Lenten Visits Harrogate Deanery

Transcription

1 Summary: Lenten Visits The evening was a positive sharing of ideas with most people engaging in the discussions. The overall key themes to take away from this Deanery are: Social Justice should be a priority Engaging with Children and Young People (families and schools) Fairer parish share system Things to keep from the old: Joint services and celebrations and good relationships between parishes Mixture and diversity of parishes Regular Deanery Synod meetings Women s ministry Close relationships and contact with Bishops and Archdeacons Helping the homeless, poor and asylum seekers Fresh Expressions Key Issues the new Diocese should take forward: Communication both within the Diocese and to those outside Twinning and sharing of resources across different areas/types of parish Effective use and prudent management of finances and share Fresh Expressions Evangelism and Outreach Training and Supporting Laity Working ecumenically Social Justice should be a priority Engaging with Children and Young People (families and schools) Care for the clergy Minimising bureaucracy through structures and administration Resourcing the Parishes to do this: Reduction of/fairer Parish Share Clear and inspirational vision Support Fresh Expressions The one thing to take away: Working together to spread the gospel to all

2 Page 2 of 14 Question 1: Looking back over the last few years, what is there about this Deanery and its Parishes that you would wish to celebrate as being special and would wish to take with you into the life of the new Diocese? Popular themes: Joint services and celebrations and good relationships between parishes Mixture and diversity of parishes Regular Deanery Synod meetings Women s ministry Close relationships and contact with Bishops and Archdeacons Helping the homeless, poor and asylum seekers Fresh Expressions Comments from Cards: Friendliness of our meetings Distinctive traditions of different parishes Hospitality of host parishes Joint service with other churches in the Deanery Being able to meet in other churches in the Deanery The relationship between neighbouring parishes in the deanery Opportunities for celebrating together and sharing ideas and problems The good relationships that currently exist between the parishes in this deanery Having only been in the Diocese 2 years, I have been impressed by the openness and friendliness of the church. There is a togetherness, which is very prevalent. I hope that this does not change when the Diocese becomes larger Unity our Deanery parishes work well together, have a united front and over and across the area many different styles of tradition, yet there is no competition or conflict Unity in love, friendship and fellowship with all, through the love of Christ I really enjoy the way in which all the parishes in the Deanery get together to share their experiences and ideas. The family of Churches works well and we call feel we can turn to one another for help and advice Sharing of stories, ideas and good practice We love one another! We a wide variety of parishes from very rural to town and each parishes needs are considered and catered for The special wide, diverse and rural nature of the whole area Support for rural parishes given by larger churches in the Deanery/Diocese The mixture of rural parishes with those on the edge of West Riding conurbation Feeling of unity with rural parishes, especially in the north

3 Page 3 of 14 Close knit Deanery especially through bell ringing Fellowship Frequent gathering together of representatives from all the parishes The closeness of the Diocese long term friends For there to be regular Deanery Synod meetings Regular Deanery Synod meetings Regular Deanery meetings to share news with each other and to get to know one another and offer support Deanery Synod trips into other areas to see their needs and how they respond to them Friendships at Synod and contact with people from other parishes Continuation of women clergy Women s ordained ministry The role of women s ministry in this deanery The ministry of women in this church and the Diocese as a whole Women s ordained ministry is flourishing in this Deanery (Harrogate) How women s ordained ministry has flourished It s commitment to supporting women in episcopate The way ordained women have been welcomed and affirmed in their ministry Contribution of lay readers The way readers and other lay people are encouraged in their ministry The close relationship at parish level with the Bishops Knowing clergy and parishioners of other parishes in the Deanery The close links between clergy The genuine sense of fellowship with the Bishop Contact with our Bishop at parish level Bishop John: he has been an inspiration, a voice and ambassador for the poor, asylum seekers, for all those living on the edge. I would have loved him to follow into the new Diocese, driving forth justice for the poor. Approachable, supportive, accessible, non hierarchal Bishops and Archdeacons The approachability of our Bishops, their interaction with the individual parishes The frequent presence of the Bishop in local parishes Frequent opportunities to meet Diocesan staff (lay and ordained) and get to know who can assist with parish or local problems including fund raising/grants Something on the links of DCM Joining together for fellowship as clergy as well as quiet days, chapter residentials as well as business and development in our meetings Joint training with both clergy and lay Good training programme for clergy and readers Big celebrations as a deanery The prayerful attitude towards mission that the Diocese holds and generates The Deanery Synod rotates around the area which is good but tends to concentrate on fringe issues which is bad Reduce the share by reducing the diocesan expenditure. I was recently at a parish in

4 Page 4 of 14 Australia with a congregation of 150, their share was less than ours with a congregation of 14 A share system that is regarded as fair Meeting other people from other churches in informal situations and learning from them Visiting churches from neighbouring Diocese and learning about their parishes The sharing of stories from with i.e. success on mission for example in an informal setting Willingness of people to travel across the Deanery/Diocese The cohesiveness of our Benefice of Walkingham Hill within the Diocese Good local knowledge shared between clergy and lay people Friendship Willingness to share experience and skills with each other e.g. readers, lay people and ordained Its strong sense of history Open the Book The independence of small rural parishes My parish is currently in the Otley Deanery. We cherish the children s work being carried out and wish it to continue Visiting different Deaneries/Institutions (can do more) Uniquely placed to spend money (if we can be challenged to be generous) Mission Sunday celebrate the work of mission partners abroad Helping the homeless The loving care we show to the poor and desolate, especially the homeless Work with the homeless Combating loneliness all ages Real welcome to strangers Helping the homeless and asylum seekers Christians persecuted both here and abroad/encouraging the work done at parish level to help and support those in great difficulty or suffering disadvantage much practical help has been given this needs to continue. Local links need to be cherishes so that support from non church sources continues Spiritual care for church members on a one to one basis Its rural character questions of farming/agriculture in context Our link with church of Ceylon through schools (St Aidan s especially) and churches A sense of stability Outreach into the community opening church doors to everyone, not just regular services Welcoming young people have active Sunday schools, toddler and youth groups, extend admission of baptised children into the community Maintain the working together among Christian faiths Involvement with work amongst different areas (lay, urban problems, rural problems, education) throughout diocese Filling clergy vacancies as quickly as possible Very good clergy housing support Fresh Expressions Officer and MSI and MSM courses Encouragement for Fresh Expressions

5 Page 5 of 14 Support for Fresh Expressions The commitment to Fresh Expressions. I am very much looking forward to Harrogate Churches day out There is a Fresh Expressions Officer. Could there be a team who are resourced as well? Continued development of Mission Resourcing Team Good chapter meetings Our Clergy Chapter seems to work really well as a place where clergy can support one another and have a sense of collegiality Diocesan rural strategy Scargill House Comfortable with working with individual churches Relaxed attitude towards not wearing vestments etc. Unity always being around mission initiatives It s an area with people from across the Deanery involved in many local mission initiatives There is good liaison between parish and community and civic liaisons We encourage a variety of styles of church, including Fresh Expressions Rolling multi-style services in each church throughout the week Positive engagement with the Methodist Church. We are known in the Methodist Church as a Diocese that is leading the C of E in terms of ecumenical partnership Generous giving our Deanery is generous and facilitates a lot of work in the parishes, in the Diocese and worldwide Great witness Lots of expressions in the Kingdom to celebrate and move forward on The diversity of our parishes and the different strategies they use to create good communication Meeting of new and like minded people City/town centre ministry The concept of great church It s location makes it special, unique I am the safeguarding Officer for our parish and have had very good support from the Leeds office and team there Sue Booth and Chloe Drummond. I feel they know who I am The long, long history of the Christian faith and witness at Ripon Cathedral, affirming the congregation of the Saints a place of pilgrimage for us in the deanery Visits to Diocesan offices, hospice, rural parishes and other churches/venues New ideas for churches and schools from speakers and visits Lay conferences The St Wilfred lectures in Ripon Joint clergy/readers events Using Cathedral for secular events such as Christmas Market etc Difference between town/rural churches There is one Bishop s Mission Officer in the current Diocese will there be more in the future? Extension of things for the young and old members Relationship between vicar and congregation Visiting preachers from neighbouring Dioceses into our church

6 Page 6 of 14 Enjoying listening to clergy from other areas on Thought for the day on BBC4 Just moved into Deanery from Otley. Good welcome from the Chapter collegiality Our relationship with other Christian groups in the area and organising events at which we can meet non-worshipping people From the Diocese of Bradford of which I have been part of for 1 year only, I would like to see replicated in the new Diocese the caring and supportive and encouraging attitude given to new clergy and spouses that we received

7 Page 7 of 14 Question 2: What should be the key issues that the new Diocese should make a priority that would enhance the Mission of the Church in the parishes of this deanery? Key themes: Communication Twinning Buildings Radical Thinking Finances and Share Fresh Expressions Evangelism and Outreach Training and Supporting Laity Ecumenical Social Justice Children and Young People (families and schools) Clergy Structures and Admin Misc Communication Celebrate success and good stories increase press activity TV and papers Good communication and understanding between the northern rural area and southern inner city areas Opportunity to cross boundaries and experience diverse subcultures Talk about Jesus Getting to know one another and learn from one another in very different contexts Create opportunities for sharing problems across parishes. The clergy know about this! Communication Training and Supporting Laity Lay development Parish/Benefice/deanery PCC admin support Administrative support for parishes from Deanery Training, lay leadership Recognising, commissioning, training, empowering lay leaders (laity) Encouraging more ordained lay ministry Enabling lay leadership/teams and supporting that Equipping lay people for ministry Finding a good relationship between clergy and congregations, and the role of the ordained priest in order to achieve the mission of the church in areas of large population or large sparsely populated areas Vicars should be allowed to concentrate on their parishes with fewer secondary duties Training, empowering, realise permission giving of the lay lay

8 Page 8 of 14 Twinning More sharing of clergy/services Twinning between different areas of the new Diocese Parish twinning rural/urban Understanding and love for people in different areas and their problems Togetherness single voice from all 5 Dioceses Uniquely different and together in unity Buildings Toilets in every church Ecumenical Our relationship with other Christian groups in the area Working ecumenically Parish training rural with inner city Development and encouragement of strategic partnerships with other Christian groups, including new churches Vicar should make a point of visiting every church member in his/her home. Elderly and disabled to be cared for Town pastors Increased interest in being missional (individual group, whole church) Social Justice Support for older people, especially for those in care homes etc Engaging with local communities Outreach, prisoners Ministry to the elderly Minister to the poor and needy Combating loneliness in all areas Pastoral care Pastoral care including to geriatrics if not available to visit (themselves) please could they go initially and so introduce a member of the non clergy pastoral care team Looking out and after those on the edge Disability, special needs better access and resources Making sense of the title of this new conglomeration Making sure everyone from Durham to Barnsley knows about the new entity Acquiring a skilled, God fearing and experienced media person to make the whole area aware of the new Diocese Making every effort to avoid a fracture roughly along the line of the A59 Deprivation in society (homelessness, social issues) Ministry to the lonely young and old Rural ministry Generational ministry Prisoners and ex offenders People in hardship poverty, squeezed middle, house prices, homelessness

9 Page 9 of 14 Radical Thinking Be courageous to do things and think differently Finances/Share Keeping costs down Parish share is taking up massive amounts of income Publicity about how Anglican churches are funded. Folks think it is the state Right people for right skills not wasting money A realistic share A wider discussion about share and what is fair and what motivates Don t waste money Keeping Diocesan structure as slim as possible so resources are dedicated to mission Children and Young people (families and schools) Outreach to families Support and presence in schools Expansion of secondary church schools Ministry to young adult Children and young people Engaging with/involving the year old group the emerging generation Pioneer youth leaders Support for work with families and young people Children Making real impact on children and youth leading, support, prayer. Children and young people Schools not just church schools Schools Children how do we help them understand church? Opportunity for young people to meet with others from diverse areas. Ministries to young families and youth Generational ministry Child and young persons education and welfare. More overtly family friendly services Build up the congregation s particular emphasis on attracting ages Education schools Young families Youth and children Children and youth Clergy Bishops and Archdeacons having a presence at grass roots Communications Pastoral visiting Persevere apostolic priesthood Continue to offer traditional worship Use this opportunity to look forward. Don t be looking back and apologising. We should have learnt from our mistakes! Don t forget the curates (They are the vicars of tomorrow)

10 Page 10 of 14 Fresh Expressions Evangelical and Outreach Organising events to which non-church people in the area are attracted Take opportunities for mission when given them by God Helping very small churches to grow don t close them down Churches with multiple congregations it is so exciting and it works! They do grow! If you want to do MAP, commit the whole Diocese to doing it wholeheartedly Outreach Evangelism Church growth Church being relevant to life in 21 st century Enable church to be mission focused church growth Break down what mission means. Highlighting evangelism, discipling The mission of Fresh expressions to become the DNA of missional thinking in every church Can we take the church out of church as it were so much sport on Sunday Modernised churches e.g. warmth, toilets to make more welcoming Evangelism/Fresh Expressions Inclusive not just aiming at church congregation Fresh expressions Misc. Defend central role of Church of England Structures and Admin Reduce the paperwork for the laity, they are volunteers. Reduce the church bureaucracy and concentrate on the parishes Administrative support from deanery to parishes Slim central admin

11 Page 11 of 14 Question 3: How can the new Diocese best support this Deanery and its parishes in ways that will enhance the work of the Church locally in growing disciples and being a Christian presence in every community? General Comments/Themes: Reduction of/fairer Parish Share Clear and inspirational vision Support Fresh Expressions Support for Parish: Providing information to support new initiatives (worship, eco etc) Resources to equip mission opportunities For each parish s share cover a sustainable and conceptual amount Reduce share Fairer system for Share, also acknowledging burden of buildings Fairer Enable Bishops to be on the ground VISION common, simple, strategic owned by everyone Clear vision to promote unity An inspirational vision from the top for the whole Diocese Inspiring new vocations to church and lay ministry Continue CMD so that we can continue to grow Workshops etc Clearer understanding and development of different reader/lay ministry roles and redeployment where applicable Challenge us to generosity Meeting rooms Toilets/How to access different styles of service Emphasise that the primary role of the clergy is to spread the Gospel rather than sit on committees Respect traditional services and not make changes for change sake Innovative support for lay leaders Simple system of helping people into discernment for ordained ministry Prayer not to be swallowed into large group More effective publicity for training opportunities local or away Greater use of skills and expertise across parishes Having expertise and advice relating to parish opportunities and challenges Helping parishes share expertise and best practice Communications Rigorous selection and recruitment of priests and attract the best priests. We feel this is patchy at the moment

12 Page 12 of 14 Clear direction about money matters allied to transparency or financial affairs Motivation and leadership More support for Eucharist services in a multi parish Benefice Lay training (note just readers and clergy) Visiting clergy to preach at main Sunday services Mission for children and young people Fresh Expression Fresh Expressions need support Resources for children s work Admin support Understanding of multi worship centre parishes Sharing resources and sharing good practice Less legalism make us more accessible to our communities Not in a parish, in a BMO continued support form the Diocese (practical) Financial support Support for Deanery: Opportunities for sharing information across the Deanery Opportunities to meet with other Deaneries Linking Deaneries not just parishes with those with very different locations Anticipate future consolidate proactively rather than reactively bite the bullets Local training Training and events to come together i.e. youth and children s workers to get together and share experiences and issues Bishops leading in mission Opportunity for discussion on wider issues e.g. environment, ecology, economy, social justice, cross cultural Christians for example Diocese wide education and information campaign to let people know how the church is funded. Too many misconceptions abound. Use media and social media to inform Reduce committees Access to training in gifted people to help train in various areas Support for the spiritual well being of the clergy Help enable mission focused church Give us good priests work to find vocation Moral and practical lobbying in moral issues e.g. via the House of Lords Understanding of problems of rural churches multi-church parishes We need to make connections and highlight what s going on and relevance Greater sense of vision for the area

13 Page 13 of 14 What one thing do you want us to take forward from this meeting? Please consider the support needed for multi parish rural benefices Organising events which we meet non-church people which also have an opportunity to speak about our faith God s will is done That we don t lose the community spirit we had in the smaller Diocese Too many church buildings that all need support with the financial situation that is not robust enough for all their needs Release more missional disciples Be always conscious of the vibrant changing ways of the Holy Spirit to recreate Church To have the opportunity to meet/learn about/communicate with those from different areas and reach out to everyone Following Jesus not buildings or structures. Everyone in Diocesan office clearly and explicitly doing this Frequent gathering together of representatives from all the parishes. Don t forget the Dales Bring more people to Christ Ways of bringing more people of all ages into the Church family Everything underpinned by prayer Please help us to bring God into the lives of all those people who have never known Him or forgotten Him or rejected Him Christian leadership Communication. Communication, communication That we listen to and hear the voices of those on the edge and that we act and do what we can to alleviate their struggles/suffering and show them God s love Support the suffering church by word and deed Make Christian viewpoint loudly and continually public Everyone is valued from greatest to least especially the marginalised Set the whole of the Diocese ablaze for Christ (Being as it s a fairly central position). Pray that it will spread throughout the country Working together for the future of the church and its growth The appointment of a woman as an Area Bishop in the new Diocese, even if it means delaying an appointment until after November Be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you. Build and plant for the future Please come and see us frequently when you can We should be leading the way in both local and global justice, fair wages and the care of the environment. Churches should be exemplary communities, not just like everyone else Please encourage evangelism across all generations Communicate effectively across the Diocese and all areas Keep talking about Jesus In the leadership of the Diocese, can each of the fivefold ministries be expressed especially apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic

14 Page 14 of 14 Enhance the Mission Resources Team to enable mission in the Diocese by the lay Shape us around evangelism all church growth Let the new Diocese live it s commitment to justice explicitly by waiting until women are able to become Bishops so that the best appointment can be made to our two vacant Episcopal area positions Share problems, resources, decision making openly to enhance trust and effectiveness Increase number of people worshipping and praying together Keep your feet on the floor and please keep things real! Prayerfully To spread the Christian word across a wide an area as possible, with a single coherent vision enabling equal opportunities for all churches within the area My one personal thing is a clearer understanding within clergy congregation of the lay reader/licenses minister role. So different between Leeds and Harrogate it seems? By the vicar/team leader direct communication with each church member instead of just Hello how are you? on a Sunday morning/evening Dear Nick challenge us to be more Christ like, to seek the infilling wisdom of the Holy Spirit and to earnestly seek after the Father. God bless you To galvanise the Christian churches in the Diocese into love and support for all in need creatively Try harder with children and young people s work Reduce church bureaucracy Respect the traditional value of rural worship and its strong connection with the farming community Bring our values to share with each other, as one Diocese please We need decent buildings to worship in. Old churches are important but impractical for modern life we need toilets in order to ensure our churches can be used efficiently Let the vicars do more to grow the congregation, their diaries always seem full but I don t know what with. We only ever see them in church This is a wonderful opportunity from the God of new beginnings. Lets pray for this new Diocese, the new beginning in which we can work together, ordained, licensed and lay to further God s wisdom, Blessings Communicate well about everything To help, enable, train, empower lay leadership in a different way to be proactive The church to be seen as Good news reaching out to the communities of our world To encourage and support children s ministry in the Diocese Preserve traditional priesthood and worship Please help small rural village churches to have the resources to be inclusive with the parish population elderly, young, sick, bereaved, newly married