Summary: Lenten Visits Wakefield Deanery 26 th March 2014 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: Making disciples and growing churches through evangelism and outreach The importance of good Communication Local access to resources Things to keep from the old: Church schools Mission planning Parishes sharing and supporting each other Importance of training Outreach The Mirfield Centre Connections with the Cathedral Key Issues the new Diocese should take forward: Respecting Diversity both ecumenically and within different sections of the Church Ensure effective resourcing of parishes providing expertise, sharing ideas and access to resources and training Develop mission to children and young people Good financial stewardship Making disciples and growing churches through evangelism and outreach Good pastoral care in clergy Effective administration The importance of good Communication Social Justice Resourcing the Parishes to do this: Maintaining local support and accessible resources Family and Children s support services Smaller parish share Training The one thing to take away: Mission and church growth outreach to all
Page 2 of 15 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: Church schools Mission planning Parishes sharing and supporting each other Importance of training Outreach The Mirfield Centre Connections with the Cathedral Comments from Cards: Church schools and the Wakefield Academy system Parish and school service/co-operation Education with Church schools Need to continue with good relationships with Education Authorities Improve education in the Wakefield area Work with children has been valued and improved Good imperative for mission action plans etc. Mission initiatives in Wakefield. Door to door outreach at St Georges Mission action planning Mission planning and action Missionary Diocese Mission planning Mission planning Mission and improvement plans Missional intentionality. Plans to grow the church and desire to serve the community Mission and improvement plans Guidance between parishes of how to execute mission, objectives Missional intentionality a sense of community and church growth Since Bishop Nigel s time a sense of mission and purpose has grown Designation by Bishop Nigel of Wakefield as the missionary diocese and all that stemmed from that Being internationally missional and serve our local community Our missional improvement plans at the Cathedral Growth in numbers and as worship through hospitality Diversity/acceptance of differing Christian traditions
Page 3 of 15 Co-operation between churches in terms of social provisions Continuation of sharing and support between parishes Working together with other churches and faiths for the mutual benefit of all Getting to know other parishes and their outreach too. In our parish unity we have one another Celebrating together and serving the community The range of outreach between parishes We have appreciated being part of a Deanery that supports each other. Learning about what other parishes are doing and inviting others to join in with them have been an important part of this and we hope that it will continue. One way this could happen is to encourage parishes to share talents, time and resources. It has also been good to know that the Diocese have always been there to be called upon when the need arises, and also providing training events, safeguarding support, buildings advice and our MOT workshops Inspiring one another by sharing our experiences of ministry in our parishes It has been a deanery that has been open and helpful by being local. We know who is who The training/education of people to bring them forward for ordination/lay preaching The opportunities for training and education Lay training and involvement has increased (Pastoral Ministries etc) a better sense of service Training Children and Youth etc and parish development Training for ministry Desire for learning and training The many opportunities we have been given to come together in Deanery celebrations, particularly the Cathedral Coming together with other churches in our parish e.g. outreach, CAP, recognising talents and gifts that can be shared Co-operation of parishes to alleviate need I think knowing the clergy personally who represent us in our missions Outreach events in the City centre, parties in the precinct etc. Outreach programmes St Georges community centre and CAP centre in Wakefield CAP centre in Wakefield Time of joint services within a small part of the Deanery for Lent, Pentecost Rich educational and spiritual resource at Mirfield The gift of our renewed Cathedral, its staff, worship, music, mission etc. Sense of family in the diocese, not heavily structured, know each other Sense of a local identity distinct from being subsumed into a large sprawl of anonymity The availability of the Mirfield centre The Mirfield Centre Mirfield Education at Mirfield Centre Education the Mirfield Centre is excellent Mirfield centre and retreat house
Spiritual inspiration and deepening Mirfield awake, resource centre Wakefield Deanery Page 4 of 15 The current structure is well known. We need to be careful not to confuse the public with the new terminology The current Bishop is widely known. We need to ensure that the Bishop of West Yorkshire and the Dales is not remote The current Bishop of Wakefield knows all the clergy by name and sight. This is unlikely under the Bishop of Leeds Present Bishop walking around the parishes - visibility The professional support we get from the Children s and Young People s team in Church house That churches are not made any smaller and develop the small churches Is Deanery staying under Wakefield for meeting or made bigger? Serving the local community Connections with the Cathedral Spirituality through the Cathedral Chantry Chapel Community of the Resurrection special places Cathedral presence belonging The cathedral and ecumenical links Wakefield Cathedral as a centre of excellence Benefits of renewed Cathedral in Wakefield The truly splendid worship at Wakefield Cathedral, particularly on Diocesan occasions Wakefield Cathedral as a city centre presence Our Cathedral it s continued role in the city, it s traditional of choral music Neighbouring parishes worship/training A shared focus and sense of belonging to Wakefield Cathedral Our Cathedral s central role in our city of Wakefield Music Cathedral Historic loyalty to the Cathedral Worship and choral tradition at Cathedral and civic links Re-vamped Cathedral serving the local church parishes and community Availability of celebrations in the Cathedral enabling attendance - participation The Bishop walking alongside the miners (Bishop Nigel) and concern for the common man speaking their language Links with Tanzania diocesan link started 1988 Our links with parishes in Tanzania Our parish has re-ordered and now reaches out into our community in many ways, and particularly with asylum seekers, whose faith puts ours to shame The Deanery has tried to share it s riches in worship, social action, spiritual growth Co-operation with ecumenical partners The introduction of Back to Church Sunday Interfaith issues Bishop Tony The love of Christ experienced in the life of the congregation of the church expressed by welcome and hospitality to strangers
Page 5 of 15 The way it kept unification of the Wakefield and Chevet Deanery and kept everyone on board The active participation by most churches in the Deanery function The close attention the Archdeacon pays to the Deanery Meeting as a group of fellow Christians from outside my own parish Ease of access to various meeting places Lack of formality in proceedings Churches working together in social action The fellowship within the Deanery and knowing individuals Fellowship between church family and community church pantomime, church café We in one part of the Deanery have joint services during Lent it would be good to continue The use of different churches for services, particularly during Lent and with our particular parish, different church denominations Joint shared services with neighbouring parishes Our parish life There has been a great deal of work in making parishes active and relevant within main local areas outreach work, adult education, disability groups etc often with coffee and other catering initiatives The work we have done in the community friendships Worshipping together Cursillo Links between parish church and the Methodists Historical continuity Geographical integrity Catholic spirituality Parish faithful people Authorised Lay Pastoral Ministers Diocese knowing the whole of the Diocese I fear this will now be lost Relative accessibility of churches from Wakefield A sense of family at parish, deanery and diocese level Resource centre in Wakefield easily accessible Several churches in the Deanery that are inspirational to others e.g. St Catherine s and St Georges in interacting with the community Small but perfectly formed like the Chantry Development of significant links with the community in the parish A group connected as fringe to the church. Support from the Diocese Jo Beacroft-Mitchell and Susan Rundle St Peter s Stanley moved from its parish church into old school building declared redundant. Realises that the building is not what is really important. More community links established Ecumenical services Small compact area Knowing each other Respect of differing traditions
Page 6 of 15 The sense of identity within this long established Diocese, especially as it celebrates it s 126 th year
Page 7 of 15 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: Respecting Diversity Partnership Resourcing/sharing ideas Good for practice Children and Young People Finance Stewardship Making Disciples/ Grow Churches Evangelism and Outreach One Clergy/One Parish Multi-parish benefices Clergy Care Being part of something bigger Administration Communication Vibrant Spiritual Life Social Justice Oddments Respecting Diversity Partnership Inter-faith contacts Proper provision for those not in favour of the ordination of women as priests or bishops That the local ecumenical links are not lost but strengthened Respecting different traditions and building ecumenical links Being part of something bigger - Administration The big gap between the big Diocese and smaller areas making sure that the areas don t become too parochial. It s important to be stimulated by ideas of others No managerialism not run like an industrial concern Ensure Wakefield retains it s identity and is not swallowed up in the larger Diocese Well located administrative centres with adequate staffing
Page 8 of 15 Resourcing/sharing ideas good for practice How to maintain strength of Mirfield Preserving traditions Importance of inward depth in learning as well as outward movement in mission Maintaining the Resource Centres in each area Sharing of Resources/Strengths personal, physical and material Access to resources e.g. Church House in Wakefield not far away Diocese resource the parishes not the other way round Coherent sensible management of resources including both financed, technical and person power resources. Putting right people in right places to do right job Education training Lay training (Bereavement support) for growth Resources Training, things to borrow, sharing ideas, working together Continuation and developing of authorised Lay Pastoral Ministry Children and Young People Mission to youth need a core of youth workers diocesan/deanery Mission to youth events arranged around the deanery/diocese Attractive to young people Draw younger people into the church Mission to youth training for all involved in parish youth work Support of local parish involvement in schools to encourage children to support the church communication Communication Unity and communication with others That our valuable links between parishes and their identity with Wakefield is not lost The Bishop of West Yorkshire and the Dales I hope will visit all the parishes over the whole area over time Ensure robust and open lines of communication in all directions Effective co-ordination not burdensome bureaucracy Establish effective communication for the Bishop down to parishes Co-ordination and communication Communication to be sent out in good time for us to put in our parish magazine before we have to go to press. e.g. things for January to be available early December Rural areas folk to urban areas to foster understanding Effective prioritised communication within the church and parishes Communication logistics involved with travelling and meetings and offices within the Diocese Better communication Diocese parish Follow Thought for the day and have a Bishop s thought for the week (Use Tom Butler) Communication especially for Deanery Synod members. Nobody ever contacts us and we miss meetings busy vicar!! Communication more of it please! 2 way Communication remoteness of deanery and diocesan personnel more visits please visible Rural Dean in touch with parishes Communication remoteness of diocesan/deanery language Vibrant Spiritual Life Facilities for retreat vibrant spiritual life
Page 9 of 15 Finance stewardship Worry about closures of churches, loss of clergy etc for financial reasons Require clarity for the future funding of our Cathedrals Finance equitable parish share Rationalisation of church buildings Making Disciples/Grow Churches Evangelism and Outreach Engaging with younger people young and middle aged parents Encourage families and young people to come to church Promoting Christianity to a wider audience Successful planning future generation of Christians Intentional Missionality Equip the church to go out Local mission outside of the church Evangelism outreach How to maintain a sense of intimacy in the enlarged diocese Recognising what s working in our area and to make sure resources are available for the mission to continue Show and model the hospitality of God Mission intentionality Strengthening relationships locally (parishes/deanery/area/ecumenically) Take church to the people rather than waiting for people to come to us Social outreach Discipling families and young people (if necessary clusters of churches working together) Supporting clergy and parishes in mission task Setting clergy and laity free of mission instead of propping up a dying institution Averting decline through evangelism Social Justice Speak and act prophetically and courageously in issues of social practice Work with the needy and marginalised Working against poverty and social exclusion Community involvement Christians against Poverty and Community Awareness Programme More CAP centres Christians against Poverty Tackling poverty/debt in communities Take the church to the people, for the people will not come to the church Take the church to the people Links to prison Links to Wakefield City of Sanctuary asylum seekers and Angel Lodge Church leaders wider moral issues human traffics etc Oddments Opportunity to appoint first woman Bishop Mara The significance of Wakefield Cathedral is not diluted and lost in the system Relevance of deanery to parish life! Relationships with and support of the third world Focussing on relationships in our own areas, we cannot be expected to encompass the bones of rural North Yorkshire communities Joined up thinking about our ministry and mission in church schools primary and secondary Education Church schools, discipling (Mirfield Centre)
Page 10 of 15 One Clergy/One Parish Multi-parish benefices, Clergy Care Good pastoral care for the clergy To make sure that no parish is left in isolation Recognition of work done in parishes the basic unit Encourage churches together groups and more Supporting and enabling ministry and mission in the parishes Finding commonality between the different areas of the Diocese working together a visible Bishop and Area Bishops to motivate parishes Ending multiple benefices (clergy/parish) Leadership resident priest in every parish no matter whether stipendiary or self supporting Vicars for parishes shorter interregna Please don t keep giving us hoops to jump through that bear no relevance to our needs Recognition that we are different and that we know what we are doing in parishes
Page 11 of 15 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: Maintaining local support and accessible resources Family and Children s support services Smaller parish share Training Support for Parish: Access to local support (within each Area Bishop) Creating local support/resources networks Resource Centre Accessible local resources Centre e.g. Church House, Wakefield Maintaining and developing an accessible Resources Centre for use by parishes Resources accessible Share resources e.g. mentoring Continue to provide professional advice and training and support services e.g. Children and young People, Safeguarding, Bereavement Availability of dedicated family and children support services (Diocesan workers who go out) Encourage parishes to broaden their horizons share insights Understand local needs, strengths and weaknesses Don t enforce conflict of interest at parish level which overstretches resources To be able to cultivate at parish level without feeling burden by other financial demands Keep finances realistic Cut down parish share release cash for parishes Smaller realistic parish share to pay Encourage or require full payments of parish share by all parishes Encourage lay training make it more accessible Training for church officers Diocesan expertise available at parish level e.g. Registrar (Legal), stewardship, DAC experts and accessible Clergy in place and able to train/go on retreat Bishops, Archdeacons to visit, preach and have lunch in parishes/schools. We want to know what they believe Encouragement spiritually Motivation Leadership Trust us Cathedral use us for Diocesan events, develop a worship for three cathedrals one diocese
Page 12 of 15 Leave us our head for our mission/encouragement/witness in the city/business communities/ local schools/deanery etc. Use the Cathedral for Diocesan events Encourage and equip clergy and parishes in evangelism Education and training Return senior resources to parish work mandatory Parish days built in all senior staff diaries Co-ordinate development of clergy to match need and cover interregnums Mobile task force mission team to boost parish efforts At the present moment finding us a priest for St Luke s Church, Sharlston with New Sharlston and Streethouse Training for youth worker Continuation and support of stewardship Support for Deanery: What functions will the Deanery have? Training opportunities 1 day or series of days e.g. worship leading Training days for Church Officers and other lay people e.g. PCC In service training for clergy and reader and lay pastoral ministers Provide training and retired facilities e.g. Mirfield accessible Senior staff dairies to include mandatory Parish Days Smaller deaneries function better Open and visible funding arrangements Until we know what the deanery aspires to, we feel we cant really answer this question Support for Rural Dean Support for the Rural Dean to fulfil parish expectations Enhanced role for Area/Rural Deans Avoid key events clashing e.g. Toddler praise and Deanery Synod Provide resources e.g. Church House locally, not far away Bishops and Archdeacons to communicate with deanery via email, blog or other, not via the national news By strengthening the cathedral Keep support as local as possible Flatten organisational structures Emphasise bottom up rather than top down approach Financial support for Youth Workers Deanery events for youth
Page 13 of 15 What one thing do you want us to take forward from this meeting? That the Diocese plans to grow new disciples, reverse decline and nurture mission intentionality That all the valuable mission that is already happening in Wakefield Diocese doesn t struggle to continue as readjustments take place A central strategy for growth, discipleship and service which is delivered locally Church growth particularly in the parishes Encourage young people back to church Making them growing disciples For the Cathedral to be able to reach out to the people of Wakefield Encouragement and Provision for children, young people and families To be encouraged to feel part of the big picture individually and as a parish Life and love of Christ to be experienced Be a servant church i.e. truly serve ALL the people in our parish, no matter what race or creed To embrace and draw into faith and church membership families and young people (currently largely absent in our church) To reach the un-reached through all the ways that we can devise; to lead them into a personal relationship with Jesus More young people to come to the Lord Jesus Christ and find the fullness I ve found in Him. Evangelism and mission More opportunities for praying with and for others across the Diocese and worshipping together so that others outside church want to join in Stability and growth in the parishes of the new Diocese Pastoral care don t let anyone slip away because they feel unneeded or unwanted More quality time from the clergy in shared parishes. Too many jobs do not proved the care and commitment required of a parish priest For our church I would like Church hall. For many walking through the church door is difficult. To go into the Church hall for a coffee morning may be an easier way into church For us to continue working together to grow our congregation in today s society and for the future Central strategy delivered locally for mission and growth of the church Joint approach in being in/reaching into our communities to serve God and all people and experience and be part bringing about transformation in Christ How do we reach and disciple 18-35s and what will the church look like in 30 years time (technologically) that we need to prepare for now? To reach out more to the not yet believers with God s gift of the spirit to empower us in this mission outreach Create provision and sustained pastoral workers within the church to enable better outreach within the community To establish relevance through outreach work on poverty and social exclusion Help, either physical or with form of ideas on how to reach out to people within the parish
Wakefield Deanery Page 14 of 15 A hope that the church will never forget the message of Jesus that we love one another. That we spread the news to all no matter what affiliation we hold That more young families will come to know our Lord Jesus Christ and find peace and the love of fellow Christians The continuation of the Training Forum Maintain character and identity as Church of England not a denomination (and no more Americanisation) A miracle not only to bring young people in but couples aged 30-50 to run the church as there are so many aged 60 plus To see younger people and families attending church and to be able to reach out to all members of local communities Keeping the main thing as the main thing how do we respond in love to a God who first loved us? Good discipleship Helping parishes to share ministry and developing outreach and mission Looking forward and trying to improve the whole new Diocese in making a successful future Let s focus on making and growing disciples people who go deep with God. Let s not get caught in the trap of seeking success let s be faithful, even if things are tough To see the Gospel preached if necessary using words but preferably through love, joy, peace and action in every aspect of community life in and outside the church More people to find Jesus as their saviour and friend, in the church or outside of it and to find the value of prayer and Bible study themselves To proclaim hope and love transforming a caring community which is a beacon of Christ s church in West Yorkshire To recognise where God is alive and active outside the church and to join in That our new Diocese be a vibrant happening place where we feel good about belonging together in Christ and energised by the Spirit to reach out in love to all To find a way to trust a church hierarchy which has imposed the new Diocese, despite 2/3 voting against and being told in Synod that the new Bishop would be form outside the 3 Dioceses. I feel duped and disregarded. This does not help us start well. I pray the top brass both clergy and lay will truly listen to us in parishes we are at the coal face The church should move and change it s views in a modern 21 st century embracing technology for example A growth and desire for children s ministry Working together with God and with others to serve the community which we live Pastoral care should be important in the whole of the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales For us to have visionary leadership that will enthuse, inspire and encourage us all to have confidence in the sharing of the Gospel To see God s wonders and miracles at work within my church and reaching out to the people of our towns and cities. Come Holy Spirit and bless everyone who reaches out Outreach stretching form every parish throughout the Diocese To ensure that this re-organisation remains focussed on the church s mission and does not spend time and resources on internal politics and organisational issues Pray together about everything. Learn to listen to God. Obey Him
Page 15 of 15 That the vision that has led to all this massive reorganisation is fulfilled. That it will all have been worth it and lead to a reinvigorated C of E in WYAD The combined Diocese will be seen to be relevant to each parish and people outside the church will realise the relevance and need of Jesus That there is a Christians against Poverty centre available for every person in the Diocese More people coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (invite Through Faith Missions to help us?) To get the pews full of people who could enjoy the fellowship in God as we do, especially children who should know this God and what he does for us all unconditionally For God to bring the Holy Spirit into the church, to make people want to join and come to know Him and his love for us so that the church becomes vibrant and alive and provides something for everyone That this decision for a super diocese works and does not deteriorate to the detriment of all clergy and the people A passion and enthusiasm for spiritual, social and practical outreach to local communities That the new diocese reverse the decline in congregations although the parish is seeing a slight resurgence