ycombe Deanery Living Faith Plan 2009
Introduction: Vision, Values and Purpose of the Diocese of Oxford Vision: The transformation of all human life under God. Values - Contemplative: attentive to God - Creative: imaginatively releasing and harnessing all the gifts of all God s people - Continuous: rooted in scripture, faithful to the traditions we have received and seeking to give them fresh expression - Accountable: to God and to each other as we build for tomorrow as well as today Purpose: To join with God in creating a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the diocese of Oxford, enabling every Christian and every Christian community to live and share the love of God, seen in the life of Jesus Christ. In 2008 +John Oxon presented a five year strategic plan for the Diocese; in his paper on the Diocesan Vision he recognised that: top-down strategies are sometimes helpful but are often self-defeating because energy resides at local level,...what senior [Diocesan] leadership can offer, however, is a dynamic framework, not to control but to guide, release and encourage. this view can equally be applied to how ycombe Deanery works with its Parishes. The paper goes onto say the Diocesan plan shouldn't cut across local planning but rather act as a supportive framework for it. It's rather like a palette of colours which each can use in their own way to create that work of distinctive beauty which is their particular response to God's mission. The ycombe Deanery plan recognises this, aims to provide a framework for Deanery activities, focusing in this plan on activities best undertaken or lead at a Deanery level. e acknowledge the mission work carried out locally in Parishes across the Deanery, this plan will not duplicate this work but aims to deliver support for this mission from appropriate Deanery initiatives and resources. The majority of the activities in this plan are (a) managed locally by the Deanery, (b) some operate at Diocesan level but are essential to the plan and (c) a few are delivered by external groups and are supported by the Deanery with funds and prayer if they did not exist the Deanery would consider providing something in this area. The three types of activity are identified with the following symbols: Deanery Activities Diocesan Activities External Activities Financial support is derived by careful oversight of share payments from the Parishes across the year working closely with PCC Treasurers and can provide a rebate of up to 3% of the share ( 34K in 2009). Some of the rebate obtained in previous years is held back to provide a cash-flow cover to ensure the rebate is obtained. This plan was created in early 2009; it will be reviewed and updated annually by the Mission Committee at their spring meeting. 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010
Background: ycombe Deanery is a mixed Urban and Rural Deanery with distinctive areas: 11c 11d 13a 12b 13b 1d 12a 1e 11b 11a 7f 7e 7d 10 7a 8 9 7b 7c 6 1b 2 5 4 1a 1c 3a 3b Thematic map of IMD 2004 LSOA with deanery and parish boundaries. Digital map from Dotted Eyes Crown Copyright Church Commissioners Licence No: 100019918 (2009) Map of ycombe Deanery showing 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation (a higher index indicates greater deprivation) 1 Hambleden Valley Group Ministry 5 Flackwell Heath est ycombe with Bledlow Ridge, 1a Fawley 6 - Loudwater Bradenham and Radnage 1b Hambleden with Frieth 11a est ycombe 1c Medmenham High ycombe Team Ministry 11b - Bradenham 1d Fingest 7a High ycombe All Saints 11c Bledow Ridge 1e Turville 7b Hatters Lane, St Andrews 11d Radnage 7c ycombe Marsh, St Anne & St Peter 2 Marlow Team Ministry 7d St Birinus & St John Lane End with Cadmore End Great Marlow with Marlow Bottom, 7e Sands, St Mary & St George 12a Lane End Little Marlow & Bisham 7f Downley, St James 12b Cadmore End Hedsor with Bourne End 8 Terriers Stokenchurch with Ibstone 3a Bourne End 9 Hazlemere 13a - Stokenchurch 3b Hedsor 10 Hughenden 13b Ibstone 4 ooburn Facts and Figures The Deanery supports 21 Stipendiary Ministers with two training curates, 15 Associate Ministers and 21 Licensed Lay Ministers Average weekly attendance across the Deanery in 2007 was 2,445 The Deanery Electoral Roll (ER) in 2008 was 3,558 o Based on Electoral Roll the largest Parishes are Marlow Team and Hazlemere with an ER over 400 o Parishes with an ER between 200 and 300 are Hambleden Valley; Loudwater; High ycombe: St Birinus & St John, All Saints and Hatters Lane and Hughenden o Those with less than 50 on the ER are Bradenham, Ibstone, Bledlow Ridge, Hedsor and Cadmore End. Parish Share payment in 2009 across the Deanery is 1,134,459 1 This map includes Tylers Green which was part of the Deanery in 2004 when the deprivation mapping was provided, it has now moved out of the Deanery 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010
Sustaining the sacred centre: This is about encouraging and enabling clergy and lay people to deepen their enjoyment of God, and to recognize God's presence in everyday life. Lay leaders network Area Dean Three sessions a year sponsored by deanery starting in 2009, including open Deanery meetings Lay leaders wanting to attend future courses. Sessions become popular. Leaders enthused and making a difference as a result of sessions. Lay leader includes roles such as Youth and Children s workers, parish administrators, pastoral workers in the ycombe Deanery Parishes. The sessions will provide support and training as well as an opportunity to network and share best practice. Ministering to ministers Area Dean supported by Affirmation and Accountability Task group (due to report in 2010) Less ministerial burn-out. Improved work-life balance. More openness between colleagues. Area Dean annual report to Mission Committee on levels of stress. This includes ministry to both Clergy and LLMs. The clergy are supported by the Area Dean and Lay Ministers by Area arden of LLMs (Judy Taylor). Provide opportunities for Clergy prayer, study and renewal Area Dean Includes Annual Clergy day in Lent Chapter meetings Opportunities provided and clergy report they are valuable Ecumenical collaboration Mission Committee Closer collaboration, more activities, closer relationships. Seeing Churches working together. The Deanery supports ecumenical collaboration and collaborative projects e.g. ycombe Night Shelter, ycombe Town Centre barbecue, and various Churches Together Networks. As and when activities arise which require support the Mission Committee will encourage and support participation and may provide funding. Healing Adviser Ann Trew (Bourne End and Hedsor) and Gabrielle Smith (Marlow). Three events a year Regular sessions of training will be provided and resources made available. Feedback to Mission Committee from advisers. Seeing people healed. Healing prayer given higher profile in the life of the Church. People wanting to attend sessions and gain training. Co-ordinated planning Mission Committee Meeting prior to each synod plus gatherings of executive 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010 Annual plans for Mission Committee meetings. Churches Network extended at all levels to share encourage knowledge sharing (further planning require). Providing a knowledge base about Parishes in the Deanery and sharing best practice to enable decision making. Ensuring all Deanery Plan activities are reported to Synod.
Communication Refreshing in 2009 and ebsite up to date and Mission Committee ongoing updated regularly Accessible communication to Synod Reps, PCCs and Lay Leaders is vital, a variety of methods of communication need to be used to engage people (spoken, written, electronic). A Deanery website is essential which is a permanently available source of information accessible to all and is a key component in this activity. Making Disciples: This is about the core task left to us by Jesus. It usually takes the form of accompanying people on a journey to faith by the intentional use of nurture courses, mentoring, the catechumenate, or simple friendship. Training for mission and evangelism Mission Committee More people attend training, this leads to new outreach and evangelistic events and results in people being drawn into Church. Equipping of lay people and clergy in the task of proclamation by provision of training. The Deanery supports the Mission Enabler and ycombe Community Missioner by paying their expenses, their roles are key in delivering these activities. Lighthouse Lighthouse Trustees Annual Lighthouse continues and reports on success The Deanery Synod supports the purpose of Lighthouse and has supported Lighthouse High ycombe through funding which has been agreed annually with 1000 being promised in 2009. Town Centre Evangelist in High ycombe ycombe Centre for Mission and Spirituality Contemplative Fire Support larger outreach events Area Dean Five year post To establish a 'religious community' which is visible to, and attractive to, young and old alike. Church Army funded post to start in September 2009 based in All Saints, High ycombe to work with Chaplaincy for ycombe. Purpose: To establish a team based at All Saints charged to share the story of Jesus in the marketplace. Through prayerful living they will be seen as a transforming presence and will promote the Centre for Christian Spirituality as a place to encounter the transforming power of the Holy Spirit Town Centre Evangelist Five year plan Opportunities provided for visitors to explore various spiritual foci. Based at All Saints, High ycombe Accountable to the Bishop of Buckingham Draw in people from fringe of Church life, feedback to +Alan Services are held within the Deanery using our church buildings and provide a fresh expression of church within the Deanery. Mission Committee Feedback on activity to Mission Committee or Synod In 2009 funding planned for a variety of activities: Churches Together in ycombe - 300; Healing on the streets - 500. 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010
ork with children Mission Committee Increased numbers of Children participating in activities across deanery and increasing numbers of people enabled to work with children. Sharing best practice via Lay Leaders Network. Godly Play is supported by funding for Flackwell Heath, equipment will be available to other parts of the Deanery and feedback will be shared at Synod. Also Deanery to liaise with DCO (Yvonne Morris) utilising and promoting Godly Play and Core Skills course promoted by Diocese ork with young people Mission Committee Increased numbers of young people participating in activities across deanery and increasing numbers of people enabled to work with young people. Sharing best practice via Lay Leaders Network. The Deanery supports Youth orkers through grants from the rebate: St Birinus & St John and Loudwater (to end 2009), Hatters Lane and ycombe Marsh (to end 2010), also yde youth workers network (to end 2009). Liaise with DYO (Ian MacDonald). ork with Older People Spiritual Care of Older People (SCOP) Coordinator: Janice Allerston On-going Janice is based at St Birinus and St Johns, High ycombe More older people coming to faith in Jesus and taking on personal role within the church. Sharing best practice via Lay Leaders Network. Making a difference in the world: This is about recognising that in a holistic understanding of God's action in the world, there is no mission without social justice; that social justice and prophetic witness cannot be put in a box as a specialism or an extra, but is at the heart of the calling of every Christian community in its own context. ycombe Night Shelter Board of Reference Annual Reports from Management group about success of work. Deanery Synod supports the work done at the night shelter through funding of 1000 (last payment 2009). The project involves many parishes in the Deanery. Urban Priority Area (UPA) support network Convenor appointed for Bishop of Buckingham 2010 Buckingham Archdeaconry The UPA convenor provides support within Deanery for UPA parishes and within Buckinghamshire. It is hoped the convenor for Buckinghamshire will be appointed from within our Deanery. 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010
Community Cohesion work Parochial leaders throughout the Deanery Increased harmony and mutual tolerance demonstrated through Church Leadership. Promoting community cohesion work is an essential role for all in the church. The Deanery notes that in schools there is a requirement for Community Cohesion policies which local churches actively support and within the ycombe area there is the CCMR (Council for Christian-Muslim Relations) which works on community projects and in which the Area Dean participates. Support for PACT Mission Committee Annual up to 2010 Annual Report from PACT PACT (Parents and Children Together) is a Diocesan Charity supporting families and is supported financially by the ycombe Deanery with 500 (ending 2010) See www.pactcharity.org for further details. Support Rural Needs Glyn Evans and Mission Enabler Growth in rural parishes. Parishes report they have access to resources and training in skills they need. Ensuring rural parishes are utilising support from Diocesan Rural Officer and linking into the Rural network. Pairing parishes to share best practice and training. Ensuring good communication and advertising about Deanery & Parish activities and encourage events to be open to other Parishes. Annual Lecture Area Dean Annual Feedback The content of the lecture will be on contemporary matters of religion and spirituality Social responsibility audit Mission Committee A new group is to be formed to shape the work and take it forward. Report from group in Spring 2010 Creating Vibrant Christian Communities: This is about shaping 'communities of grace' which exhibit the character of Jesus. Such attractive communities are genuinely hospitable, deeply engaged with their communities, and passionate about God. Joint orship at Synod Mission Committee Annual event at least Feedback from Synod At least one service every year will a service of praise and thanksgiving to which all in the Deanery (but especially PCC members and lay leaders) will be invited. Encourage emerging church projects Encourage church growth by sharing good practice Feedback to Mission Mission Committee Committee or Synod Emerging church projects will be encouraged in the Deanery, examples already in existence based in our churches include small Saints (for children), Rainbow orship (for special needs), occasional art installations in Marlow, First Praise at St Andrews. The Mission Committee will consider financial support for these activities and will enable sharing of best practice through structures such as the Lay Leaders Network. Area Dean Chapter sessions Feedback to Synod (e.g. parish profiles) The Area Dean and Lay Chair will attend and feed back on Fresh Expressions meetings led by the Diocese by sharing good practice. 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010
Strategic use of Visitations Area Dean and Lay Chair Annual Feedback to Mission Committee To encourage parishes in their mission and ministry and to engage in appropriate analysis of those things which are barriers to growth and stewardship. Freshen up stale expressions Mission Committee Regular agenda item Encouraging good practice in liturgical matters and outreach. Participating in and learning from the spirituality team headed by +Stephen. Improvements seen in Flexible boundaries Mission Committee collaborative working. Encouraging collaborative cross-parish work. Although Parish Boundaries exist for practical reasons and to provide identity the Deanery is supportive of flexibility in boundaries to gain souls for Christ e.g. Youth orkers working in schools outside their home parish. Imaginative use of buildings Mission Committee Threatened churches given a new lease of life Ensuring creative engagement between Deanery & Archdeaconry pastoral committees to support applications for changes in the use of buildings. Shaping Confident Collaborative Leadership: This is about developing leadership using all the resources available to the local church. It would involve consolidation in some parishes and new work in others to build up shared ministry in teams, with appropriate training and support. Affirmation and Task group of local clergy Report to Synod in early By 2010 accountability work lead by Area Dean 2010 Supporting Clergy in their work/life balance and issues of stress. Feeds into Area Dean and Lay Chair meetings and through Diocese structures to provide a catalyst for change, to aid understanding and improve support in these areas. Once the team have reported, outcomes of this work will feed into the Ministering the Ministers (Sustaining the Sacred Centre) measures of success. Ministerial review support and back up Bishop and Archdeacon Annual Individual response of reviewee to the Bishop. Bishop monitors process. This process was introduced to the Diocese in 2009 and is recognised as a valuable part of collaborative Leadership. The Area Dean is a Bishop s Reviewer. Clergy skills audit progress Area Dean and Lay Chair Ad-hoc occurs when new Clergy join the Deanery Feedback to Mission Committee as appropriate As new Clergy join the Deanery, additional skills and experiences that they bring will be identified as part of the interview process. Mission audit team New team to be formed including Lay and Clergy Start 2010 Regular report to Mission Committee The team will share best practice and identifying needs in Deanery as an input to coordinated planning 2009 Version ycombe Deanery Mission Plan For review spring 2010