Diocese of Southwark

Diocese of Southwark

Deanery Synod

Induction Pack

Welcome to the

Deanery Synod

In this pack you will find:

· An introduction to the Deanery Synod

· A map of the Diocese of Southwark

· The Functions of the Deanery Synod

· A diagram of how the Deanery Synod links to the Diocese

· A checklist for Synod members

· Communication – ways for the Synod to keep in touch

· Setting Ground rules

· What do I bring to the Synod?

· A list of members with contact details

· Minutes of the last Synod meeting.

Please ask if there is any more information that would help you to take part more effectively.

The Deanery Synod

What is it?

This Synod is the body which reflects on issues wider than the routine business of a PCC, and seeks to bring the local Anglican churches closer together in mission and service. This map shows all the Deaneries in the Diocese of Southwark.

This is the ______Deanery

It consists of the parishes of:

Ø ______

The Area Dean is always an incumbent from one of the parishes, and is currently ______. The lay chair is elected by lay members of the Synod, and is currently ______.

Who is on it?

All of the incumbents of the Anglican churches in the deanery are members of the Synod. In addition, each church elects lay representatives. Members of Deanery Synod must be on the electoral roll of their own church, and are automatically members of their church’s PCC. This year’s lay members are listed on the attached sheet.

The Functions of the

Deanery Synod

The five functions of the Synod are set out in the Synodical Government Measure 1969. A Measure is equivalent to an Act of Parliament.

1 To consider matters concerning the Church of England and the making of provision for such matters in relation to the deanery, and the consideration and expression of the Synod’s opinion on any other matters of religious or public interest.

2 To bring together the views of the parishes of the deanery on common problems, the discussion and formulation of common policies on those problems, the fostering of a sense of community and interdependence among the parishes, and generally the promotion in the deanery of the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

3 To make known and so far as appropriate put into effect any provision made by the Diocesan Synod.

4 To consider the business of Diocesan Synod, and particularly any matters referred to that synod by General Synod, and to sound parochial opinion whenever the Deanery Synod is required or considers it appropriate to do so.

5 To raise such matters as the Deanery Synod considers appropriate with the Diocesan Synod.

How the Deanery Synod links to the Diocese - 2009

DEANERY SYNOD:

BEING INCLUSIVE

Setting Ground rules

One way to encourage participation and including people in the business of the Synod is to establish some ground rules at the beginning of each year. These help to ensure that members are working together with a common and agreed focus, structure and set of assumptions, and those individual members’ needs, personalities and preferences are acknowledged and taken into account. Your ground rules give you a reference point to which you can refer back if you run into difficulties.

Ground rules may include

Agreement about:

v expectations from members

eg to give priority to meetings, read papers in advance, give apologies if unable to attend

v how meetings are structured

eg time keeping, including start and finish time

v how information shared is handled

eg taking and circulating minutes, what is confidential to the Synod

v what is discussed at meetings

eg how to get something on the agenda

v when meetings will be held, to ensure maximum attendance and so that no member is always excluded

eg day of the week, time of day

v what expenses are paid, and how they are to be paid

eg travel, telephone, child care costs

v balanced participation by members, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute during meetings

eg time limit on speaking, only allowed to speak so many times on an issue

v values for meetings

eg all contributions will be heard, making ‘I’ rather than ‘we’ statements, all members valued equally

Taking account of what people want to say about themselves:

v how they function in a group

eg ‘I need time to think about things’, ‘I talk too much’

v their specific conditions

eg ‘I have a hearing loss’, ‘I am epileptic, and what to do if I have a seizure’

v their individual needs

eg ‘I need a cigarette break every hour’, ‘I have no transport/childcare’

Questions to ask myself Yes No

Can I attend meetings regularly? o o

Can I read papers before they are sent out? o o

Are my out of pocket expenses reimbursed? o o

Do I need transport to or from meetings? o o

Is there anything about me that it would be helpful for others to know?

A CHECKLIST FOR SYNOD MEMBERS

At the first meeting of a new synod, or when new members come on board, members may find it helpful to check out what they know and what they need to find out about their responsibilities as members, and how the synod is organised.

Organisation Know Find Out

Who takes the chair? o o

Who takes the minutes? o o

How often do meetings take place? – where,
and how long? o o

Who do you tell if you cannot come? o o

How is the agenda set? – how do you get
an item put on it? o o

When are minutes sent out? o o

When are papers for the next meeting sent out? o o

How are decisions made? o o

Background information

Have I got a list of members’ names and addresses? o o

Have I got a copy of the minutes of

the previous meeting? o o

Whom do I ask if I need to know anything? o o

My responsibilities

How do I take matters from my PCC to Synod? o o

How do I report from Synod to my PCC? o o

Do I know who I am representing?

(myself, church, constituency) o o

This year’s work

Are their goals and priorities already set for this year? o o

Is there a budget? o o

How will the work be reviewed? o o

How will future plans be made? o o

Deanery Synods

Communication: ways to keep in touch

From the Synod to the Parish Church:

· Regular reporting slot on every PCC

· Minutes of Synod meetings on the church notice board

· Announcements in church and on pew sheets of deanery events

· Making the congregation aware of which deanery they are part of, and who are their representatives

From the Parish Church to the Synod:

· Elections every three years from the APCM

· Putting on the Synod agenda matters raised at PCC meetings of deanery significance

Between the Synod and the Episcopal Area:

· Attendance of the Area Dean and Lay Chair at Area Forum meetings

· Contributing the views and issues of the deanery through the Forum

· Taking back to Synod information about Area events and concerns

· Inviting members of the Area Team to meetings as appropriate, and ensuring their roles are known

· Encouraging parishes to use the Resource Exchange and attend Area events and training

Between Diocesan and General Synod and Deanery Synod:

· Election of deanery representatives, and their attendance at Diocesan Synod

· Membership of Deanery Synod representatives on diocesan boards and reporting and raising of issues both ways

· Keeping in touch with General Synod discussions and reports, and ensuring these are discussed at deanery level, and responses are made as required.

What Do I Bring To The Synod?

All members have a part to play and different gifts, abilities and experience to contribute. The Synod will work at its best and encourage everyone’s participation if these are shared.

Ability

What I can do

Experience Knowledge

What I’ve done What I know about

Passion Representation

What I care about What groups I speak for

E.g. a particular church tradition or position,

my congregation and its needs, my parish

and its needs, a minority view, e.g. young

people, black people?