Nuneaton Deanery Synod – Weddington Church 17 October 2013
The meeting was attended by 26 members; there were 12 apologies
Introduction
Richard Hare introduced the synod and outlined the topics for discussion and handed over to Rev Don Jones, The Vicar.
What’s happening in Weddington
Don welcomed the synod to Weddington and led members in the Diocesan Prayer.
Don has been at Weddington for the last ten years since Barry Jacques left. The benefice also includes St Nicolas and Caldecote churches.
A Joint Ministry Leadership Team was established for the benefice and is still in place today. One of Weddington’s Churchwardens, Terry Laight is studying the Bishop’s Certificate in Discipleship and has written five hundred words as part of his studies; Don read this out to the meeting
Groups at Weddington include Mothers & Toddlers, Church Wives, The Pudding club, a baptism visiting team and also gardening for the elderly. The parish is involved in the local Food bank and also offered Weddington hall as one venue for the proposed Nuneaton night shelter. There is a perceived need to revive links with local primary school. The congregation is consulted on issues like the night shelter and will therefore hopefully become involved.
The three parts of the Diocesan vision have been the aspects the parish has tried to follow over the years. The Church building is currently surrounded by fields but 1700 homes are planned to be built in the next five years presenting a massive opportunity to engage with the wider community.
Finally, Don invited everyone to look at the pews and backs designed by Jim Kirkwood and carried out by the ladies of the parish. Don also introduced Martin Butt, a retired vicar from Lichfield Diocese who has settled in the area
Clergy deployment
The discussion centred in particular around Mancetter and Atherstone, currently in interregnum. When Paul Harris retired, it was planned that Mancetter & Atherstone would join together with Tony Tooby as incumbent. Archdeacon Morris’ plan was that Tony should stay at Mancetter, and then Don Jones would retire early and become an associate minster at Atherstone. Assuming the congregations at St Nicolas, Weddington & Caldecote and the patron of St Nicolas were all happy, Kelly Betteridge would then become vicar of St Nicolas.
Don would then use his expertise on building projects at Atherstone leading up to his actual retirement. In the meantime, a curate with a background in projects associated with old buildings would be assigned as curate at Hartshill & Galley Common but seconded to Atherstone when priested and use his expertise there. If he can then grow the church, we might be in the position for him to become the incumbent there.
These proposals were then discussed by the synod:
Heather Barnes said that she had only just met the proposed curate.
Frank Seldon expressed concern about the potential lack of overlap between Don and the proposed curate.
Don hopes to start at Atherstone in March or before but is currently waiting for dates from Archdeacon Morris and The Diocese.
The new curate will live in Atherstone vicarage.
Several members wondered if we are expecting this new curate to be “superman”
Proposal on Deanery Fees
The proposal was chaired by Peter Rogers.
Richard Hare proposed that the assigned fees credited to the deanery should be credited against the Deanery Share rather than against individual parishes for the purpose of parish share allocation.
Following discussions, it was agreed to vote on the proposal at the meeting. There were twelve votes for the proposal, none against and six abstentions indicated
Healthy Churches
A leaflet on health Churches was distributed. Richard Hare apologised that Martin Saxby, Healthy Churches Mentor was unable to attend due to illness but that he had discussed Martin’s proposals for the meeting. Martin intended to introduce a new survey process with 85 questions which can be used by parishes as a means of producing a score for the eight qualities for their church. Richard reported that the survey was done at All Saints, Bedworth the previous week, it took half an hour and they had nice biscuits. Look out; the survey is coming to a church near you!
The members then voted on their strong and weak areas and following a break for coffee and tea, split up into groups to discuss the Qualities with the highest votes following which they were discussed in plenary session
Plenary Discussions
Frank Seldon reported on the group discussing Holistic Small Groups; all members perceived this as their weakest area. It was thought that people were reluctant to open up their houses to strangers; this was thought to be cultural.
The Inspiring Worship group used the word “encounter” they felt that they wanted to leave their worship having encountered God. Our buildings were thought of as a potential problem.
There was a lot of discussion about children in church and their schools encouraging children to go to church.
Messy church has been successful in a small number of parishes although it is early days (two years) but for the attendees, Messy Church is their Church. There is a book available on “Messy Discipleship”
The meeting closed at 9:30 pm following a short act of worship
Peter Rogers
Lay Chair