‘.......Deaneries?’ You may or may not have been aware
of the publication of the Maidstone Deanery Mission Plan.
There should be copies available in the churches. On the
other hand you may ask ‘What have Deaneries got to
do with me?’ It seems that Deaneries will
become increasingly important in future years, in some
areas more so than others depending on geographical or
social issues. A Deanery is a group of parishes and has
an ‘Area Dean’ who is appointed by the Bishop
to supervise and give pastoral support. Within the
Anglican structure of Synodical government, the deanery
is the first Synodical level: each deanery has its own
synod, of which the rural or area dean is a chairperson,
and to which each parish sends representatives. Maidstone Deanery comprises: All Saints Loose, All Saints with
St Philip, Maidstone and St Stephen, Tovil, Christ Church
Parkwood St Andrew Barming Heath, St Faith Maidstone
St Luke Maidstone St Martin Shepway with St Hilary
Senacre St Michael and All Angels Maidstone St Nicholas
Allington with St Peter Maidstone, St Paul Maidstone The Area Dean is The Reverend
Karen Gorham of Deanery
Pastoral Group
The Deanery Pastoral Group is made
up of representatives from each Parish, when possible an
equal number of Clergy and Lay members.. The group will
meet approximately four times a year and is accountable
to Deanery Synod. Primarily the group, in discussion with
the parishes, is there to create and nurture a Deanery
strategy for the deployment of its resources, both clergy
and local people. It can develop training policies and
programmes for the Deanery. In considering the Deanery as
a whole it will look at what areas of ministry are being
neglected or need to be strengthened. The Pastoral Group has met once to
date. It is important to remember that the group is not
about techniques or programmes but about relationships.
Time was spent getting to know not just one another but
also each parish. It is about looking and listening to
see where God is at work amongst us, sharing what’s
going on in our churches and allowing ‘church’
to emerge in perhaps unexpected places.
This year there will be new
elections necessary for parish representatives on Deanery
Synod. Please consider whether this might be something
for you. It is an important role and hopefully during the
next years one which will bear much fruit in spreading
the I will report back again after the
next meeting in March. Your representative on Deanery
Synod and the Deanery Pastoral Group - Elizabeth Bussmann |