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INTRODUCTION
The June 2003 Deanery Synod was held in Thorncombe
Village Hall on Thursday 12th June at 7:30pm.
The Rural Dean welcomed all the
Synod members, and Christina Ballinger who would be presenting “Somerset
Food Links” at Minute 4 below. Prayers were led by Ernie Chivers,
Vicar of Thorncombe.
PRESENT:
The Rural
Dean - The Rev Nigel Whinney
The Lay
Chairman - Mrs Catherine Cavender
House of
Clergy - 7 with 1 Apology
House of
Laity - 36 with 13 Apologies
Visitors: -
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Minutes of the last meeting (10th
February2003) having been circulated to the Synod membership with the
Agenda for this meeting, were, after consultation, approved and signed as
a correct record.
MATTERS ARISING:
i.
Minute 4 d) Future Dates: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the
Diocesan Healing Adviser had not been able to attend the Deanery Healing
Service at Combe St.Nicholas on 8th June; Phil Regan admirably
filled the gap and promised to advise Parish Clergy of any appropriate
follow up.
ii.
Minute 4 d) Future
Dates: 27th July 2003 Deanery Evensong will be at Merriott
Church at 6pm. Bishop Peter preaching; There would be a wine and
cheese reception after the service. All are welcome.
SOMERSET FOOD LINKS:
Christina
Ballinger, the Local Food Project Officer, presented enthusiastically the
different ways in which local food production and sales are being
developed to enhance the local economy and sense of community by the
Somerset Food Links. There has been a significant growth and value of the
local food Co-Ops. Local businesses have been targeted to buy and sell
more local, including organic, produce; local communities are being
encouraged to take on allotments, and schools are being encouraged to
support local industries rather than multi-nationals, not an easy option
with tight budgets. Everybody can participate in the scheme by changing
buying habits and by becoming more aware that buying from local suppliers
recycles the money locally rather than for the profit of other areas of
the UK and Europe. The Scheme is funded by the District and County
Councils and the Health Promotion Board and is linked with the Farmers’
Markets. Christina answered questions from the floor, and was thanked
for her valuable contribution to the Synod. Her e-mail: christinab@foodlinks.org.uk
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Graham
Tout advised Synod that there had been a very worthwhile informal meeting
of Parish Treasurers to share mutual problems and become more aware of how
the Church is funded.. PCCs need to communicate this to the General Public
who are largely ill- or uninformed on such matters. There is a
significant and disturbing number of parishes who are using their reserves
to pay their Common Fund (formerly Quota). There was much discussion re
Graham’s suggestion of a levy of £10 per parish to meet Deanery Synod
administration. It was agreed that the matter would be raised by the reps
in their own PCCs and report back to the October 2003 Synod, when a vote
would be taken
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SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Sr.Phyllis
asked that new representatives advise her of their names, address with
Post Code, parish, phone number and e-mail. To economise, Agendas and
Minutes will be sent e-mail as far as possible, though occasionally (eg
when election information or pre-printed fliers need to be sent) they will
be sent by post.
DIOCESAN SYNOD ELECTIONS:
When
sufficient nominations for both Houses had been received, voting was
unnecessary, and the following elections made:
House of Clergy
Nigel
Whinney
Stephen
Kivett
Jenny
Langdown
David Jasper
Andrew
Tatham
Alan Elwood
House of Laity
Mrs
Catherine Cavender
Mr Ross Coad
Mr John
Ferguson
Mrs Rosemary
Tout
Mr Peter
Bryans
Mrs Diana
Kershaw
OPEN FORUM:
As an introduction to this part of the Synod, Nigel Whinney
commended the Annual Report of the Church Commissioners and our own
Diocesan 50 Finance Facts. The 2004 Diocesan Budget, to be considered
at the July Diocesan Synod, reflects efforts at all levels to economise,
even though the Common Fund contribution will probably still need to be
increased by 9.3%. The Rural Dean reported that the final figure to be
presented to Diocesan Synod would in fact be less than this. It was also
noted that in our Diocese the worshipper gives an average £3.40 per week
in cash, Planned Giving contributors £5.15 per week, and those using the
Gift Aid scheme £5.77 – all well below the national average.
The
topics/questions for the Open Forum came in 4 categories: Finance,
Mission, Indemnity and Others.
i. Finance:
The 2003
increase in the Common Fund has been particularly burdensome; some
parishes are using reserves to meet their obligations -–not wise
stewardship. The potentially significant financial and legal obligations
arising out of Health & Safety and Disability Discrimination Acts are of
growing concern.
“If parishes
had more people, money would not be a problem”.
“Diocese has
engaged in a tough scrutiny of its expenditure to cut costs”.
Common Fund,
Parish Share and Quota are synonymous.
FIRST TO THE LORD
:It
has 4 strands:
a) Changing
Lives – which will be the subject of an evening led by Bp.Peter at
Holywood School, Chard on
3 March 2004.
b)
reviewing expenditure and minimum stipendiary ministry, to sustain present
life, cost of administration;
c)
equipping preachers –Archdeaconry training day on 20 November 2003 at
St.James Church , Taunton in the morning, and at Nether Stowey in the
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d)
Sharing the Challenge – options: PCCS to decide how to approach members re
stewardship or to use a Diocesan scheme. NB Our Deanery Synod on 21st
October 2003 will concentrate on FIRST TO THE LORD and Stephen Lynas will lead this.
It was agreed to invite PCC Treasurers to the Synod specially for
this. Visiting/downloading the First To The Lord website will be
beneficial.
First To The
Lord” should be about changing attitudes and generosity, and not
££££££££s”
“What is
the mission of the Church?”
ii. Mission:
Much of this
had been alluded to under Finance..
“How do we
take the Gospel to outsiders?”
“The term
’worker-priest’ is probably a more positive one than ‘non-stipendiary
priest’.”
“How do we
balance getting the people IN and taking the Word OUT?”
“We have to
be the living Christ in the world.”
Rural
Sunrise
is a Christian programme for children – perhaps more interest can be
raised locally.
“Whatever
the level and volume of children’s work, on-going encouragement is
essential.”
“This year’s
Diocesan Children’s Days have been oversubscribed.”
“Need energy
for both Schools and Sunday Schools” and “to use more computers and music
in children’s work.”
“Need to
integrate some of the eucharistic liturgy in children’s programmes so they
become familiar with it.”
“Make more
of the ‘popular’ services: Easter, Harvest, Christingle.”
iii. Indemnity:
Personal
liability of PCC members under H & S obligations is a matter of great
concern.. Nigel referred to information sent him by the EIG
(Ecclesiastical Insurance Group) which highlights the difficulties and
confusion facing Parishes at this time. The main text of this paper is
attached to the Minutes.
iv.
Others: Facilities for the Disabled.
Nigel
reported that as he visits the Parishes he makes a cursory glance at the
access/loop systems etc to ensure parishes are “on board” with the
legislation which will be operative next year. The Deanery Handbook is
helpful in this regard. Parishes need to make an audit of facilities and
risk assessment by October 2004, and Synod representatives should remind
PCCs of this. One of the key questions when an accident occurs is: ”Have
you taken reasonable care?”
Future Deanery
Synod Meetings:
21 October
2003 – 7:30pm Village Hall, Hinton St.George
The
Synod closed with the saying of the Grace at 9.15pm
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