Cynhadledd Esgobaeth Llanelwy :: St Asaph Diocesan Conference
Pwyllgor Sefydlog::Standing Committee
Minutes of a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Conference held on
24 November 2016 at Canolfan Dewi Sant, Pensarn
1. Welcome
The Bishop of St Asaph, Rt Revd Dr Gregory Cameron opened the meeting by welcoming everyone, and in particular newly elected members to the first Standing Committee meeting of the new triennial period. The Bishop outlined the Committee’s purpose and responsibility to direct diocesan strategy and explained the role of the Vice Presidents at meetings of the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Conference.
The Bishop introduced Dr Hilary Murray, Vice-President of the Diocesan Conference. Dr Murray chaired the morning session of the meeting.
2. Opening Reflection and Bible Study
The Archdeacon of Montgomery, the Ven Dr Peter Pike read from John 12: 20 – 32.
A variety of images of Jesus were used to inspire a short period of reflection and group discussion.
The output from a Bible Study session in table groups was captured on paper and will be formulated into a document for distribution to members.
3. Apologies
Apologies from the following members were recorded:
Revd Martin Batchelor, Revd Philip Chew, Mrs Carole Derry, Mr Glen Lund, Dr Huw Lloyd, Mr Chris Mayer, Ven Bob Griffiths, Revd Hermione Morris, Mr Clive Myers, Revd Steven Green, Revd Kate Tiltman, Very Revd Nigel Williams, Revd Peter Walker, Mr Graham Walker, Mr John Page, Mr Dave Rowley, Revd Canon Martin Snellgrove, Mrs Tracey White and Mrs Rosalind Williams
4. Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the last meeting of the Standing Committee held on 20 September 2016 at Holywellwere agreed.
5. Matters Arising
a) Bitesize St Asaph
The Bishop introduced the booklet ‘Bitesize St Asaph’. The purpose of the booklet is to provide easily digestible information about 2020Vision. The booklet is widely available and everyone was encouraged to read it and pass it on.
6. Review of the Diocesan Conference and Diocesan Elections
A document to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
Mrs Diane McCarthy, Diocesan Secretary and Secretary to the Diocesan Conference provided a review of the 2016 Diocesan Conference. The Conference was held on 8th October in St Joseph’s Anglican and Catholic High School, Wrexham a venue that has not been used previously to host the Diocesan Conference. Although there were a few issues regarding the lighting and parking which will be addressed if the school is used again next year, the facilities in the school enabled Mission Areas to meet in separate break out rooms which would not have been possible at the Llangollen Pavilion where the Conference has been held for the past few years.
The delegates consisted of a new cohort of elected members includingprovision for one representative aged under 25 years of age from each Mission Area. The Conference was very well attended, 75% of lay members of the Conference were present on the day and 84% of clerical members were present. This is a significant improvement on the 2015 attendance figures.
Conference documents and films can be viewed via the diocesan website and members will receive a post- conference pack in the post. The Conference Planning Group will convene in December to analyse the feedback forms in detail and begin to plan the 2017 Conference.
The Bishop reflected on the current process for nominating and electing members to provincial and diocesan bodies and the challenge of achieving demographic balance and utilising available talent appropriately.
Members were invited to work in table groups to consider and note down:
- Ideas for improving our Diocesan Elections process
- Ideas for improving our Diocesan Conference
Ideas were shared in a plenary session and will be used to plan future conferences and elections. There was particular enthusiasm for encouraging the Mission Areas to put forward nominations for election and for more information to be produced regarding the positions being elected and the experience of any candidates.
7. 2020Vision – Unlocking our Potential
The Chair reminded members that an update on 2020Vision is provided at every meeting as it is our key strategic priority.
a) Update on the creation of Mission Areas
Canon Chancellor Pam Powell, Transition Missioner provided an update on the creation of
Mission Areas. Members were provided with a document setting out the current situation in each Mission Area and emerging Mission Area in the Diocese. The final Mission Areas will be commissioned early in 2017.
Mrs Powell and Mr Llyr Williams, Diocesan Registrar responded to questions.
b) Creation of Pool Mission Area
Revd Steve Willson presented a proposal to create Pool Mission Area. The proposal was put to the vote:
For:35
Against:0
Abstain:0
Result: The creation of Pool Mission Area was approved unanimously.
c) Creation of Penedeyrn Mission Area and Valle Crucis Mission Area from the former Deanery of Penllyn and Edeyrnion
Revd Canon Martin Snellgrove presented a proposal to divide the Deanery of Penllyn and Edeyrnion into two Mission Areas: Penedeyrn Mission Area and Valle Crucis Mission Area.
The proposal was put to the vote:
For:35
Against:0
Abstain:0
Result: The creation of Penedeyrn Mission Area and Valle Crucis Mission Areawas approved unanimously.
d) Creation of Aber-Morfa Mission Area, Bryn a Môr Mission Area and Cathedral Mission Area from the former Deanery of St Asaph
Revd Canon Ian Day presented a proposal to divide the Deanery of St Asaph into three Mission Areas: Aber-Morfa Mission Area, Bryn a Môr Mission Area and Cathedral Mission Area.
After discussion it was agreed to amend the proposal in respect of Cathedral Mission Area. Although the entity of the Mission Area was not objected to, it was considered that the name ‘Cathedral’ Mission Area was not appropriate and an alternative name for the new Mission Area should be agreed by the Mission Area Conference.
The proposal was put to the vote:
For:35
Against:0
Abstain:0
Result: The creation of Aber-Morfa Mission Area, Bryn a Môr Mission Area and Cathedral Mission Area was approvedunanimously subject to the name of ‘Cathedral’ Mission Area being changed.
8. Update on a Hope and a Future
Miss Sarah Wheat, Diocesan Engagement Officer provided an update on the Hope and a Future training initiative that was funded by the Transformation Fund. The workshop-based training equips churches and Mission Areas to try new ways of working together and connecting with the community. Setting up and sustaining the initiative has been challenging at times, and the training format has evolved to meet specific needs such as providing bitesize sessions.
Ateam of seventeen facilitators have now been trained to deliver the course across the Diocese. Miss Wheat introducedMrs Emily Hillman, who spoke about her experience of becoming a Hope and a Future facilitator. Members of the Committee were provided with contact cards to fill in if they were interested in learning more about the initiative for their Mission Area.
9. Representation of Women in the Church in Wales
Revd Dr Manon James and Mr Tim Feak introduced this item by reading the poem ‘Councils’ by Marge Piercy.
a) Statistical Analysis
A document to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
Mrs Diane McCarthy spoke about the current gender balance within the diocese. A complete analysis of the gender balance within all diocesan groups and roles was contained in the accompanying report.
b) Diocesan Commission on the role of Women
A document to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
Revd Dr Manon James presented a report on behalf of the Diocese of St Asaph Commission on the role of women. The Commission will meet for the first time on 29 November 2016 and Dr James invited members to submit any matters for discussion at the meeting to her.
c) MAECymru
Revd Canon Sue Huyton provided an update about the work of MAECymru. She reported that a service to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the ordination of women into the priesthood in the Church in Wales will be held on7 January 2017 at the Cathedral. However, Mrs Huyton also pointed out that MAECymru advocates inclusivity and fairness for all within the Church in Wales and does not focus exclusively on the role of women.
10. Matters raised by Deaneries and Mission Areas
The following questions were submitted:
a) From Revd Colin Mansley, Denbigh Mission Area
Does Bishop Gregory intend to write either to congregations or to parents at church schools with any further information or encouragement to think about admitting all the baptised to communion?
The Bishop responded by saying that a pastoral letter and a study guide had already been issued and there was no plan to send anything further to congregations. The Director of Education and Lifelong Learning is developing resources for schools.
b) From Revd Canon Sue Huyton, Maelor Mission Area
If updating parish noticeboards, what should the title be?
Mr Llyr Williams, Diocesan Registrar’s advice was that the name of the Church remains unchanged and can be included on a noticeboard, however it should also be borne in mind when writing the text for a noticeboard that in legal terms, the Parish is now the Mission Area.
c) From Mr Mike Vellacott, Maelor Mission Area
Can Church Councils sanction insurance matters or would it need the approval of the MAC?
Mr Llyr Williams responded that the MAC should be fully informed and any action must comply with the terms of the Mission Area Covenant and insurance policy. The Head of RB Property Dept, Mr Alex Glanville will be asked to issue guidelines.
The Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Ven John Lomas said the Grace before the lunch recess.
After lunch, Revd Sarah Errington Vice Chair of the Diocesan Conference introduced herself to the new members of the Standing Committee. Mrs Errington chaired the afternoon session of the meeting.
11. Report on the St Padarn’s Institute
Revd Dr Jeremy Duff, Principal of St Padarn’s Institute gave a lively and engaging presentation about St Padarn’s.
St Padarn’s was launched in July 2016 with responsibility for the delivery of formation and training in the Church in Wales. Dr Duff explained that St Padarn’s Institute is not a college in the traditional sense but is a community of formation for mission, working in partnership with bishops, dioceses, Mission Areas and local church communities to deliver theology for life.St Padarn’s main areas of activity and priorities were outlined. He commented that the good practice already in place in St Asaph was a useful model.
The Institute is currently in a period of strategic development and it is anticipated that the staff team will be in place early in 2017.
Dr Duff led an interactive group exercise session.
An opportunity for questions was provided at the end of the presentation.
12. 2020 Vision
a) Update on usage of the Transformation Fund
A document to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
Mrs Diane McCarthy provided an update about the Transformation Fund. To date £566,000 has been released for purposes relating to 2020 Vision of which£400,000 was awarded during 2016. Most of our 21 Mission Areas have benefitted from the fund to some degree and the rate of applications from the grass roots has gathered momentum this year. All applications are assessed by the Grants Committee and awards are made according to the agreed criteria.
An opportunity for questions was provided at the end of the presentation.
b) Mission Area Finance
A document to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
Mrs Diane McCarthy briefed members about the implementation of Mission Area Finance and provided an update on the transition from Parish Share to Mission Area Share. A number of Mission Areas are piloting the new arrangements and the process of transition will be complete by 2018.
Mrs McCarthy reported on the work of the Provincial Financial Issues Group and the working group appointed by the St Asaph Diocesan Board of Finance to focus on Mission Area finance in this diocese.Mission Area finance is rooted in the theology of generosity and approached in the spirit of Christian generosity. Treasurers have been invited to a series of meetings which have been well attended. The meetings were structured around the principles of the gospel which gave the meetings a focus that might not otherwise be present in a meeting about financial matters.
New software is being developed which will reduce the administrative burden for our treasurers and ensure consistency throughout the diocese and province.
The arrangements for paying for water and sewerage services will change from 2017 when the DBF will take over responsibility for administering the payments. Currently, this obligation is incumbent on each individual PCC. The DBF is also piloting the centralisation of clergy expenses in three Mission Areas in 2017. If the pilot is successful, the DBF will also take responsibility for checking and paying clergy working expenses. Reimbursement for these expenses will be claimed via the Mission Area Share mechanism.
13. Casual Vacancy on the Diocesan Board of Finance
A document to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
Mrs Diane McCarthy reported that the retirement of Revd Jackie Carter has caused a casual vacancy on the Diocesan Board of Finance for an elected cleric representing the Archdeaconry of Wrexham to serve until 31 May 2017.
Revd Huw Butler, Vicar of Llay, Rossett and Isycoed has been proposed to fill the vacancy and has indicated that he would be willing to accept the appointment.
The proposal was put to the vote:
For:33
Against:0
Abstain:0
Result: Revd Huw Butler was elected as a member of the Diocesan Board of Finance for the remainder of the current triennium
14. Provincial Reports to Standing Committee
Documents to accompany this item had been circulated in advance
a) Report from the Governing Body
The Governing Body’s publication ‘Highlights’ was circulated
b) Report from the Representative Body
A resumé of the last meeting of the Representative Body was circulated
c) Report from the Bench of Bishops
The Bishop provided an update on the matters discussed at the last meeting of the Bench of Bishops, including reference to the recent significant appointment of the first female Bishop in the Church in Wales. Revd Canon Joanna Penberthy will become the Bishop of St Davids in the new year.
15. Any other business
The Bishop encouraged members to report back to their Mission Areas about the matters discussed at the meeting. Karen Maurice, Diocesan Communications Officer, will be preparing a Bulletin of the key points from the meeting in the next 48 hours to help representatives with this task. The Bulleting will be emailed to all members of the Committee and will also be published on the diocesan website. The Bishop’s Advent Message has also been released and should be read out at the principal act of worship on Advent Sunday.
16. Date of next meeting
Wednesday 29 March 2017 at St Andrew’s Church and Community Hub, Garden City CH5 2HN
The meeting closed with a prayer
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