Notes on the Pickering Deanery Greater Chapter Meeting at Wydale Hall 28 11 2007

 

The meeting was called by the Rural Dean of Pickering, The Revd Paul Mothersdale, to hear from Archdeacon Paul Ferguson about the future structure of the Diocese, and Helmsley and Pickering Deaneries in particular.

Over 40 people took part including 5 Stipendary Clergy, 6 Readers, 11 Pastoral Assistants together with Eucharistic assistants and retired clergy from the Pickering Deanery. Helmsley Deanery Chapter was invited and represented by the Rural Dean and the Revd David Coleman, the Revd Max Timbrell, one apology, and two Readers, with two apologies.

 

Archdeacon Paul began by outlining the financial problems of the Diocese and how things looked for the future.

 

Although recruitment of Clergy was going well, the average age of ordinations was rising, meaning that the average period for ordained ministry was now 25 years instead of 35-40 in the past. This contributed to the declining numbers of Stipendiary clergy. To some extent this was offset by Non Stipendiary and active retired

 

The Pensions bill is increasing.

 

The cost of maintaining the Stipendiary Ministry is increasing at twice the rate of the Retail Price Index

 

The Parish Share system works well, but each Deanery is facing a reduction in Stipendiary posts. These       will not be covered by extended vacancies

 

Overall our two Deaneries currently have nine full time clergy and two half time posts. In the next five years this could be reduced to six full time and two half time with some changes to the boundaries of Benefices.

 

He saw the A170 corridor as a good basis for allocating ministries, with the Market Towns as ≥pegs≤ on which clusters of parishes would be grouped and around which the Mission of the church could grow. There was no plan to close churches.

 

He concluded by saying that nothing was set in concrete and that all aspects were up for discussion.

 

Rural Dean Paul opened up the discussion by reminding the meeting that the church needed to build its strength by mission. Seeing opportunities and building on them. A number of points emerged:

- Adjustments to Benefice boundaries would have to look at Helmsley and Pickering Deaneries together.

- Some form of merger could result. Either as a full merger, or a merger incorporating an internal East-West split.

- Parish worship will be increasingly provided by lay leaders. Readers were a highly trained group and licensed to preach, but each parish has other God given resources who can be developed to lead worship, lead prayer and give pastoral care. Some might speak from suitable books to fill the sermon slot.

- The use of Lay worship leaders needs to be developed. The first step was to look for possible leaders, then to ask and encourage, to train and guide. The existing clergy have an essential role in this development. The Diocesan Training resource can also help local groups to develop their skills. Some might go on to become Readers. One current trainee said how helpful she found the Reader training which can be done in separate modules if the entire course seems a bit daunting.

 

At least one parish has found the strength that comes from having worship in the church every Sunday - even if there is no sermon. Each Benefice often has a major central service from time to time and this is a source of strength for all

           

It was agreed that the church was there to ensure that God was worshipped, the Gospel was preached and that pastoral care was provided. The Parishes all had potential talent which needed to be recognised and unlocked to maintain the church in the future with fewer parish clergy. More cooperation with other traditions and more  Local Ecumenical Partnerships was another way forward.

 

Rural Dean Paul told us that Pickering Deanery was setting up a Deanery Pastoral Working Group in the New Year with two representatives from each Benefice.

 

The meeting concluded with prayer