Meeting of The United Reformed Church Wessex Synod - Avenue St Andrew's URC at
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Meeting of
The United Reformed Church
Wessex Synod
at
Avenue St Andrew’s URC
The Avenue
Southampton
SO17 1XQ
Saturday 17th March 2018INDEX
PAGE SUBJECT
3 Agenda
4 Listing of Ordinands and Ministerial Changes
5 Obituary of David Bunney
6 Obituary of Sidney Woodget
7 Minutes of November meeting of Synod
13 Synod Executive Report
14 Resolutions 1 and 2
15 Synod Nominations
20 Ministries & Learning Committee Report
22 Silence & Retreats Group Report
23 URC (Wessex) Trust Ltd Report
26 Ministry & Mission Fund Report
27 Mission & Outreach Committee Report
28 Mission Development Group Report
29 World Church Group Report
32 Church & Society Group Report
33 Children’s & Youth Work Committee Report
34 Synod Youth Executive Report
2AGENDA
10:00 Arrivals and Coffee
10:30 Synod constituted by the Moderator
Health & Safety announcements
Opening Worship Sarah Hall and Pat Oliver
11:00 Welcome to Ecumenical Visitors and new members of Synod Moderator
Ministry and Pastoral News including Jubilee Ministers
Apologies
Minutes of Synod held on 18th November 2017 and matters arising
Order of business
11:20 Synod Executive Report Clerk
11:25 Resolution 1 Synod Appointments Clerk
Resolution 2 Representatives to General Assembly
11:30 Synod Strategy Moderator
11:40 Mission and Outreach – including Mission Development, Church and Tim Searle, David
Society and World Church Groups Wrighton, Ian Simpson
11:55 Le Weekend Peter Pay
12:00 Zambia link and visitor, Revd Lordwell Siame Nigel Appleton
12:20 Children’s and Youth Work Committee John Downing
12:30 Sharing Good News
12:50 Administration and Notices Clerk
12:55 Ballot for Moderators of General Assembly
1:00 LUNCH
Including Property and Employment Surgeries
2pm Sharing Good News
2.20 Synod Youth Executive SYE members
2.35 Ministries and Learning Committee Phyllis Williams
2:45 Presentation introducing Stepwise DSOs
3:15 Wessex Trust Chris Evans
3.30 Any remaindered business
3:50 Thanks and Closing worship Moderator
Tea and departures
Next meeting of Synod: Saturday 13th October 2018 at Church on the Heath, Elvetham Heath
3LISTING OF ORDINANDS AND MINISTERIAL CHANGES
Ordinands training for Ministry
COLLEGE/COURSE
Paul Stein Westminster College (4th year)
Helen Everard Northern College (3rd year)
Cara Heafey Northern College (1st year)
Inductions
25th November Wilbert Sayimani from West Midlands Synod to Richmond Hill St Andrew’s,
Bournemouth.
th
14 January Graham Hoslett inducted at Wonersh (alongside Westborough and Normandy).
th
27 January Andy Hall from North Western Synod to Broadstone & Blandford Forum.
4th March Richard Bittleston (NIPC) inducted at Aston Tirrold (2yr appointment at 25%).
Retirements
30th November Dick Wolff retired from Oxford: Collinwood Road and Temple Cowley and
remains in the Synod.
Jubilee Ministers
50th anniversary Jeffrey Evans
50th anniversary Julian Macro
50th anniversary Duncan Wilson
50th anniversary David Netherwood
50th anniversary Frank Beattie
50th anniversary David Langford
60th anniversary Samuel Williams
60th anniversary Alan Green
Deaths
13th December Albert Molineaux (obituary to follow)
26th December David Bunney
4th January Stella Sivyour (obituary to follow)
9th January Sidney Woodget
Church Amalgamations
27th March 2017 Petersfield URC and St Paul’s Liss amalgamated to become Petersfield & Liss URC
Changes before next Synod
21st April Duncan Goldie from Eastern Synod to be inducted at Sherborne and Shaftesbury
(with oversight of Mere URC and Wincanton Methodist Church)
st
31 May Nick Adlem retires from Longham and Three Legged Cross and remains in the
Synod.
th
30 June Joshua Thomas to be ordained and inducted to Petersfield and Liss, with Bordon.
st
21 July Helen Garton to be inducted to St Columba’s and Cumnor in Oxford.
31st August Jill Thornton will end her role as Interim Minister as Portsmouth Road Guildford
and remain in the Synod.
Summer Mark Robinson from Yorkshire Synod to be inducted at the South West Hants
Group.
Summer Tessa Henry-Robinson to be ordained and inducted to the Southampton East
Group.
4OBITUARIES
The following obituaries will be part of “Celebrated Lives”
which is a collection of life stories to appear with
the 2019 edition of the URC Year Book
David Robert Bunney
18 April 1944 - 26 December 2017 (aged 73)
Soham 1977-87; Newbury Group 1988-95; Christchurch, Sudbury, Cavendish & Long Melford
1995-2004; St Luke’s, Bedford 2004-08; & Cardington, Bedford 2007-09.
David Bunney had a fastidious attention to detail which was a barrier to any free-thinker. In a
piece of writing, the correct punctuation mark – even a comma for a full stop – was essential. The
detailed content of his self-typed CV was almost beyond belief.
David’s university experience in Hull broadened his mind from the academic study of German and
French into rowing and singing. For several years he taught languages at King's School, Ely; that
was a delight for him, not least because it gave him access to the clerical and musical life within Ely
cathedral.
Ever since I first knew David, and surely before then, he brought together his dual interests in
German and singing to recital and opera stages, as a dedication rather than a hobby. The
outworking of his strong Christian conviction, his eloquent fully-scripted sermons and his pastoral
care saw him become the lay pastor of Soham United Reformed Church; four years later he was
ordained in that church – at a service in which I was his guiding hand.
Throughout his ministry, he was a warm and gentle person, oozing pastoral care. He was a keen
committee man, notably as a member of the Wessex Synod pastoral committee and the Silence
and Retreats group. He was said to be the longest-serving marker for TLS, the URC’s Training for
Learning and Serving programme.
At the end of his full time ministry, David and his wife, Edna, moved to Hungerford, Berkshire,
where he became well-liked. Their house was ideal. It had a top floor bedroom, in which David
constructed a large model railway display, and where, from a comfortable armchair, he could see
traffic on the main railway line. Alas, three years later, Edna, who had lovingly cared for him for 42
years, and had brought up their daughters, Sara and Anna-May, died after a long and debilitating
illness.
David's interests covered a wide spectrum: photography, model railways, travelling by train,
reading, and listening to and performing classical music. In his life-style he was methodical,
dependable and patient. After his death, his close friend, Pauline, commented that 'his streak of
vanity was absurd but oddly loveable'. His study of theology was to help him inform the practical
(rather than the theoretical) reason for belief in God.
Nigel Lemon, who, like David, was ordained as a result of the 1978 General Assembly Resolution
about local pastors, reports that with David’s death there were probably only eight or nine still
surviving. They were in effect lay ministers, authorised to act as such to only their own
congregation. David later spent a year at Westminster College, after ordination, allowing him to be
move to other pastorates.
Brian Sturtridge, with additional information from Nigel Lemon
5Sidney George Woodget
29 November 1918 - 9 January 2018 (aged 99)
Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion 1948-50; Immanuel, Basingstoke 1951-55; & Tadley 1952-
55; Sarisbury Green & Warsash 1955-62; Southwick 1962-67; Westcliff, Bridgwater Drive &
Eastwood 1968-76; Darnall, Sheffield 1976-84.
People remember Sidney Woodget as a man with a loving, caring pastoral nature, who stood by
them, in both good and difficult times. Although his faith was always evident, in the 1970s he
discovered the experience of renewal and the reality of the Holy Spirit, which transformed his life.
Sidney was born in Stoke Newington, London, became a Christian in his teens, and was baptised at
a local Baptist church.
At the outbreak of war in 1939, he went before a tribunal to argue that he was a conscientious
objector and was assigned to forestry work. He enjoyed fellowship with Brethren Christians and
preached in New Forest churches.
After the war, he trained for ministry at All Nations Bible College. He met Kathleen at a Christmas
house party and they were married in 1948.
Sidney took up the pastorate of Zion Chapel, linked to the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion, at
East Grinstead, Sussex. Kathleen worked as a dental receptionist and they lived in a flat over the
surgery. When their son, Trevor, was born in 1950, and Kathleen stopped working, they had to
leave the flat. They moved to Hampshire, first to Basingstoke, where their daughter Joy was born,
and then to Warsash and Sarisbury Green Congregational churches. To make ends meet, they
provided accommodation for students at what is now Warsash Maritime Academy.
There were further moves, to Southwick, Sussex, and then to Westcliff-on-Sea, in Essex, and finally
to Darnall United Reformed Church, Sheffield which became united in partnership with Anglicans
and Methodists. Here, Sidney was officially ‘recognised and regarded’ by the Methodist
Conference.
After retirement, he and Kathleen remained in Sheffield until 2007, when they moved back to
Basingstoke to be nearer Trevor. Kathleen had been ill with Alzheimer’s disease and died in 2008.
Sidney had many interests, including classical music, and a love of words, whether Greek, Russian,
Hebrew or English, and he was passionate about walking. As a child of seven, Trevor remembers
Bank Holidays, going on the bus into the New Forest, and walking seven or eight miles as Sidney
followed a compass bearing across heath land with poorly defined tracks.
The last walk they did together was in the Peak District, when Sidney was 88, covering five miles
before lunch and a further five afterwards. For most of the walk, Sidney was at the front of the
group!
Written from the memories of Trevor Woodget, Sidney’s son
6MINUTES of the meeting of WESSEX SYNOD on Saturday 18th November 2017 at High Cross
Church, Camberley.
The Moderator, the Revd. Clare Downing, welcomed members to the meeting and constituted the
Synod. The Revds. Ray Stanyon and Mary Thomas led worship, based on the themes of
Remembrance and Walking the Way. Following this, the Moderator explained that for this “Synod
Together” there would be significant parts of the day when the children would be joining the
meeting and other times when children and adults could choose which parallel session in which to
participate.
Attendance
32 URC Ministers and CRCWs
67 Church representatives
0 Ministers of other denominations
7 Retired Ministers
0 Ordinands
19 Others holding Synod appointments
25 Visitors
150 Total
17S26 Ecumenical visitors and new members of Synod: The Moderator brought apologies from
several ecumenical visitors but was pleased to welcome the Revd. Andrew Reed from the Feltham
and Staines Methodist Circuit. A message from Olivier Filhol, President of the Nord Normandie
Region of L’Eglise Protestante Unie de France, was read.
She later welcomed those attending Synod for the first time.
17S27 Ministry and pastoral news:
a. The Moderator welcomed the Revds. Michael Hodgson (Walton-on-Thames and
Weybridge) and Tim Clarke (IBEX and Buckland, Portsmouth) who had been inducted since
the last Synod meeting. She also mentioned the Revd. Paul O’Connor, who had been
ordained and inducted to the Christchurch Group but had sent his apologies.
b. Welcomes were also extended to James Willett, the new youth worker at Cornerstone
(Hythe URC); Dan Morrell, URC Youth Assembly Moderator; and Sam Richards, the new
head of URC Children’s and Youth Work.
c. Corrections were noted to the listing of ministerial changes: the Revd. Wilbert (not Wilfred)
Sayimani to be inducted to Richmond Hill St. Andrew’s, Bournemouth; the Revd. Graham
Hoslett has still to be called to Wonersh; and the Revd. Tim Clarke was previously in
Southern Synod, not Thames North.
The Moderator led the Synod in prayer for all these people and for others currently unwell.
She then mentioned the obituaries of four ministers who had died and also churches undergoing
major changes: the Gosport churches have united and Temple Cowley URC has closed. She led
Synod in prayer for these situations.
Health and Safety announcements were made by the Synod Clerk, Mrs. Sue Brown.
717S28 Apologies were received from
16 URC Ministers and CRCWs
11 Church representatives
0 Ministers of other denominations
1 Ordinand
11 Retired Ministers
9 Others
48 Total
17S29 Minutes of the last meeting: The Minutes of the meeting held on 18th March 2017 were
taken as read, approved by consensus and signed as a correct record.
17S30: Matters arising:
a) Big Day Out – The Moderator reported that if this event had been just a Wessex gathering
there would have been enough people to make it viable. It was not, however, viable as a
larger event including South Western Synod and it was not feasible at that stage to make it
a Wessex-only event.
b) Good News stories – Graeme Panting of Thatcham URC reiterated his request for churches
to send their Good News stories to the editor of Reform.
17S31 Order of business: The Synod Clerk said that there were no expected changes to the
agenda.
The Moderator then explained how consensus decision making works.
17S32 Synod Executive Report: The Synod Clerk presented the report, drawing attention to the
Area Gatherings which had started work on revising the Synod Strategy. She asked for churches to
offer to host future Gatherings.
The report was accepted by consensus.
The Synod Clerk brought an expanded Resolution 1:
RESOLUTION 1
Wessex Synod approves the appointment of Dr. Richard Hall as Convenor of the Synod
Pastoral Committee – South West, of the Revd. Tim Searle as Convenor of the Mission
Development Group, and of the Revd. John Downing as Convenor of the Children’s and
Youth Work Committee.
The resolution was agreed by consensus.
The Clerk then drew attention to the paper in churches’ Synod pack about General Assembly
Moderator nominations and asked that this be taken back to churches, with particular reference
to the need for elders to be nominated for the post of Lay Moderator.
17S33 Ministries and Learning Committee: Phyllis Williams presented the report, highlighting
Ministerial Accompanied Self Assessment (MASA) and asking elders to encourage their ministers
to use this tool.
She moved on to a presentation of the new “Step-by-step guide for churches” regarding
authorisations for lay leadership at the sacraments. This will be put on the website in due course.
8Following an enquiry about something similar to MASA for lay preachers, the Revd. Mary Thomas
felt that this could be set up if there was sufficient interest. There was also a plea to encourage
URC members to train as lay preachers.
There were points of clarification regarding the authorisation of lay leaders at the sacraments in
specific circumstances, especially where a minister is available regularly.
The report was accepted by consensus.
17S34 “If Only They Knew”: The Moderator welcomed Dan Morrell, the URC Youth Assembly
Moderator, and invited him to speak to Synod Together, including the children and young people.
Dan spoke of his job to serve as an advocate for young people, whose voices need to be heard in
their passion for our world and church. He challenged Synod about how children and young
people are welcomed and felt that there can be expressions of church even if people are not
actually in a church. He was passionate about Youth Assembly and about telling stories, and he
pleaded with Synod to take children and young people seriously.
The Moderator invited Sam Richards, the new head of URC Children’s and Youth Work to join Dan,
then prayed for them.
17S35 Notices:
a) The Revd. Michael Hopkins advertised his 2020 trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play.
b) The Revd. Ruth Dillon wanted to make available her booklet on “Brexit, the Bible and the
Church”.
17S36 Workshops: Synod members split up into six separate workshops, which were:
1. How do we create disciples in our churches?
2. Discipleship in action at The Memory Tree Social Club
3. Getting on with it... taking another step as followers of Jesus
4. Unlocking the secrets of encouraging others
5. Celebrating good times!
6. Question Time with the Synod Employment Adviser
Synod then broke for lunch
When Synod reconvened the Moderator explained that there were two parallel sessions taking
place and that people, no matter what their age, were invited to choose “Exploring Discipleship”
with the CYDOs, or resolutions and talks which would continue in the Sanctuary.
17S37 URC (Wessex) Trust Ltd: Chris Evans spoke to the report, highlighting three matters.
Churches should let the Trust have insurance renewal documents if they have still been insuring
their manse themselves.
Queries about hiring issues should be sent to finance@urcwessex.org.uk and officers will, if
necessary meet churches in order to help.
It has been an immensely challenging year for the Trust and enormous gratitude was expressed to
Chris Evans, Ray Dunnett and Nigel Appleton for all their work in trying to get on top of the
workload. Churches were asked to continue to be patient as they await answers to their queries.
The report was accepted by consensus.
9Chris Evans brought Resolution 2:
RESOLUTION 2
Wessex Synod approves the changes proposed by the Wessex Trust to the grant-making
policy:
(a) to change the typical grant for a building project to 25% of total project costs, and
(b) to introduce a new category of grants in support of Audio Visual installations, with
100% of
the costs being offered for new loop systems and 50% of the costs being offered for all
other Audio Visual installations, subject to a maximum grant in any 5-year period of
£5,000.
Following questions about the total funds held by the Synod, Dr. Evans explained that it is
complicated but that the general principle followed by the Trust is to hold sufficient funds in
reserve to keep the office going and pay salaries, but to give the rest back to churches in the form
of grants, especially to more mission-minded churches. These grants can be increased as more
redundant properties are sold.
He answered an enquiry about the Synod view on lottery funding by saying that the Synod is
neutral on this, although it has reservations. However it respects individual churches’ rights on this
matter and notes that much funding for roof repairs comes through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The resolution was agreed by consensus.
Chris Evans brought the next resolution:
RESOLUTION 3
Wessex Synod approves the transfer of £200,000 from the General Fund to the Church
Mission Fund of the Wessex Trust.
The resolution was agreed by consensus.
Chris Evans introduced the next resolution by saying that it was part of the national scheme where
wealthier Synods (which include Wessex) help those who are struggling to make ends meet.
RESOLUTION 4
Wessex Synod approves a grant of £100,000 from the General Fund of the Wessex Trust to
support the URC’s Inter-Synod Resource Sharing.
The resolution was agreed by consensus.
17S38 Dementia Friendly Church: The Revd. Paul Bedford introduced Resolution 5 on behalf of
Fareham URC.
RESOLUTION 5
Wessex Synod
recognises the work being done in local churches to enrich the lives of people with
dementia and their families
commends the work of Dementia Action Alliance
encourages churches to work towards being recognised as Dementia Friendly
recommends “Developing a dementia friendly church. A practical guide” by
Livability. Available as a pdf via the internet (search by the title)
10Following a query about each church having an elder responsible for dementia, as suggested at a
recent training session at Canford Heath, Mary Thomas felt that this will come to a future Synod.
Regarding the idea of Dementia Friendly Church Awards to connect people and their ideas, Paul
Bedford suggested contacting the Dementia Action Alliance.
The resolution was agreed by consensus.
There will be a further mental health awareness training session in Spring 2018 at Woking URC.
17S39 Fairtrade issues: Christine McMillan introduced Resolution 6 on behalf of the Church and
Society Group.
RESOLUTION 6
As a Fairtrade Synod, Wessex Synod
commends the URC General Secretary, the Revd. John Proctor’s statement in
response to Sainsbury’s decision to drop the Fairtrade Mark from its own-brand
tea.
Challenges churches that display a Fairtrade certificate to visit the Fairtrade
Foundation website, study the 3 goals and decide whether they are still entitled to
say that they are a Fairtrade church.
Encourages churches who have not declared themselves as Fairtrade to visit the
Fairtrade Foundation website; view the (less than 2 min) ‘Don’t Feed Exploitation’
film and explore becoming a Fairtrade church.
The resolution was agreed by consensus.
17S40 Green Apostle and Eco Church: The Revd. Mike Shrubsole spoke about the procedure
needed to become an Eco Synod: register (this is in process), commission a group to help in the
process, write a Synod environmental policy and gain a number of local church recognitions. He
then went on to explain the process of becoming an eco church via the A Rocha website, which
has resource packs available and for which registration is free.
17S41 Walking the Way: The Revd. Fiona Thomas, URC Secretary for Education and Learning,
showed the short film which is downloadable from the URC website, then introduced her theme
using LICC’s idea of a 1% shift in affirming people in their mission from Monday to Saturday, not
just on a Sunday.
Resources available include the Holy Habits book, and the accompanying series of booklets
available from 18th January 2018. There will also be Stepwise, the successor to TLS, which will
begin to be rolled out from September 2018.
She stressed that Walking the Way is for the whole URC, growing closer to God in discipleship and
making more disciples.
17S42 Synod Together: Synod split into discussion groups to consider aspects of Walking the Way,
as well as whether future Synod meetings should continue to move around churches or move
towards meeting regularly in the same venues.
17S43 Child Friendly Church Awards: The Moderator presented a plaque to Guildford, Portsmouth
Road URC.
1117S44 Presenting Paddington Bear: Emily and Kathleen, two members of Synod Youth Executive,
introduced the idea of two boxes containing Paddington Bear and supporting documents going on
pilgrimage round the Synod to explore activities for young and not so young people in our
churches. Each church will have a box for a week and will record Paddington’s activities, as well as
taking photographs.
17S45 Thanks: The Moderator drew attention to the pictorial version of the Charter for Children in
the Church, which Fleet URC has brought for people to look at. She thanked the church for sharing
it with Synod.
The Moderator then thanked people for their contributions to the day and preparations for it:
Synod Youth Executive; CYDOs and their team; all who led groups, ran workshops or were
speakers; organist; High Cross church for their hospitality; staff and the wider team in the office;
and John Downing, who has taken over from Carol Rogers in organising the IT.
17S46 Closing Worship: The Moderator led worship, using the theme of Eating Together from the
Holy Habits book.
Synod closed at 16.15.
The next meeting is on Saturday 17th March 2018 at Avenue St. Andrew’s URC, Southampton.
12SYNOD EXECUTIVE REPORT
1. Committees
The Standing Committees continue to report regularly to the Synod Executive and Executive is
consulting with the Committees regarding updating the Synod Strategy. The three sub-groups
which make up the Mission and Outreach Committee have been looking at more effective
ways of working together.
2. Area Gatherings
The February Area Gatherings looked at taking “Walking the Way” forward in our churches.
The dates for the September Area Gatherings when we will hear about this year’s General
Assembly are:
Area September 2018
South West Thursday 13th (Parkstone)
North West Wednesday 19th
North East Wednesday 12th
South East Tuesday 18th (Totton)
3. Synod Strategy
Priorities have been explored by Executive, in area gatherings and by committees. We hope
the strategy will be finalised in time for October Synod. An update from the Moderator is the
next item on today’s Agenda.
4. Future Synod Meetings
We have been exploring this in various ways during 2017. The resulting agreement is that
March Synods will be fairly traditional but aiming to be accessible to young people aged 11+.
The autumn Synod will be suitable for children aged over 7, with workshops and greater
variety of presentation and discussion.
5. Child friendly Synod
Synod Executive and other committees have been addressing the questions raised by this
process and submitting their conclusions to the Child Friendly Synod steering group.
6. Safeguarding Officer
Executive has been working towards employing a Synod Safeguarding Officer (a half time
appointment) and the process is nearing completion.
7. General Assembly
a) A list of proposed representatives is attached for Synod approval. (Resolution 2). There are
a few remaining places for Ministers/CRCWs.
b) We have received two Nominations for the Ordained Moderator of General Assembly, and
one for the Lay Moderator. You have a paper listing the nominees.
Voting papers have also been distributed and you will be invited to use these to vote just
before we break for Lunch.
8. Appointments
We are pleased to have found volunteers prepared to fill many of our vacancies. Thank you to
all those who are serving in this way. A list of nominations is attached for approval
(Resolution 1).
Sue Brown
13RESOLUTION 1
Wessex Synod approves the list of Appointments in the Nominations paper.
RESOLUTION 2
Wessex Synod approves the list of representatives to General Assembly, and allows Synod Officers
to add further ministers/CRCWs
General Assembly Representatives
The current list of ministerial nominations to attend General Assembly 2018 are:
Lucy Brierley Sarah Hall Wilbert Sayimani
Peter Clark Graham Hoslett Ray Stanyon
Tim Clarke Tim Meachin 1 Vacancy
Trish Davis Martyn Neads
David Downing Pat Oliver
The lay nominations are:
Enala Bhebhe Christine Hardwick Margaret Telfer
Sue Brown Philip Le Fanu Alice Hoyle (under 26)
Wendy Dunnett Rosie Martin Maddy Loudon (under 26)
Lewin Cox Janet Meachin
Andrew Gibb Thelma Roberts
14SYNOD NOMINATIONS
Appointments for Synod March 2018
The following hold office or are nominated for office in the Synod. The date when the appointment is due to
end is recorded in brackets and unless otherwise stated is March. This paper is presented to the Synod
Meeting for adoption.
*new/renewed appointments for approval of Synod
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Synod Clerk Mrs Sue Brown (2020)
Assistant Synod Clerk Mrs Christine Hardwick (2020)
Synod Minutes Secretary Revd Chris Copley (2021)
Synod Treasurer Mr Peter Stevenson (2020)
Development & Support Officer North (Mission) Revd Ray Stanyon
Development & Support Officer South (Training) Revd Mary Thomas
Trust Executive Officer Mr Stuart MacLean
Trust Secretary Miss Carmen Jones
Accounts & Trust Administrator Mrs Kathy Swift
Property Officer North Mrs Nicola Werro
Property Officer South Mr Graham Barber
Children and Youth Development Officer (‘CYDO’) North Mr Philip Ray
South Mrs Ruth White
Employment Advisor Mrs Penny Thatcher
PA to Moderator and Clerk/Synod Secretary Mrs Deborah Walker
Development Team Administrator Ms Ruth Heine
APPOINTEES
Technical support to Synod meeting John Downing (2021)
DSO line manager Mrs Margaret Telfer (2019)
COMMITTEES AND GROUPS (members listed exclude all ex officio members)
Synod Executive Convener: Moderator
Secretary: Synod Clerk
Minute Secretary: Synod Minutes Secretary
Members: NW Revd Nigel Appleton (2019)
NE Mr Robin Gray (2022) *
SW Mr Terry Pearce (2022) *
SE Mrs Carol Rogers (2021)
Plus, Committee Conveners from: Children & Youth Work, Ministries & Learning and Mission &
Outreach and Wessex Trust and Synod Treasurer.
Nominations Group Convener: Synod Clerk
Secretary: Assistant Synod Clerk
Members: Synod Pastoral Committee Convenors
(or a named alternative)
One other person from each Area
(Chosen by Synod Pastoral Committees)
Mission & Outreach Committee:
Mission Development Group Convener Revd Tim Searle (2022) *
Secretary: Vacancy
Members: Revd John Lee (2021)
Revd Peter Southcombe (2020)
Mrs Sheila Thatcher (2019)
Vacancy
Rural Link : Revd Sue Litchfield (2019)
Fresh Expressions Advocate : Mrs Sheila Thatcher (2019)
15Church & Society Group: Convener: Vacancy
Secretary: Mr David Wrighton (2019)
Members: Revd Tim Clarke (2022) *
Ms Pat Oliver (2019)
Mr Brian Wilkins (2021)
Commitment for Life Advocate: Mrs Christine McMillan (2022) *
Inter-Faith Advocate: Vacancy
Racial Justice and Intercultural Ministry Advocate: Mrs Enala Bhebhe (2019)
Green Apostle: Revd Mike Shrubsole (2021)
World Church Group Convener: Mr Ian Simpson (2019)
Secretary: Mr Philip Bonnier (2020)*
European Partner Link Coordinator (France): Mr Peter Pay (2020)
Global Partner Link Coordinator (Zambia): Revd Nigel Appleton (2019)
Members: Miss Georgina Fensom (2020)
Revd Jabu Mdlalose (2021)
Mrs Helen Everard (2021)
Ministries and Learning Committee Convener: Mrs Phyllis Williams (2019)
Secretary: Revd Graham Hoslett (2021)
Lay Preaching Commissioner: Mr David Childs (2020)
Synod Ecumenical Officer: Revd Phillip Jones (2019)
Plus Pastoral Committee Conveners
Synod Pastoral Committees:
North East Convener: Revd Ruth Dillon (2019)
Area Preaching Co-ordinator: Mrs Thelma Roberts (2021)
Synod County Ecumenical officer Berkshire: Vacancy
Synod County Ecumenical officer Surrey: Revd Phillip Jones (2019)
Members (5): Revd Lucy Brierley (2021)
Mrs Wendy Dunnett (2021)
Revd Graham Hoslett (2020)
Mr Sydney Shore (2020)
Mrs Faith Thomas (2022) *
North West Convener: Mr Tony Brett (2020)
Area Preaching Co-ordinator: Vacancy
Synod County Ecumenical officer Berkshire: Vacancy
Synod County Ecumenical officer Oxfordshire: Romilly Micklem (2021)
Members (5): Mrs Cynthia Bartlett (2022) *
Mr Roger Clark (2020)
Mrs Fiona Hobson (2020)
Revd Duncan Wilson (2019)
Revd Glyn Millington (2020) *
South East Convener: Revd Paul Bedford (2020)
Area Preaching Co-ordinator: Mrs Gill Bailey (2019)
Synod County Ecumenical officer Hampshire: Vacancy
Members (7): Mrs Christine Hardwick (2020)
Revd Helen Higgin-Botham (2022) *
Mr Derek Hiscocks (2019)
Mr Alan Jones (2021)
Revd Mike Perrott (2022) *
Vacancy
Vacancy
16South West Convener: Dr Richard Hall (2022) *
Area Preaching Co-ordinator: Mrs Mary Chipping (2022) *
Synod County Ecumenical officer Dorset: Revd Peter Clark (2019)
Members (7): Revd Tod Gobledale (2021)
Revd Joshua Han (2022) *
Mr Andrew Hirst (2022) *
Mrs Margaret Knighton (2022) *
Mrs Janet Meachin (2022) *
Mrs Linda Pain (2021)
Revd Peter Southcombe (2022) *
Silence & Retreats Group Convener: Revd Alison Toplas (2022) *
Members: Revd Edward Symmons
Revd Brenda Stephenson
Revd Mike Perrott
Vacancy
Health & Healing Link: Revd Maria Hooper (2021)
URC (Wessex) Trust Limited Convener: Mr Christopher Evans **
Trustees: Revd Nigel Appleton
Mrs Sue Brown
Mrs Margaret Carrick Smith
Revd Clare Downing **
Mr Ray Dunnett
Mr Andrew Gibb
Mr Mike Liddle
Revd Julian Macro
Mr Colin MacBean
Revd Romilly Micklem
Dr David Page
Mr Peter Pay
Mr Gerry Prosser
Mr Peter Stevenson **
Anthea Wickens *
Listed Buildings Advisory Committee Convener: Revd Julian Macro
Secretary: Mr Gerry Prosser
Members: Revd Michael Hopkins
Mr D Illingworth
Revd John Lee
Mr Kevin Morris
Mr Graham Barber (co-opted)
Ministry and Mission Fund Secretary Mr Peter Pay
Note: In accordance with Article 9 of the Articles of Association of the Trust, the trustee(s) standing
for election for the first time in 2018, are marked with an asterisk, and the trustee(s) standing for
re-election in 2018, one third of them having had to retire by rotation each year and, being eligible,
offer themselves for re-election, are marked with two asterisks.
17Children’s & Youth Work Committee Convener: Revd John Downing (2022) *
Secretary: Miss Alison Marshall (2019)
CYDOs Line Manager: Revd Margaret Evans (2020)
Regional Pilot Officer: Vacancy
Paid Youth Workers’ Representative: Ms Alice Gilbert (2020)
Camp Planning Convenors: Mrs Alison Meachin (2021)
Mr James Meachin (2021)
Members: Mrs Angela Fensom (2019)
Mr Jonathan Steer (2021)
Vacancy
Synod Youth Executive Representative: Miss Alice Hoyle
Synod Youth Executive Convener and Secretary: Roles filled by rotation of members
Treasurer: CYDO
Members: Miss Kathleen Beaman
Miss Laura Everard
Miss Maddy Loudon
Miss Emily Meachin
Synod Panel for Ministerial Discipline NE Mrs Wendy Dunnett
**Members of the Joint Panel Mrs Jennifer Radford
Wessex members of the Panel NW Mrs Cynthia Bartlett
shared with the Synods in Wales, Mr Robert Harding
South West and West Midlands Vacancy
SE Mr Owen Collins
Mr Chris Halliwell
Mrs Christine McMillan
Vacancy
SW Mrs Loraine Dougall
Revd Margaret Evans **
Mr Nick Lowe
Revd Colin Marsh
Co-opted Members of Synod (2018) Mr Graham Barber
Mrs Sue Brown
Mr David Childs
Mrs Christine Hardwick
Revd Julian Macro
Mr Peter Pay
Mr Phil Ray
Mr Peter Stevenson
Mrs Nicola Werro
Mrs Phyllis Williams
Youth Representatives to Synod Miss Kathleen Beaman
Miss Emily Meachin
Alternate Chair of Synod Meeting Revd Nigel Appleton
18REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER GROUPS AND COMMITTEES
Mission Council Synod Clerk
Revd Graham Hoslett (2021)
Mrs Rosie Martin (2020)
Youth Representative to URC Youth Executive Assembly Miss Alice Hoyle (2019) *
Assembly Nominations Committee Synod Clerk
IBEX - Churches Working with the Economy, Board member Revd Paul Bedford
Southampton University Chaplaincy – Chair of Support Group Revd Sarah Hall
19MINISTRIES & LEARNING COMMITTEE REPORT
Church Life Review/ Local Ministry and Mission Review (LMMR)
Church Life Review is a substantially re-written pack to assist churches review their mission and
ministry.
It is envisaged that, once the material has been trialled by at least 2 churches, it will be available
for churches to conduct their own in-house Church Life Reviews, without needing to wait for an
outside facilitator. The DSO’s are able to give guidance on the use of the material. A variety of
tools will be included in order that the most appropriate method can be selected.
Ministerial Accompanied Self Appraisal (MASA) ‘Taking Stock’
In the past, it has been recommended that ministers undertake this self-appraisal alongside the
Church Life Review/LMMR process and this is still recommended. However, a number of ministers
are taking up the opportunity to use the MASA process at other times too as a tool for self-
reflection in their ministry and this is encouraged. The guidance document Taking Stock is
available on the URC website at https://www.urc.org.uk/ministries-resources and DSO’s will seek
an accompanier to be part of the process on request.
Lay Preaching
It seems that in some parts of the synod some churches are finding difficulty in filling their
preaching rotas. Churches have a free hand to invite anyone to lead worship. They are
encouraged to choose preachers who are in good standing with the URC or with one of our
ecumenical partners.
This may be a good time to remind ourselves of the different categories of lay preachers:
Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers (AALP) – have completed a level of training that is
acceptable to General Assembly. In recent years, (except for preachers transferring from
another denomination, or where exemptions have been granted for a particular reason)
that has meant completion of TLS Foundation course, plus passing Gateways into Worship
at Level 2.
Synod Recognised Lay Preachers (SLP) – have completed a level of training that this synod
recognises. This is currently based on TLS LITE.
Local Lay Preachers – it is up to the church to ascertain the credentials of any others they
would like to invite to preach.
It is important to be aware that AALP and SLP are required to participate in safeguarding checks by
Assembly and Synod respectively and we can rely on ordained ministers of other denominations in
good standing with their own denomination to have undergone safeguarding checks. Regular
preachers who fall into none of the above categories should be formally checked by the local
church’s safeguarding officer, in accordance with the church’s safeguarding policy.
It is the duty of the local church to carry out safeguarding checks in respect of Local Lay Preachers.
The numbers of lay preachers in the synod has fallen slowly over the last 8 years culminating in a
drop of 8% in that time. Yet the perceived difficulty seems to be greater than this.
So why should this be the case?
It may be that there is an increased need as more stipendiary ministers have to divide their
time between a number of churches. It has been suggested that the loss of one minister
generates a need for about two lay preachers.
20 It may be that some lay preachers are not able to take on as many commitments as they
have done in the past, thus the total number of services led by lay preachers has decreased
at a rate faster than the decline in the total number of preachers.
It may be that some churches are unaware of the resources available to them. Lay
preachers and retired ministers who are willing to preach are listed in the Synod Directory.
Extra copies of the directory are available from the synod office for churches who need
them. Do let the Synod Secretary (Deborah Walker) know the contact details of your
preaching rota secretary as she will let them have a copy of the directory and other
relevant information.
Lay Presidency at the Sacraments
A flowchart setting out how churches can apply for someone to be nominated as a lay president in
their church has been produced and it is available on the website at
http://wessexsynodurc.org.uk/ministries-and-learning/. The Development and Support Officers
ran a training day in January and more are planned.
The Development Team Administrator (Ruth Heine) maintains a record of churches and the lay
presidents authorised to serve them. We now have 47 churches with 104 Lay Presidents
authorised to serve them. NB the number of individuals authorised is significantly less than this
since lay preachers are often authorised to more than one church.
Synod Pastoral Committees continue to give authority on an ad hoc basis as required and this has
occurred on 11 occasions in 2017.
In future M&L will report new authorisations annually for the preceding year at spring synods.
Lay Development / Discipleship Training
We anticipate that the first two modules of the Stepwise Programme will become available in the
autumn. This has been widely advertised and we have great hopes that it will be well received. An
update on progress of the development of the programme was given at the recent Area
Gatherings.
Vocations Day
In the autumn too, we are planning an opportunity for anyone to explore how to take their faith
further. This will be suitable for all kinds of leadership roles in the church eg as an elder, Sunday
School teacher, lay preacher, children or youth worker, church related community worker,
ordained minister etc. Watch out for more details.
Phyllis Williams
Convenor, Ministries and Learning
21SILENCE & RETREATS GROUP REPORT
The Group
I'm glad to report that we now have two new members for the group, though one has yet to
attend a meeting. The sudden death of David Bunney means that we have also lost one. Apart
from those who are ex officio members there are now four of us.
Quiet day and biennial Retreat
The more active quiet day meeting at Crowe Hill Methodist church near Ringwood and ably led by
Mike and Louise Shrubsole was well attended and much appreciated. Our only difficulty was that it
was one of the hottest days of the year, so the planned walks had to be revised.
The weekend retreat at Old Alresford Place was led by Howard Sharp on Christlikeness - the
challenge for Christians today. Fifteen people were in residence and all thought the venue very
suitable. It became clear that different people had different expectations of the amount of silence
there would be and this needs to be more clearly stated in future advertisements.
The group has agreed to plan another Retreat for 2019.
Quiet days for 2018
There will be two quiet days in 2018 open to everyone in the Synod.
On May 19th Clare Downing is leading one at Wisdom House on “Wait here; preparing for
Pentecost”. We shall have use of the creative room at Wisdom House as well as receiving input
from Clare.
On 26th September there will be a quiet day at Aston Tirrold, led by Revd Andrew Williams on
“Later life in all its fullness”.
Synod workshop and prayer station
In November we once again provided a workshop at Synod on “Unlocking the secrets of
encouraging others”. This was led by Alison Toplas who gave people material for reflection and
guided the participants in writing, artwork, or craft as a way of sending encouragement to
somebody or some church community. We tried to be prepared for whatever age group might
come and had one young person.
Afterwards a prayer station was set up out of some of what had been used in the workshop. We
had hoped this would be more visible out in the coffee area, but had not realised that this would
be open to the public on a Saturday, so were in the classroom as before.
Individually guided retreat
I made initial enquiries of ministers and a venue about setting up an individually guided retreat
this spring, but it came to nothing. It may be better to let ministers know where such a retreat
would be available in the area and leave them to make arrangements.
Use of silence and reflection in worship
We spent some time at our last meeting talking about ways to encourage and enable leaders of
worship to allow space for silence and reflection in worship. This is an ongoing conversation and in
future we shall be looking at ways to share our thoughts with ministers and lay preachers.
Brenda Stephenson
Convener
22URC (WESSEX) TRUST LTD REPORT
This report updates Synod since the last report and includes a summary of the decisions made at
meetings of the Wessex Trust held on 23 November 2017 and 1 February 2018.
1. Trustees
The Nominations Committee has proposed a new trustee drawn from the body of stipendiary
ministers serving in the Synod and that prospective trustee attended our meeting on 1 February
2018 as an observer. The minister has since indicated a willingness to serve as a trustee and it is
anticipated that they will be formally appointed at our next meeting on 10 May 2018.
2. Grants, loans and permissions
The Trust has made the following grants, loans and other commitments, and given permissions
in the following matters. Unless otherwise stated, grants are made from the Church Mission
Fund, and loans are made from the Trust’s General Fund and are repayable over five years
with interest at 3% per year.
Banbury: St. Mary’s – An outline commitment has been made from the General Fund and
technical advice is being given to the church to support them as they prepare to move to
new premises following the unexpected termination of their shared building Local
Ecumenical Partnership by the Church of England.
Oxford: St. Columba’s – A grant of up to £8,000 towards the cost of new doors and
windows, a ramp and an air curtain at the front of the church.
Rowlands Castle – A grant of up to £18,500 towards the cost of updating the chapel.
Southampton: Bitterne – A loan of up to £20,000 towards weather damage building
repairs.
Wareham – A grant of up to £5,200 and a loan of up to £5,200 towards a boiler
replacement and re-cladding the underside of the balcony.
Manses – Permission has been given for one former manse at 14 Oviat Close, Totton to be
sold in due course.
URC lay staff pension scheme – A commitment has been made from the General Fund to
pay the £28,000 lump sum contribution that has been requested by the national church
towards the pension deficit.
3. Other property items
Bournemouth: Southbourne: Immanuel – The Connect 2 building project is well underway.
The Charity Commission have concurred with the Trust’s request to release a local church fund
for the benefit of the project and the legal arrangements with the Big Lottery Fund have
almost been concluded enabling the BLF funding to be drawn down.
Bournemouth: Winton and Bournemouth International Church – The building project has
almost been completed and the two congregations will soon be sharing the building.
Guildford: Westborough Church – The building project to correct the structural problems
arising from an earlier building development has started.
Hayling: South Hayling – It is hoped that progress towards leasing part of the church grounds
for the erection of the Hayling Island Men’s Shed can now be made along the lines suggested
to them.
Oxford: Summertown – Negotiations with a neighbour over car parking and associated access
rights continue.
Oxford: Temple Cowley – The church was vacated after the closing service on 5 November
2017 and has become the responsibility of the Trust; some existing users have been granted
23temporary use pending disposal. The site has been marketed for sale and a number of
potential offers have been received and are currently being considered.
Manses – 1 manse has been prepared for occupation by a minister at 21 Kingcup Close,
Broadstone. 3 manses are currently being prepared for occupation by ministers at: 7
Hawkswell Gardens, Oxford, 24 Moggs Mead, Petersfield and 10 Marvin Way, Southampton. 5
manses have been let at: 7 High Tree Drive, Reading, 46 Foxglove Way, Thatcham, 40 St.
Andrews Avenue, Weymouth, 55 Tollerford Road, Canford Heath and 26 Queens Road,
Swanage.
Registration of church buildings for same-sex marriage – The General Register Office have
concluded the registrations of Cumnor, Oxford and St. Columba’s, Oxford and are processing a
registration request from Freemantle, Southampton.
4. Property disposals
The Trust has sold two former manses at 74 Linden Park, Shaftesbury and 8 Fry’s Hill, Greater Leys,
Oxford for £372,000 and £167,500 (50% share formerly held with the Methodist Church)
respectively before costs. In addition two former manses at 35 Ratcliffe Avenue, Ryde, Isle of
Wight and 69 Victoria Road, Oxford have been sold subject to contract.
The Trust is at different stages with the sales of the former church sites at: Bury Road Gosport,
Lytchett Minster, Maiden Bradley, Newbury (residue of the site), Pheasant’s Hill Henley, Temple
Cowley Oxford, Trinity Hall and Stanford in the Vale.
The residential property sales planned for 2018 are at: 209 Broadway Lane, Throop, Bournemouth,
20 Carlton Road, Gosport and Tara Cottage, Warminster.
Other residential properties planned for later sale subject to obtaining any necessary Trust, Synod
and local church approvals are at: 2 Elbe Way, Andover, 13 Hyde Green, Marlow, 5 Jennings Road,
Poole, 23 Pierces Hill, Reading, 14 Oakmount Avenue, Southampton, 14B Lacon Close,
Southampton and 16 St. Martins Drive, Walton-on-Thames. These properties are all occupied by
tenants at present.
5. Hiring of church premises
We would like to thank all churches who have been working on the new hiring arrangements for
church premises, whether or not they have yet submitted their Church Meeting resolutions to the
office. We have been answering many questions and continue to invite any further questions via
finance@urcwessex.org.uk.
Our original target date for receiving all the Church Meeting resolutions was 1 October 2017, with
full implementation of the new hiring conditions by 31 December 2017. This has turned out to be
too challenging for some churches who still need more time. However, this is an important matter
which does need to be completed in a reasonable timescale and the Trust will now be focusing its
resources on some particular situations where progress needs to be made.
6. Finance
Accounting computer packages
We have been seeking input on any computer packages used by churches in maintaining their
financial records, so that we may share the information with treasurers across the Synod. If your
church has relevant experience and you have not so far replied, please email the details to
finance@urcwessex.org.uk.
Annual Report and Accounts
The external review of the way we use our Sage accounting software is underway and the Trust
has committed to obtaining additional support with the preparation of our management and year-
end accounts.
24The audit fieldwork in respect of our accounting year to 31 December 2017 is commencing on 12
March and will last a week. It is currently expected that the Report and Accounts for 2017 will be
adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2018.
Church Mission and Special Reserve Funds
After the grant offers made above and following the expiry of any other grant offers as applicable,
the Church Mission Fund stands at £111,148 and the Special Reserve Fund is at £777,400.
Inter-Synod Resource Sharing
The Synod is now in a new group of Synods for the next three years with Thames North, West
Midlands and Scotland, and the Synod Treasurer is looking forward to discussing and exploring the
differences that will emerge.
7. Trust Office
In response to a review, the Trust has agreed that the Trust Office needs extra support to meet the
increasing workload of the Trust Office and an outline commitment has been made to fund and
support the employment of a new full-time Finance and Operations Manager. The post will
shortly be advertised for an immediate (subject to the usual processes) start. In the meantime we
are trying to respond to requests and queries in good time and in a sensible order of priority, but
we recognise that some frustrations may still occur. We apologise for this.
8. Risk Assessment annual review
The latest version of the Risk Assessment has been reviewed and agreed in conjunction with the
Synod Executive. Further to which an outline commitment has been made to fund and support
the employment of a new part-time Synod Safeguarding Officer who will help the Synod and its
churches meet its obligations in this important area of work. The post will shortly be advertised
for an immediate (subject to the usual processes) start.
9. Recommended contractors
We invited churches, via treasurers, to add to our list of recommended tradesmen and contractors
and are grateful for the responses so far received. This will be helpful to the Trust in our property
maintenance and can be made available to churches. If you would like to make any
recommendations as a result of work that has been completed fairly recently and to a good
standard, please email the details to finance@urcwessex.org.uk.
Chris Evans, Convener
25MINISTRY & MISSION FUND REPORT
2017 Outturn
I have now received final figures from London. Year-end figures show Wessex as one of only 3
Synods meeting their offer. We were £33,142 ahead of our offer of £2m. There were no significant
defaults. We give grateful thanks for the generosity of our churches.
2018
Offers to date for 2018 total £1,955,445. My current projection is £2,000,600 when all offers and
contributions are included. We have offered £2m. There are still 15 offers outstanding. Three of
these are unlikely to contribute. For health reasons I have not been in a position to chase these
over the last 6 weeks.
I have met with the SW Area Pastoral Committee to share offers etc. and expect to meet with the
others this quarter. I will provide an update at the meeting if any further information is available.
Review of M&M formula
We recognise that there are a number of circumstances where the current formula unduly favours
or penalises some pastorates. We are therefore putting together a small group to review the
formula and propose any adjustments they consider appropriate.
We will particularly be considering both whether the direct link between scoping and assessment
is too rigid and whether the present balance between scoping and membership is right.
We would hope to bring recommendations to our November Synod meeting. Comments and
suggestions should be sent to the M&M Secretary.
Peter Pay, M&M Secretary
26MISSION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE REPORT
The Mission and Outreach Committee is the umbrella body for three groups and a number of
posts which might be seen broadly as ‘advocates’ for particular issues. Over the last 12 months,
we have ensured that each of these advocates is attached to one of the three groups - Mission
Development, Church & Society and World Church.
The three groups have provided their own reports below. The World Church Group has been
particularly active, especially in developing our link with the United Church of Zambia. Mission
Development Group, now convened by Tim Searle, is taking on the previous work on pioneer
ministry and looking towards developing practical plans for potential church planting or replanting
projects. Church & Society has suffered from its lack of a convenor, but particular progress is being
made on Eco-Church/Synod.
Following Rob Weston’s move outside Wessex Synod it was agreed that we would not appoint a
new convenor for the time being. The annual meeting of the committee - a gathering to which all
group members and advocates are invited - was facilitated by myself and Ray Stanyon (DSO -
mission), who is also our Synod representative on the Assembly Mission Committee.
It has become clear that there are both advantages and disadvantages to having a committee with
such a broad brief, which is parallel to the Assembly structure. We are also clear that we need to
be more strategic in our efforts. To that end, a small group will be meeting shortly to work on a
strategy for synod work on mission for the future.
Clare Downing
27MISSION DEVELOPMENT GROUP REPORT
The role of the Synod’s Mission Development Group (MDG) is to a explore, at a strategic level,
how our churches might be better enabled to grow their work. Whether we define growth in
quantitative or qualitative terms, the goals are essentially the same: to have vibrant, engaging and
viable church communities with a clear mission, and an appetite for the future. After a period of
restructuring, MDG is now pursuing two particular avenues which we hope will help the Synod
shape it’s broader mission strategy. These are:
Church Planting
The question has been raised about whether church growth is more likely to occur by planting new
churches, or by continuing to deploy our resources into existing churches. MDG has performed
some initial research into examples of church planting that are taking place elsewhere in the
denomination. Two pilot schemes for our Synod have been considered (Bicester and Welborne,
Fareham), with both schemes looking at developing new church plants in collaboration with other
denominations. Whilst we are no longer pursuing the scheme at Bicester, the possibilities for
being a partner denomination in the Welborne initiative look promising. MDG have asked for a
Local Steering Group to be formed that will liaise with both the Synod Pastoral Committee (SE) and
MDG. Synod has previously ring-fenced £200,000 for pioneer ministry such as this and it is
anticipated that more detailed plans to draw on this will be formed as the project continues. Other
possibilities to resource ministry there, such as applications for a Special Category Ministry (SCM)
post, may be considered in the future. We hope that our involvement in this scheme will provide
valuable ‘real-world’ experience of whether church planting has further potential for development
elsewhere in the Synod.
Church Regeneration Scheme
As well as looking into new possibilities for church growth, MDG also wants to make sure that
existing churches with an appetite for growth have the resources available to accomplish this. In
some cases this might be by working with a dying church who have a vision for something new to
take their place when the time comes. In other cases it may by giving some of our existing
churches with growth potential the extra help they need to achieve this. This work is in its early
stages but a core team will be looking at the following headings to see whether a scheme of
benefit to the Synod can be developed:
Identifying churches where regeneration might be possible
Identifying what is needed to achieve regeneration
Identifying what resource Synod might reasonably deploy to enable this
Building a scheme programme and the administration required to manage it
Running a trial in pilot locations to test the schemes efficacy and feasibility
Please pray for the work that MDG is delivering on your behalf. If you have any interesting ideas
on the above, or think you might have something to contribute towards this work, we’d love to
hear from you!
Tim Searle
Convenor
Mission Development Group
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