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ABBEYDORE DEANERY NEWS
New Incumbents in the Borderlink and Clodock Benefices
Borderlink. We welcomed Revd Anand Sodadasi as the new Rector at his induction service at Hardwicke on 24.3.10.
Clodock & Longtown. Frank retired on 17.1.10 after 32 years as vicar in the benefice. He and Lynne are now living in Didley - not too far away! We were delighted to welcome Revd Nicholas Lowton as the new Vicar, at his induction service at Clodock Church on 14.7.10. Nicholas comes to us from Cheltenham News
"Toward 2015"
The Diocesan initiative "2015 Onward" - now "Toward 2015" - urges Deaneries to review and move towards the ministry needed for AD2015. We held our initial Consultation meeting in Kingstone on 24 Jan 2009 (with the Bishop of Ludlow) and discussions at subsequent Synod meetings. Our immediate concern was two vacant benefices which we managed to fill by mid-2010. But in parallel we looked to support not only the growth of vocations but also collaborative/local ministry and ways to promote its development more locally, given the availability and cost of stipendiary ministers. We are concerned for a greater flexibility in the offering of, and the amount of, eucharistic worship in a Deanery such as ours with many small rural churches. And we are exploring ways of encouraging 'discipleship' within our congregations, to build up those who are with us that they may grow in confidence (in word and deed) and help our small congregations to grow. Our next track is to encourage mission ...
Women in the Episcopate Proposals - Deanery Synod Debate
On 16th March 2011 at Allensmore Village Hall, Deanery Synod considered and took an informal vote on the proposals referred to it by General Synod via Diocesan Synod that women should permitted to become bishops (members of the episcopate) with alternative arrangements being put in place by the diocesan bishop - required in accordance with a statutory code of practice - for parishes that decide they cannot accept female episcopal oversight (and those continuing not to accept female priestly ministry). The Synod took an informal vote as requested by Diocesan Synod and supported the proposals 23F, 5Ag, 1Ab. Because a number of those against were actually opposed to any arrangements for the opponents to women's ministry, an informal vote was also taken on the motion "That this Synod is in favour of the consecration of women bishops but is opposed to any statutory code of practice." The outcome was 22F, 3Ag, 1Ab. These were reported back to Diocesan Synod.
Planning and Furthering Mission - 'MAPping'
The recent Deanery Synod on 12th July 2011 at Peterchurch was the first of its new triennium after the recent elections by parishes of their Synod representatives. After an opening eucharist to mark this, we heard from Revd Preb Sam Ashton about the Biblelands charity which does so much more for the peoples in the Holy Land than raise some funds via its annual carol sheet! We were delighted also to hear from Revd Caroline Pascoe on her work as the new Diocesan Lay Development Officer, in particular her role in resourcing the encouragement of discipleship and the pursuit of 'home mission'. She told Synod about MAPping (Mission Action Planning) and how the Diocese is keen that parishes - aided by LMDGs where they are operational - might reflect on what they do, on the community around them, on what God is seeking of them, and how they the parish might go about it. A 'MAP' could be quite a simple document and she provided a few rural examples.
Youthworker Project and Diocesan Mission Fund Grant
Sadly Deanery Synod learnt on 12th July 2011 that this project (intended to use the £10k from the Diocesan Mission Fund) would have to be shelved. The bids to external bodies for the further c.£17k required had met with no success in the necessary time period. Synod's Standing Committee and Deanery Chapter, having learnt of this a few months prior, had been discussing alternative uses for the £10k, and these were outlined at Synod which asked for detailed applications to be put together and submitted to the Diocese. One idea included having a mobile pizza-making oven to take out to our communities, especially those that are small and remote - table fellowship on the move!
Deanery Elections
At the July 2011 Synod, Ron Wicks was elected to continue as Lay Co-Chair and Sylvia Teakle as Deanery Secretary, both for the next triennium. Diana George agreed to continue as Deanery Treasurer for one year or less if a replacement is found - please pray for the right person to come forward!).
The lay representatives on the Deanery Standing Committee are Gwen Moore (Clodock), R.Adml Philip Wilcocks (Ewyas Harold Group), Hilda Griffiths (Wye Dore), with those for Borderlink Parishes and the Cagebrook Parishes to be resolved. No rep had been found from among the three self-supporting ministers in the Deanery. It was noted that we need to appoint a Deanery Stewardship Coordinator, and it was agreed that that office should be added to the constitution of the Deanery Standing Committee.
Hegongo School Project
Deanery Synod agreed in October 2010 that the Deanery should continue to support Hegongo School in Tanzania over the next three years, having raised c.£16k in 2006-2011. This was a result of an excellent presentation to Synod by Charles Hunter and Angela Mullens (who was a missionary out there) showing us the use of the monies so far. A written report from Hegongo is available on request.
Hay Festival Reading of the KJV Bible
Thanks to the efforts of Revd Nicholas Lowton with the organisers of the Hay Festival, a public reading of the entire King James Version of the Bible was held at the Festival and churches either side of the border during the Hay Festival week 26th May to 5th June 2011. You don't know how hard this can be until you've found yourself on the rota for 1 Chronicles chs 1-9 (well done St Faith's Bacton).
Cagebrook Parishes
The Benefice of Kingstone with Clehonger, Eaton Bishop, Allensmore and Thruxton, was given the new title of the 'Cagebrook Parishes' w.e.f. 1st October 2010. It is understood that at least one other benefice in the Deanery is also discussing a new title. Will it be that of another river course - we'll see!
Notable Visitors (Peterchurch and elsewhere)
It gave the village and parish church great pleasure to welcome HRH Duke of Gloucester on his visit to the re-ordered St Peter's Peterchurch on 23 March 2011, joined by the Lord Lieutenant Lady Darnley and the Bishop of Hereford, The Rt Revd Anthony Priddis. See report below.
Some of our churches were also graced recently by a private visit by HRH Prince of Wales - we know because he was espied at Dore Abbey and welcomed by one of its tour guides who happened to be in the church at the time!
Dore Abbey invited locals to come along for a tour on 9th July 2011, kind courtesy of the tour guides and the churchwardens. It was a lovely sunny morning and we were delighted that nearly 50 attended! They also had the chance to see the very successful 'Celebrating the Creative Arts' Exhibition provided by schools in the Golden Valley. Many were heard to say "I've lived here all my life and never been round the Abbey!" It's hoped to have another next year.
Back in March this year St. Peter's Church, Peterchurch, was honoured to have a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Darnley.
Blessed with sunshine, the school children lining his route were thrilled, not just for the Duke and their flag waving, but the helicopter bringing him which appeared to "nod" as he flew quite low above them.
A lot of pre planning brought everything to fruition with the Duke walking around all the newly refurbished areas, speaking to everyone. He took a great interest, not solely in the building, but the people and the work they did within St. Peter's. His background in architecture clearly showed itself, especially when discussing the plans with our own architect.
It's not every day we have a royal visitor and all the hard work has been well worth while as we look back over the many photographs taken, and the entries in our visitors' book by the Duke and Lord Lieutenant. This is available for visitors to the church to see, together with names of those offering donations and in whose memory they may have been. Memories will stay with us for years to come I feel sure.