Ecumenism The Revd Janet Appleby Continuing Ministerial Dev. The Revd Catherine Pickford Møre Link Group The Revd Canon Brian Hurst Vocations The Revd Canon Ian Flintoft Poverty Action The Revd Canon P Kenney Task Development Sue Hart/Gloria Cadman Details of their activities, planned and completed, as well as contact details are available on the Diocesan Task Groups website at: If you would like more information or to join in any of the work do make contact with any of the Task Group conveners. Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance. A Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. Registered in England number Registered office: Church House, St John s Terrace, North Shields NE29 6HS Tel: info@newcastle.anglican.org Website: Twitter: #nclsynod 14