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The Bromyard Deanery Vision Statement

The Deanery of Bromyard seeks to share God's love through

Worshipping God and praying for His help and guidance
By caring for and serving people in all life's situations;
By recognising and responding to the needs of communities;
Through inspiring and learning through each other's strengths and gifts
And encouraging each other on our journey of faith as Disciples of Christ.

How does the Deanery Synod work?

Each deanery has its own Deanery Synod which consists of lay members, elected at Annual Parochial Church meetings, and the clergy of the deanery, who meet under the joint chairmanship of the Rural Dean and the Lay Chair. Members are elected for 3 years Matters are referred to them from the diocese and the General Synod and resolutions passed can be sent up for discussion at the higher levels. Deaneries of the Hereford Diocese are charged with apportioning the Parish Share. Members are also the electors for the diocese and vote in the elections for Diocesan Synod and General Synod

The Function of the Deanery Synod

To discuss matters concerning the Church of England and other matters of religious or public interest and apply these to the Deanery
To discuss common problems and formulate policies that address these problems where appropriate
To foster a sense of community and interdependence among the parishes of the Deanery, and to promote in the Deanery the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
To consider matters of business of the Diocesan Synod or General Synod.
To raise issues with the Diocesan Synod where appropriate
To consider pastoral plans for the Deanery including the number and deployment of stipendiary clergy

Responsibility of Deanery Synod Members

Attend Synod, become involved in and participate in its work
Bring ideas for discussion to the Standing Committee
Keep themselves informed of local, Diocesan and National church and social issues about which their Synod may be asked or may wish to express an opinion.
Talk to those whom they represent so that they can accurately represent their thoughts and opinions in Synod debates.
Be prepared to speak on issues before Synod.
Attend meetings and report regularly the business of each meeting to their Annual Meeting and to their PCCs
The Rural Dean & Lay Co-Chair will work together:
To work with the Deanery Synod to promote in the Deanery the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
To work with the Deanery committees to discern and implement a Deanery vision and plan
To keep the Deanery informed of policy and other issues coming from the Diocese
To relay to the Bishops and Archdeacon views from within the Deanery
To act as joint Chairmen of the Deanery Synod

The Standing Committee works with the Rural Dean and Lay Co-Chair to:

Prepare interesting and relevant agendas for Synod meetings
To transact the business of Synod between meetings
To initiate and advise on proposals
To ensure members are adequately informed about business to be discussed at Synod meetings

The Pastoral Committee works with the Rural Dean and Lay Co-Chair to ensure that the Deanery deploys its resources in a way that provides for effective mission and ministry in the parishes it covers. This is done through:

Assessing the needs of the Deanery
Determining the resources of the Deanery
Reviewing the Deanery Plan for Mission and Ministry on a two, five and ten years basis [current plan dated January, 2008 ]

The Finance Committee works with the Rural Dean and Lay Co-Chair to:

Receive the annual share request from the Diocesan Board of Finance
Review and decide the allocation of this share between the Benefices of the Deanery
Collect the agreed share payments and pay them to the Diocese

The Collect for a Synod

Almighty God
You have given your Holy Spirit to the Church
That he may lead us into all truth.
Bless with his grace and presence
The members of this Synod;
Keep us steadfast in faith,
And united in love,
That we may reveal your glory
And prepare the way of your kingdome
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acknowledgements:
Information is included from the Diocese of Hereford Factsheet 0507, Guide to Synods, Diocesan Secretary, August 2007 FACTSHEET