Diocese of Southwark Deanery Synod Induction Pack
Welcome to the Deanery Synod In this pack you will find: An introduction to the Deanery Synod and Key Contacts A map of the Diocese of Southwark The Functions of the Deanery Synod Communication: ways to keep in touch Vision for Deaneries Diocesan paper A checklist for Synod members The Deanery Terms of Reference What do I bring to the Synod? A map of the parishes in Merton Deanery Please ask if there is any more information that would help you to take part more effectively.
MERTON DEANERY SYNOD The Merton Deanery consists of the parishes shown on the accompanying map (see final page). During the course of the three-year life cycle of the Synod we try to visit as many different host parishes as possible, as well as supporting the Church Schools within the Deanery. The Area Dean is always an incumbent from one of the parishes, and is currently the Revd. Leslie Wells from St. George, Morden Team Ministry. The Lay Chair is elected by lay members of the Synod, and is currently Martin Roberts from The Ascension, Pollards Hill. All of the incumbents of the Anglican churches in the deanery are members of Synod. In addition, each church elects lay representatives. Members of Deanery Synod must be on the electoral roll of their own church, and are automatically members of their church PCC. The Deanery also has elected representatives who sit on the Diocesan Synod. This in turn elects representatives to the General Synod. Representatives of both the General and Diocesan Synods are automatically members of the Deanery Synod. Key contacts: Officers: Revd Leslie Wells (Area Dean) Martin Roberts (Lay Chair) Sally Bisson (Deanery Administrator) John Barrow (Treasurer) 020 8715 1084 leswells80@hotmail.com 020 8764 6423 martinjfroberts@gmail.com 020 8542 0609 Bissonsally@aol.com 020 8540 1733 john.barrow.westway@gmail.com Standing Committee (2014-17) CLERGY (3) LAY (3) Revd Rachel Taylor Martin Osborn Revd Joabe Cavalcanti Neville Squires Revd David Ruddick Susan Gould Revd Jenny Thomas (Assistant Area Dean) Revd Bruce Rickards (Assistant Area Dean) Diocesan Synod Representatives (2015-18)): CLERGY (5) LAY (7) Revd Clive Gardner Revd Helen Orchard Revd Chris Palmer Revd Richard Dryer one vacany Linda Maurice Stuart Sleeman Liz Holder Martin Osborn Susan Shriver two vacancies
General Synod Representatives (2015-20): ** Brian Wilson ** Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Working Group Representatives (AMPWG): Revd Leslie Wells Revd David Ruddick Martin Roberts
The Functions of the Deanery Synod The five functions of the Synod are set out in the Synodical Government Measure 1969. A Measure is equivalent to an Act of Parliament. 1. To consider matters concerning the Church of England and the making of provision for such matters in relation to the Deanery, and the consideration and expression of the Synod s opinion on any other matters of religious or public interest. 2. To bring together the views of the parishes of the deanery on common problems, the discussion and formulation of common policies on those problems, the fostering of a sense of community and interdependence among the parishes, and generally the promotion in the deanery of the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. 3. To make known and so far as appropriate put into effect any provision made by the Diocesan Synod. 4. To consider the business of Diocesan Synod, and particularly any matters referred to that synod by General Synod, and to sound parochial opinion whenever the Deanery Synod is required or considers it appropriate to do so. 5. To raise such matters as the Deanery Synod considers appropriate with the Diocesan Synod.
Communication: ways to keep in touch From the Synod to the Parish Church: Regular reporting slot on every PCC Minutes of Synod meetings on the church notice board Announcements in church and on pew sheets of deanery events Making the congregation aware of which Deanery they are part of, and who are their representatives From the Parish Church to the Synod: Elections every three years from the APCM Putting on the Synod agenda matters raised at PCC meetings of Deanery significance Between the Synod and the Episcopal Area: Attendance of the Area Dean and Lay Chair at Area Forum meetings Contributing the views and issues of the deanery through the Forum Taking back to Synod information about Area events and concerns Inviting members of the Area Team to meetings as appropriate, and ensuring their roles are known Encouraging parishes to use the Resource Exchange and attend Area events and training opportunities Between Diocesan and General Synod and Deanery Synod: Election of Deanery representatives, and their attendance at Diocesan Synod Membership of Deanery Synod representatives on Diocesan Boards and reporting and raising of issues both ways Keeping in touch with General Synod discussions and reports, and ensuring these are discussed at deanery level, and responses are made as required. Considering ways of making the Deanery more effective as guided by the Strategy for Mission document, and the desire to make it a viable centre for Mission and Ministry (please see following page)
VISION FOR DEANERIES - TO BECOME VIABLE CENTRES OF MISSION & MINISTRY PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL Strategy for Ministry 2 challenges us to ensure that deaneries become viable centres of mission and ministry. Deaneries are geographical groups of parish congregations who work in partnership with each other to celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ and to share the Gospel with all people. Deaneries are places where Anglican Christians relate to each other; pray and worship with each other; meet and decide with each other; and work, serve and witness with each other. Working collaboratively within the structures of the Diocese as well as with Church Schools, other chaplaincies, mission agencies and ecumenical partners, Deaneries will: 1. actively promote the growth of the Church: in overall numbers attending, in the number of congregations and fresh expressions, in the depth of discipleship and the equipping and releasing of lay people for mission; in the growth of vocations to ordained, licensed and authorised ministries, and in the expansion in the range of lay ministries 2. encourage churches to reflect in their leadership and culture the diversity of the deanery, including ethnicity, age, socio-economic circumstances and tradition 3. support parishes holding each other to account to become transparent, accountable, generous and robust in pledges and contributions for the Parish Support Fund 4. encourage and challenge one another in the development and continuing implementation of Mission Action Plans and the use of Diocesan mission statistics 5. develop collaborative working for mission and ministry purposes amongst ordained, licensed and authorised ministers 6. provide regular, vibrant and engaging opportunities for meeting, prayer, dialogue and training across church traditions, including Synods 7. be creative, imaginative, risk-taking and strategic in making recommendations for deployment, including Deanery-wide or cross parish appointments, through their Deanery Mission and Pastoral Working Groups (DMPWGs) 8. be one of the key communication hubs within the Diocese. Deaneries Advisory Group, December 2016.
A checklist for Synod members At the first meeting of a new Synod, or when new members come on board, you may find it helpful to check out what you know or what you need to find out about your responsibilities as members, and how the Synod is organised. Organisation Know Find Out Who takes the chair? Who takes the minutes? How often do meetings take place? Where? How long? Who do you tell if you cannot attend? How is the agenda set? How do you get an item put on the agenda? When and how are minutes sent out? When are papers for the next meeting sent out? How are decisions made? Background information Have you got a list of members names and addresses? Have you got a copy of the minutes of the last meeting? Whom do you ask if you need to know anything? Your responsibilities How do you take matters from your PCC to Synod? How do you report from Synod to your PCC? Do you know who you are representing? (yourself, church, constituency?) This year s work Are there goals and priorities already set for this year? Do you know what issues may be discussed? What other things does the Synod do? Is there a set budget? How will the work of the Synod be reviewed? How will future plans and items be decided?
MERTON DEANERY SYNOD TERMS OF REFERENCE I. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Deanery Synod exists: 1. To foster partnership in mission between: the parishes; schools; chapels; chaplaincies in key church and secular bodies; and other Church of England institutions within the Deanery. 2. To encourage sharing, pastoral care, prayer and joint activity between the parishes in the Deanery particularly over key issues like mission planning, pastoral reorganisation, interregna, significant changes and major events. 3. To debate and take united action on issues of concern to the Deanery including: working with the Bishops, Archdeacon, the Cathedral & staff of Church House; inter-church relations; mission and engagement with key secular institutions in the Deanery notably those with appointed chaplains. 4. To receive reports on and share Deanery concerns with representatives serving on General Synod, Diocesan Synod and major Diocesan Committees and other bodies to which the Deanery may decide to affiliate. 5. To study, debate and submit responses to the Diocesan Synod and General Synod on matters that have been referred to Deaneries and to submit comments within agreed timescales. 6. To elect officers of the Synod and to elect/appoint representatives to serve on diocesan bodies and other bodies where appropriate. 7. To oversee the finances of the Synod and to manage any projects/initiatives that the Deanery may establish. 8. To act on behalf of the Diocesan Synod or the Diocesan Board of Finance on any matters delegated to it and to report back in ways that shall be determined.
II. THE HOUSES OF THE DEANERY SYNOD 1. There shall be two Houses namely the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. 2. The House of Clergy shall be chaired by the Area Dean (who is appointed by the Bishop of Southwark following consultation with the clergy and lay people in the Deanery). 3. The House of Laity shall be chaired by a layperson (who shall be a communicant member on the electoral roll of a parish or institution within the Deanery who shall be over eighteen years of age and shall be elected by the lay members of the Deanery Synod). This person may be elected from current members of the Synod or first co-opted for the purpose. 4. The two Houses may meet separately at the request of the Chair or of three members of either House. Such meetings may be held within the context of a Deanery Synod meeting with the agreement of both the Chairs. 5. The Clergy of the Deanery also meet as a Chapter. However where such Chapter meetings are designated to be formal meetings of the House of Clergy this must be clearly notified in writing (at least seven days notice must be given of such a meeting). 6. While lay ministers (stipendiary readers, Church Army officers and others) may be invited to Chapter meetings they are voting members of the House of Laity. 7. Where Houses meet separately the Chair will determine whether they invite observers or hold open meetings. 8. Where a causal vacancy occurs among the Deanery s representatives on Diocesan Synod then a meeting of the relevant House shall be held to elect a new member(s) to Diocesan Synod.
III. MEMBERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF LAITY The membership of the House of Laity shall comprise communicant members over eighteen years of age who shall be appointed from the following: 1. Parochial Representatives: Each parish shall elect its lay representatives by annual meetings for a period of three years. The numbers to be so elected from the parishes shall be determined by resolution of the Diocesan Synod according to Rule 25 of the Revised Synodical Government Measure, and related to the number of names on the electoral rolls of the certified parishes. Where there is a Team ministry then each constituent church shall appoint one representative. Additional representatives may only be appointed from a Team Ministry if the total number on the electoral rolls of all the constituent churches of the Team justifies it. 2. Institutional Representatives: Any institution which has a priest acting as Chaplain who is licensed by the Bishop may appoint one lay representative. 3. Ex Officio: Members of the General Synod and Diocesan Synod who worship in the Deanery. 4. Lay Ministers: Stipendiary readers, Church Army Officers and other lay people holding the Bishop s licence to work in the Deanery or who hold a Diocesan or Bishop s licence to serve on Deanery Synod. 5. Co-opted Members*: The House of Laity may co-opt up to three members who shall be full members of the Synod except that they are unable to vote in elections to Diocesan or General Synods. (In choosing co-optees the House may wish to consider individuals with particular expertise or to give a certain group a voice in Deanery Business.)
IV. MEMBERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF CLERGY The membership of the House of Clergy shall comprise: 1. Parochial Representatives: All the clergy working in parishes that hold a licence including those of incumbent status, and others who are stipendiary, non stipendiary or ordained local ministers whether priests or deacons. 2. Institutional Representatives: Any deacon or priest who has the Bishop s licence to work in an institution in the Deanery and is appointed to the Synod by the Bishop. A list of such clergy shall be kept up to date by the Diocesan Synod Office and the Clergy members of Bishop s Council. It will include Chaplains to hospitals, prisons, educational institutions and other major bodies. 3. Ex Officio: Members of General Synod & Diocesan Synod who worship in the Deanery. 4. Retired Clergy: Clergy elected to serve from and by the retired clergy who reside or worship and who do not hold a licence in the Deanery. There shall be one representative elected (or appointed by the Area Dean where no nominations are received) for every ten retired clergy or part thereof. 5. Nominated Members: Other clergy holding the Bishop s Licence who are nominated by the Bishop which could include clergy with Diocesan or inter-deanery appointments that live or work for substantial parts of their ministry in the Deanery (provided that no clergy in this category can be nominated to more than one Deanery Synod). 6. Co-opted Members*: The House of Clergy may co-opt up to three clergy who shall be full members of the Synod save that they are unable to vote in elections to the Diocesan Synod or the General Synod but are entitled to stand in such elections. (Such co-options could include retired clergy, clergy who live but do not work in the Deanery, and clergy with permission to officiate who are not retired). * Co-opted members may be a member of another Deanery Synod.
V. OBSERVERS 1. The Synod may decide to invite any other individual to serve as an observer on either a temporary or permanent basis. This could include: a. all church wardens and readers in addition to those elected; b. retired clergy in addition to those elected; c. priests, ministers or lay people from other Christian denominations who worship at Local Ecumenical Projects which include the Church of England; d. representatives from significant denominational or inter-church bodies that cover all or substantial parts of the Deanery; (this could include Roman Catholic Deaneries, Methodist Circuits, United Reformed Church Districts or Churches Together. e. Representatives from church secondary schools or church tertiary education institutes and key representatives from statutory or community bodies. f. Young people under 18 2. There may be certain of the above categories where an individual who is a communicant member of the Church of England and over 18 years of age might appropriately be considered for co-option. A decision to co-opt would rest with the relevant House not with the whole Synod.
VI. MEETINGS 1. The Synod shall meet at least three times each year. 2. Wherever possible dates for the year shall be fixed at the last meeting of the previous year. 3. If dates are not arranged for the year ahead then members should have one month s notice of any meeting of the Deanery Synod except in emergencies. 4. All minutes, agendas and papers should be dispatched at least seven days before a meeting. 5. The Quorum shall be one third of the members of each House including co-opted members. Members may not appoint alternates if they are unable to attend. 6. Meetings should last for up to two hours (excluding any break for refreshment). If there is important business still to transact at the end of the two hour period then the Chair may propose an extension of not more than twenty minutes which must be approved by the majority of members present and voting. The Chair shall then prioritise business that must be dealt with. 7. Emergency meetings may be called at the request of the Area Dean, the Lay Chair or six members of the Deanery Synod (including at least two members from each House). Emergency meetings shall require seven days notice. 8. At one designated meeting a year a financial report shall be approved and the Standing Committee shall give a report verbally or in writing. 9. The separate Houses shall meet when required to elect/appoint representatives and in other instances if convened by the Chair or at the request of three members. 10. The Synod may designate all or some of its meetings to be open. The Chair shall decide whether those attending such meetings shall be allowed to speak. 11.Votes in the Synod shall require a simple majority of those present and voting. If necessary then the Chair may have a second or casting vote.
12.On an instruction from the Diocesan Synod, the General Synod or where nominations are required from a specific House then there shall be a vote by Houses. 13. If voting is required in an election then the simple majority method shall be used. VII. OFFICERS 1. The Officers shall comprise the following: a) The Area Dean who shall be a Co Chair of the Deanery Synod b) The Lay Chair, elected by the Synod, who shall be a Co Chair of the Deanery Synod c) A Deanery Administrator appointed by the Area Dean d) An Honorary Treasurer elected by the Synod e) The Assistant Area Deans, who shall serve as Vice Chairs of the Synod & the House of Clergy f) Lay members of the Standing Committee, who shall serve as a Vice Chair of the Synod & the House of Laity 2. Where Officers are elected rather than appointed this shall normally be held at the first meeting of each Triennium. VIII. DEANERY FINANCES 1. Merton Deanery employs a part-time administrator who assists the Area Dean in his/ her duties in administering the Deanery and Clergy Chapter meetings. The costs of administration, which include the administrator s salary, telephone, postage, stationery and the Area Deans expenses, are recovered from the PCC s within the Deanery; no financial assistance is received from the Diocese. The Standing Committee oversees the expenses of the Deanery Synod, and an annual report on the income and expenditure is prepared, independently examined and presented to the Synod.
IX. LINKS WITH GENERAL SYNOD 1. Where no member elected by or appointed from within the Diocese is resident or worships in the Deanery then one of the Diocesan representatives shall be nominated to act as a link with the Deanery and report on the work of General Synod. 2. The person who is nominated may be appointed as an observer to the Synod should the Synod so decide or made a co-opted member of the Synod by the relevant House should that House so decide. 3. Each Deanery Synod should normally have a report from the General Synod at each of its meetings. This could be a report on the last meeting(s) or an outline of the agenda and key items for a future meeting. X. STANDING COMMITTEE 1. The Officers and other members as the Synod determines (normally equal additional members from both the Houses) shall comprise a Standing Committee. Standing Committee members shall be elected at the first meeting of each Triennium. 2. The Standing Committee shall prepare the Synod agendas, keep under-review major issues of concern in the Deanery (to which end the Standing Committee will also constitute the Deanery Mission & Pastoral Working Group [DMPWG]), produce an annual report and deal with any emergency items between meetings. 3. The Standing Committee shall enable representatives of the Deanery on General Synod, Diocesan Synod & other key bodies to report (verbally or in writing). 4. The Standing Committee shall monitor attendance by Deanery representatives on Diocesan Synod and key Committees and report on this to Deanery Synod. 5. The Secretary of the Standing Committee shall be the Deanery Administrator. 6. The Standing Committee shall meet at least three times each year but may wish to conduct some of its business by letter or email.
XI AMENDMENTS 1. The Standing Committee shall review these Standing Orders once every three years and shall invite comments from all members of Synod on amendments or additions that should be made. XII. NOTE ON PHRASEOLOGY These Terms of Reference have been written to minimise bureaucracy but aim for clarity. In many instances the words normally, could or may are used and comments added in brackets; this aims to indicate that discretion on how to proceed rests with the Deanery Synod. What do I bring to the Synod? All members have a part to play and different gifts, abilities and experiences to contribute to the activities of the Deanery. The Synod will work at its best and encourage everyone s participation if these are shared! Ability What can I do? Experience What have I done? Knowledge What do I know about? Passion What do I care about? Representation Which groups do I speak for? (e.g. particular church, parish, needs, minority view, culture?)