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You are here » Home» Churchwork» Hereford Deaneries» Ledbury Deanery

Ledbury Deanery

"Our Churches are open for everyone, no matter faith or lack of it, no matter creed, no matter condition, no matter age, no matter need."

Deanery of Ledbury, Our Vision

Our Mission Statement

Our vision is of a lively and growing Church in all our parishes, to be seen very much at the centre of spiritual and social life in each community.

Our priority, together with the Diocese, is to reach out to all - taking the Good News of the Gospel out into the community, as well as offering an open door and an encouraging welcome to those who seek to be part of the body of Christ.

The Deanery will support all our parishes in reaching out, each in their various ways, to the wider community, and encourage those parishes and churches who seek to offer fresh expressions of Church.

Our Aim

To offer any support which might best be provided and organised by the Deanery which the parishes believe would be of help to them in their mission, and in our joint mission.

In this it is the Deanery's intention to encourage and inspire parishes in their work- but not to impose or dictate. As the Deanery is no more than the sum of its parishes working together, our over-riding principle is to allow the parishes to be prime.

Diary

Dates of forthcoming Synod Meetings, Thursdays,

26th November 2009, Colwall, The Ale House. Arrangements for visit of the Rev Nick Read
25th March 2010, at Much Marcle
29th July 2010, at Ashperton
23rd September 2010, at Ledbury Chapter House
25th November 2010, at Colwall Ale House.

Standing Committee: 3rd March, 7th July, 1st September, 3rd November 2010

Library

The library is being maintained at www.ledbury-deanery.org.uk

DEANERY OF LEDBURY FIVE-YEAR PLAN

In 2006 the Deanery's Lay Co-Chairman and Rural Dean invited each of the Deanery's twenty-two parishes to produce a Five-Year Plan (FYP). It was the intention that these should be visionary, and should not major on financial matters (which might otherwise restrict the parishes' vision).
When these Plans subsequently were reported to a meeting of the Deanery Synod it became readily apparent that some ambitions and initiatives were shared by a number of parishes, and that it might be beneficial therefore for the Deanery itself to take a lead in these matters in support of all parishes. Thus the Deanery's own FYP was drafted. This is detailed below, together with notes (shown in blue) of progress made since 2006.

Having studied the Five Year Plans (FYPs) drafted by our twenty-two parishes, and listened to their views about areas of joint initiatives, it is the Deanery's intention to offer, over the next five years, support in the following areas:

1. Encouragement and development of pastoral care in parishes, principally through the Deanery's provision of TRAINING FOR THE LAITY from our parishes who volunteer to assist in pastoral visiting within their Parish. This might well include visiting of the sick and house-bound, hospital visiting, visiting the bereaved and also, where it is deemed appropriate, in visiting to offer Home Communion. Those who complete the training would be known and officially endorsed by their parishes (and possibly 'badged') so that they become recognised as special representatives within their parishes, working closely and in harmony with their clergy.
Since 2006 a number of Pastoral Visiting training sessions have been held (both evening and day-time sessions). Initially these were run by the Diocese's Lay Training Officer but, with his encouragement, the Deanery is running its own courses. These cover Pastoral Visiting, Bereavement Visiting and Visiting the Terminally Ill. Additionally some of the largest parishes in the Deanery have the capacity to run their own training sessions in these areas. When the training sessions were set-up it was anticipated that they would be of greatest appeal to the smaller parishes where it was felt further support of the clergy's visiting programmes would be most beneficial. This is an area of training which needs to be promoted further in these particular parishes. The Rural Dean is happy to arrange further training sessions on a Deanery-wide basis or for individual parishes.

2. IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNICATIONS within the Deanery (between parishes; between parishes and the Deanery; between parishes, the Deanery and the Diocese), with other Churches in the area, and with the wider community. To this end a Working Group is considering, among other ideas -
a. The revision of the present Deanery website.
This was completed in 2009 (www.ledbury-deanery.org.uk), and links were set-up with the Diocese's new, informative, and readily-accessible web-site (www.hereford.anglican.org)
b. The greater use of e-mail within and across the Deanery for the dissemination of information about meetings, ideas, good news, functions, etc.
Almost all communication within the Deanery, and particularly between Deanery Officers and members of Synod, and between the Deanery and parishes, is now conducted by email in2009 - a very considerable advance in three years.
c. The regular provision of Deanery News for inclusion in parish magazines and newsletters.
This is now a regular feature in 2009, and Synod agendas and Minutes encourage the dissemination of Good News and details of forthcoming events.
d. Greater use of the local newspapers and broadcast media to tell good news and to publicise Church activities and events.
Local newspapers are furnished with details of major events and activities, as are the local radio and television stations, though we are sometimes frustrated by their reluctance to publish Church news.

3. The production of a brief pamphlet, as a simple aide memoire and starting guide, for any PCC considering CHURCH RE-ORDERING, to include such matters as the provision of introducing running water within the building, the installation of WCs, the re-ordering of pews and other furnishings, etc. Such a paper would direct the PCC to recognised sources of help - architects, potential sources of funding available, planning applications, applications for faculties etc.
The Diocese, in its Churchwardens Information Packs, and in other material, already produces much of the information the Deanery intended to draw together in one publication, and it was felt there as no merit in re-inventing the wheel. All this information has been made available to parishes via their Churchwardens or PCC Secretary.
In 2009 newly appointed Churchwardens were given the packs.

4. Developing the wish, expressed widely by parishes at the Deanery's 'Fresh Expressions of Church' study day, to WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE (CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG FAMILIES). This, almost certainly, will involve closer liaison with other churches in the area, with the Diocesan Youth Officer and Children's Officer, and with local schools.
A Working Party set up by the Rev'd Paul Dunthorne, produced a report on work currently being undertaken by parishes, separately or in conjunction with neighbouring parishes. This report was warmly and unanimously approved by the Synod - see Minutes in 2007 and 2008.
The Diocese accepted the proposal of the Deanery Synod that our Mission should be widened by training teams to go into schools across the Deanery. To this end a grant of £9,000 over 5 years has been made available to the Deanery by the Diocese and the process of establishing and training the teams proceeds at this time. A recent Synod devoted to the "Open The Book" project - a scheme for taking Bible stories into schools, for use at Collective Worship, in lessons, and in after-school clubs and activities - received encouraging (and ecumenical) support. A training Workshop on "Open The Book" is to be held in the Chapter House, St. Michael's, Ledbury, at 7.30pm on 14th October. All who are interested are most welcome to attend.
In parallel with the "Open The Book" project the Deanery, through liaison with the Head of RE at John Masefield School, has become aware of similar opportunities which might exist at JMHS. This is an avenue the Deanery is also keen to develop further.

5. Stage A DEANERY SOCIAL EVENT with the aim of bringing the Deanery's parishes closer together in fellowship in a positive, happy and co-operative way. Such an event, if successful, could well be repeated in one form or another at least once more within the 5 years - with the real possibility of becoming an annual event. While the fostering of such social contacts and inter-change would be the uppermost consideration, any funds raised would be directed (initially at least) to re-establishing the Deanery's reserves.
The first event, a Reception and Auction held at Eastnor Castle in 2007 - intended to be a 'fun-raising' event - was a great success, both socially and also financially. Many came from across the whole Deanery and, among many other things, just over £5,000 was raised for Deanery reserves.
In 2008 a Musical Concert was held at Tarrington where almost every parish was represented; there was standing room only and the cakes brought by the ladies represented 'the baskets full' at the end and were sold to raise funds! The concert uncovered an amazing array of rich talent, and encompassed the age range from 18 to 80+. It was a most joyous occasion.
Plans are underway now for our next social event in 2010, which we hope will be an evening of prose and poetry.

The Deanery

The Deanery Synod is aware of a possible enlargement of the Deanery by the addition of one particular group of parishes from a neighbouring Deanery, and has agreed to welcome such a move should it come to fruition.
A possible enlargement of the Deanery (which the Deanery was happy to consider) did not take place, and re-organisation of neighbouring Deaneries suggests that this initiative might not proceed in the near future.

Review of the Deanery's Vision and Five Year Plan

This plan would be revisited at least annually, or more often if need be. The Deanery Synod will be given the opportunity to continue to share 'good news', especially that which will enable parishes and the Deanery to fulfil these FYPs, and will seek to be accessible to parishes to support them in fulfilling their own parish plans.
Progress made by parishes in fulfilling their Five-Year Plans was reported to the Deanery Synod in the autumn of 2008. Parish Plans are being submitted to the Synod in October 2009 when the Deanery will consider them and will look to revise the Deanery plan in the light of the actions and request made by the parishes.

Sharing with the Diocese in its vision

The Deanery wishes to work with the Diocese in seeking to fulfil its Diocesan Vision, which seeks to share God's love in community and world through:

• Worshipping God and praying for His help and guidance
• Caring for and serving people in all life's situations
• Recognising and responding to the needs of our communities
• Inspiring and learning through each other's strengths and gifts

So that in all our activities we show Jesus Christ to those around us.

Officers

Role of Rural Dean.

The Rural Dean is appointed by the Bishop and is given by him a share in the pastoral oversight, spiritual leadership, encouragement and development of mission and general administration of the Deanery. He has a particular pastoral responsibility for the clergy of the Deanery, and provides a link between them and the Bishop and the Archdeacon. In his leadership role the Rural Dean is joined by the Lay Co-Chairman of the Deanery Synod.
The Rev'd Prebendary Mike Vockins OBE is currently Rural Dean. He is a Non-Stipendiary Minister serving as Hon. Curate (Associate Priest) in the parishes of Cradley with Mathon and Storridge, and is also the Bishop's Adviser for Non-Stipendiary Ministry in the Diocese. His telephone number is 01886 884366

Role of Lay Co-Chairman

The Lay Co-Chairman, elected by the Deanery Synod, aims to bring together the views of the parishes of the Deanery on issues of common purpose, and then to discuss and formulate common policies on these issues. In the process of doing this to foster a sense of community and interdependence among those parishes and generally to promote in the Deanery the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The current Lay Co-Chairman is Ian Beer CBE, who worships at St. Michael's, Ledbury. Ian is a retired Headmaster, and a recent President of the RFU.