and Seaford Deanery Synod! MISSION IN THE DEANERY 2011 - 2014 Mission Activity reported to Deanery Synod ! during the Period 2011 - 2014! As part of the Pastoral Strategy, Deanery Synod is committed always to include an item relevant to our mission of growing the church. The following items have been included in synods as part of this commitment during the triennium which closes in May 2014. Church Schools in the Deanery, Diocese and Nation. (, September 2011) 3 Aspects of Prayer in the Deanery (South Malling: November, 2011) 5 Developing a Mission Action Plan (East Blatchington: February 2012) 6 Mission in a large Rural benefice ((Arlington, Wilmington, Berwick, and Selmeston with Alciston : 8 May, 2012) 6 Mission in , Cliff and (Peacehaven Sept. 2012) 7 Mission in the Benefice of Sutton with Seaford(Seaford, November 2012) 8 The Street Pastor Scheme in Seaford 8 Mission in the parish of 8 Chaplaincy in the Deanery - A flavour 9 Mission Developments in three Lewes Parishes 9 Cursillo (Arlington etc 10 Training Readers 10 Mission to Young People 11 The Parish Giving Scheme 12 Other items. Separate Booklets are: Healing Ministry in the Churches of the Lewes and Seaford Deanery (November 2012) Lewes and Seaford Pastoral Strategy Revised November 2014 Also: Lewes and Seaford Deanery Synod: 2011 The Four Hundredth Anniversary of the King James Bible: Celebrations that have taken place in the Lewes and Seaford Deanery (February 2012) Lewes and Seaford Churches Celebrations in 2012: Jubilee, Olympics and Book of Common Prayer (May 2012) 2 of 12 Church Schools in the Deanery, and Diocese. A Small Village Church of Primary School The Rural Dean introduced Mrs Leanne Winterton, Headteacher of Rodmell School, who spoke about the school’s special relationship with its neighbouring church, and the richness of its curriculum. There are 63 children on the Roll this current year (2011/12) - growth from previous years. The school had recently been extended, with a fine new Reception area, a new staff room and improvements in general to working areas. Mrs Winterton had been at Rodmell and in other schools for 17 years and had been recently appointed Headteacher. She said that closeness to the parish church enhances that beauty of the school’s location and makes the church part and parcel of the school. There is a service on Wednesdays and a Parish Family Service on Sundays, where children are involved. The church is used regularly for interactive teaching and learning - such as a pretend wedding in which two children were ‘married’ by the Rector and all the children were involved in the whole process through to photographs and the cutting of the cake. The Rector also helps with R.E. lessons and a children’s choir forms part of the Family Service. A children’s Art Club had created a Christmas banner and there was a Christmas Service in the hall and a Nativity Tableau in church. There is a mix of young and older children in each of the three classrooms, creating a lovely family feel in which younger children are supported by older ones in a buddying system and by the values of the school. Other family members and members of the local community are involved in some of these events. Interactive learning is a major element in the school’s teaching. Following In - Service Training from the Diocese, the school put on a week of “Godly Play.” Bible stories were delivered interactively and children responded in their own style - retelling a story, role playing, art and craftwork. The school also makes use of community and wider resources. Monks House, close by, is used for Arts Week. Children are also taught about planting, from professionals working in the area. A Food day involved inviting parents and grandparents into school to share a school Dinner prepared by the children. Following Mrs Winterton’s visit to the Gambia, the school now supports a Gambian school with many of the pupils writing to a pen friend there. Pupils raised money to send gifts to the school which the Headteacher took over personally, making sure they were properly used. In their final year, children participate in the Diocesan Leavers Service - last year at Lancing College. Church Schools in a National and Diocesan Perspective Nigel Sarjudeen, who is responsible for Governance on the Diocesan Board of Education, spoke about the role of the church in education and the importance of local churches understanding and supporting their local schools - especially church schools. He noted that Revd David Bastide, Rector of Offham and a member of Synod, was Chair of the Board, which is a statutory body.

3 of 12 The church had been proactive in the education of children since monastic times, and particularly the education of the poor. The National Society was established in 1811 (200 years ago) and promoted the development of church schools and by the first Education Act in1870, had established around 17000 C of E schools and set the mould for mass education. The 1944 Education Act incorporated these schools into the state system, establishing a dual system: schools which needed high levels of Local Authority support became “Voluntary Controlled “ and others, needing less state support, became “Voluntary Aided.” Around 2000, General Synod and the Archbishop’s Council identified Church Schools as “standing at the centre of the Church’s mission to the nation’ and called for a report on the ir future development. This was led by Lord Dearing and reported in 2001 in The Way Ahead: Church of England schools in the new millennium,” and called for distinctively Christian schools, rooted in the life of the parish, responding to a diverse community. It is worth considering that, in this Diocese, there are more children in the classrooms of church schools on Monday mornings than in church pews on Sunday. Government policy continues to encourage the development of church schools - distinctive but inclusive, and with the decline of local authority influence, the Dearing report has especial significance for the Church. In this Diocese, there are 158 C of E schools, mostly primary with a few big secondary schools and they work closely with LEA. Different approaches have to be considered, partnerships, school collaboration and federations are on the agenda and leadership is key to future developments - at stake is “a good childhood” for all children. Priorities are distinctively Christian church schools, the challenge of child poverty (a continuing concern), strong parish/Deanery, school links (exemplified in the Rodmell School account above), and the development of future church school leaders. Teaching is a Christian vocation. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full,” John 10 v.10. How then can we support our schools to help them support this “good childhood”? Nigel asked each parish to collect a resources pack designed to help P.C.C’s consider how their church can support education - whether or not they have a church school. The pack includes a CD which offers ten opportunities to help teachers and schools: parents getting fully involved e.g. with PTA; volunteering (e.g. to hear reading); supporting local school workers; praying for the school and its teachers; offering their building/s for visits/other use; running parenting courses in conjunction with school; thanking teachers; buying resources as a gift; starting an out-of- school club; becoming a governor.

Questions followed: what proportion of the nation’s children are taught in church schools - around 25% at primary level, around 5% in secondary education. Numbers are currently staying the same or rising slightly. Can headteachers be asked about their faith. No, but they can be asked how they will seek to maintain the Christian ethos of the school. 4 of 12 Prayer in the Deanery. The Rural Dean introduced this session intended to share good practice among parishes throughout the deanery. Following brief presentations, members discussed their own practice in groups made up from other parishes. Revd Andrew Mayes ( East Blatchington and Bishopstone) spoke about Julian prayer, named for Mother Julian of Norwich. It encourages listening to God. It is simple to set up: groups of 2/3 or more come together to listen to God perhaps beginning with a short scripture or with music followed by about an hour of deep silence - contemplative, receptive, and often surprising. Revd Will Pratt () spoke of a service developed by lay people inspired by Taize Prayer and chants. It replaces evening prayer 3 or 4 times a year. The service seems to require leaders with musical experience and skills, with instruments in a range permutations. Lights are extinguished, candles lit, a Taize Cross, chants, readings, meditation, possibly an address to support the theme - and prayer. Around 35/40 people attend - “from all over the place,” - with some people from the village who don’t usually come to church. The Next Taize session is Sunday 2 January at 6.30. Revd James Hollingworth spoke about the prayer opportunities and experiments at Barcombe Chu • A Parish prayer meeting with good numbers. • Home groups: 30 or 40 people meeting in different groups, discussing theSunday sermon and praying about things relevant to them • PCC includes prayer and song. They stop and pray when there are difficulties, • In the church there is a bowl of sand and candles which can be lit and a book in which people can write out prayers • Using a range of different people to lead Sunday intercessions • A parish Prayer Diary, just for the Village of Barcombe, which is simply lifted up to God not read out, in Sunday Worship. • Prayer Triplets with breakfast, allowing people to pray together because they can’t find the time to pray on their own • Youth Group Stop-Press Prayers. To overcome embarrassment, young people write down prayers, the leader collects these in, shuffles them and hands them out again and they pray for each other reading out the notes. This also encourages listening. The Rural Dean described a prayers session in a school assembly to give children the experience of prayer: they were asked to put their hands together, bow their heads and be quiet. Then they were asked to think “God is with us” - and then say Amen. Then they were asked to think about a class teacher - and then say Amen. Finally, they were asked to talk to each other about something good that had happened on the previous day, put their hands together and say “Thank You.” Following group discussions there was feedback. The Vicar of Peacehaven spoke of free prayer sessions with nothing prepared and “Sermon Prayers” not allowed. People are encouraged to use ordinary language (“I’ve had it up to here.”) and pray things out in this language, with others picking up phrases. Maggie Jakeman (East Blatchington) spoke about Cursillo, “a sort of spiritual weight watchers group” who meet for half an hour, with 4 in a group, and account to each other for where they are in their spiritual lives. It is a worldwide movement for spiritual renewal and growth, www.chichestercursillo.co.uk, lay led, with episcopal blessing. Maggie is happy if people would like to contact her for further details via email [email protected]). Synod then drew into a circle for an act of Worship based on Celtic prayer. (South Malling, November 2011) 5 of 12 Developing a Mission Action Plan at East Blatchington Revd Andrew Mayes said that the Mission Strategy at East Blatchington had been developed by church members, considering the priorities of their parish and in the process reducing some 250 individual discernments to 5 clear aims cast in strong terms to unite and motivate around the word Peter. These were: Proclaim the love of Christ with fun, friendship and witness; Encounter the living God in worship; Transform lives through deepening spirituality, study and prayer; Empower and inspire groups and families in faith (actors - not merely recipients); and Reach out healing hands to those in need, nearby and farther away - this latter stressing that their church is not only parochial but also part of the whole catholic church. The next steps - identifying local needs and gifts - were framed by the church calendar. Advent was seen as a listening experience, people reviewing statistics on the diocesan website and also seeking to discern spiritual, social and other needs. In Epiphany the giftedness of the congregation was reviewed and celebrated. Now, in the time before Lent - as in Lent itself - five groups have been charged with considering one each of the PETER aims in the light of what has been heard about needs and gifts. From this a new MAP will be created and at Easter, the new journey will begin. Bishopstone too has been revisiting priorities and also looking at how the two churches can share gifts. Fr Andrew believes that the involvement of all church members in this process has been welcomed and has confirmed their ownership of the emerging way forward - in particular an acceptance that “we’re all in this together and we need to be open and honest about problems.” (East Blatchington and Bishopstone: February 2012) Mission in a Large Rural Benefice. Revd Peter Blee said that the four rural parishes had no real centre (such as a school as in the Kingston Benefice). Ministry and mission is essentially pastoral with the Ox of St Luke as its characteristic gospel symbol. The success of the Church here, depends on securing and keeping the goodwill of the whole community rather than a gathering of likeminded people, as in some urban churches. People still welcome a visit from a stranger wearing a dog collar and you can know everybody. Rites of passage are very important mission opportunities. Festivals also - and the churches offer all-age and child-focussed worship on these occasions, which are very well attended (the main service was packed out at Easter). There are scratch choirs each year led by someone from Glyndebourne. After four rehearsals before Christmas, they sing a couple of anthems in the Carol Service, and similarly on Good Friday. A recent stewardship campaign, in which 600 letters were sent out to local people, was coordinated by a parishioner who doesn’t actually come to church - he is simply interested in helping and since the churches are open all year round, many people come to visit or just to sit. People engage with the church on their own terms. The churches have run Alpha courses but ran out of people and rested for 3 years. They are starting another this Autumn. The church tries to feel the temperature of its community to identify what it might do and what might not be right. A Benefice Administrator has been employed to who keeps the Diary and manages the website - which is important - it provides, for example, resources for people to create their own rites of passage services and for messy church - and operates as a noticeboard for the community. To avoid being in a kind of bubble, the benefice has a link to the anglican church in Kenya. It is in contact with a priest there, whom Peter visited on his recent sabbatical.

6 of 12 The benefice relies on team-work. (X), who coordinates ‘Messy Church’ explained that there is a child- oriented service somewhere in the benefice every Sunday. Messy Church takes place twice a month - once at Berwick and once at Arlington. Parents and children create resources which then feed into Family Services on the other two weeks. For example, a Creation Frieze, produced by children, helped by parents and other members of the church, and exhibiting the right crafted images for the seven days of creation, led into teaching on the creation story. It also feeds into Festivals - a dragon has been crafted for the Rogation Service. Families with very small children, coming into more formal services, as their children grow older, have been met by adaptations to make them child-friendly. Eileen Vine spoke of the importance of unity in the benefice. There is a united service every 5th Sunday in one of the churches, which is very well attended and characterised by real warmth and a sense of being united to each other in Christ. They had worked closely together during Peter’s sabbatical and benefited from a joint Bible study where people shared their experiences from different church perspectives. They had walked through the fields with Palms following a donkey on Palm Sunday and experienced a powerful Good Friday Vigil and wonderful Easter Service together. The whole range of gifts in the various congregations were being used for the whole benefice. Life in the countryside can be lonely, and the church provides opportunities for coming together. Eileen spoke of a Ladies Breakfast that had been going for five years, four times a year, and reached out to people who were housebound. There is also a Downland Village Lunch, three courses for £4, which is attended by 50/60 people. There are long-standing House Groups offering hospitality and giving people a chance to know each other better and talk to each other. There is a Prayer Group, with around 15 people, important to the spiritual life of the parish, on Wednesday mornings with a communion once a month; also a group who meet for quiet contemplation and silent prayer, led by Kenneth Edwards from Folkington. There is a Training session for those leading Intercessions in the four churches and three Prayer Days each year when churches are available for prayer from 6am to 9pm. One of these, in June, will include a Healing Eucharist in the middle of the day - which is really valued. Peter ended by commending the Jubilee celebrations, which cover a range of events which demonstrate the way that they work mission. Mary Sitwell praised his graceful and effective leadership which has helped the church in these villages to serve God and their community so well. (Arlington, Wilmington, Berwick, and Selmeston with Alciston : 8 May, 2012) Mission in Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs and Piddinghoe. Revd Ian Cooper said that the three parishes in his benefice operate individually, each with a different churchmanship. Peacehaven has no real centre - people live here but work elsewhere. Its sense of community needs nurturing - it exudes apathy. Despite this, the church is growing, there is children’s work and the Brownies attend one service a month. There is a social programme and outreach - in the literal sense that the church goes out into the community; for example the Meridian Shadows Evening. They run a Holiday Club, work with Urban Saints, join with the evangelical church to play Badminton and visit schools regularly. The Mission focus is on building an anglican understanding of The Parish: that it’s “not our church but yours. Whether you like it or not, believe or not, come along - you’re in and you’re us. You can come once in a while or every Sunday. This is a parish of 27 thousand people and a major mission area for the Church. An assistant priest will be interviewed shortly to strengthen the ministry. Ian thanked the deanery for recognising the importance of their mission by advising the Diocese to wipe out Peacehaven’s debts, providing a clean slate to start again - though he cannot make any promises - “The love of Christ is our first priority; next we’ll do the Christian thing and pay what we can.” Telscombe, continues with a regular congregation of 20 - 30 - but it’s tough for Piddinghoe with 3-5. He asked Synod to keep his benefice in their prayers. (Peacehaven, September 2012) 7 of 12 Mission in the Benefice of Sutton with Seaford. Revd Paul Owen noted that St Leonards Church was well-placed for mission in the centre of town. Its South Nave wall had been newly replastered at a cost of £28/29,000. It served the town by hosting civic events such as Remembrance and awarding Freeman of the Town status. On occasions like Christmas Late Night shopping it was ideal for drawing people in and engaging with them. So far there would be 21 Carol Services and Concerts across the benefice, and the parish welcomed local schools for large events - including congregations of up to 500. For adults in the benefice, an Alpha course may be scheduled for 2013; there is also a coffee time drop in facility at St Luke’s, an Encompass group for older members of the church, care for the bereaved and a Men’s Supper, bringing in 20/35 men, 75% of whom were non attenders. Revd Martin Blewett, from St Luke’s described “great coffee events” at Cafe Luke and Cafe Luke’s De Cafe, with a ministry particularly for young families and teenagers, which was inventive, imaginative and prepared to experiment. There is a weekly informal service with contemporary music and a family friendly environment, called The Meeting Place; a Tots and Toddlers’ group, entertaining younger children, with 40 - 50 participants and lots of noise. Messy Church and Messy Tea also attracts families with younger children, using craft, puppets , etc. All of these are growing, sometimes slowly. There is no sure formula or magic solution beyond committed and hard working people praying and working together. (Seaford, November 2012) The Street Pastor Scheme at Seaford. John Kennet spoke about the United Churches Street Pastors in Seaford. The concept of street pastors was begun 15 years ago by Les Isaacs in Brixton (awarded the OBE this year). Now over 10 thousand Street Pastors are active in Britain. In Seaford there are 8, with another 3 in training and 4 starting this year. They would like another dozen to do the work more effectively. John asked congregations for their prayers - which are the Street Pastors’ most important weapon. They work from 10.30 to 2.30/3pm. equipped with drinking water, tissues, plasters, thermal blankets and lollipops - which are used to disable trouble-makers, turning adults into little children again. The fact that churches are working together on this also has a powerful effect on the streets and it helps in financing the project. They are always looking for finance. The danger is not so great as one might think for those properly trained. There have been situations when agressive groups move towards them, but only once have they remained threatening. Usually careful words and lollipops change the mood. They are trained to step back and pray when there is violence and God can be trusted to intervene. The police tend to appear when needed. Prayer works, fights split up and end with a handshake. John said that they had often seen God cut through alchohol. More often, the outcome is a good one. People hear what the Pastors have to say and they are moved that Christians have put their own disagreements on one side to help them. Also, older people thank them for being there, on behalf of their children. “We do see God there. With Churches working together it feels like God is working for us. He wants to encourage us to move out of churches onto the streets” - and he finds that people want to work for God. (Seaford, November 2012) Mission in the Parish of Barcombe. Barcombe’s approach to mission is ‘relational’. The Church seeks to bring people together (e.g. a Rota Party for everyone who is on a rota) or support them in their group activities - Cubs and Scouts seeking a Faith Badge.. They have recently worked through a Christianity Explored course, and are happy to lend other churches the Videos which go with this, started a Sunday Evening Youth Group to look deeper into various issues (theology in ordinary life) as well as a Friday Games Youth Group. They have taken some of these young people to Greenbelt and hope to take more to May Camp this year for the first time. Their next step will be to start a sort of service on Sunday afternoon for those involved in Sunday morning sport - called, “Match Tea.” (Barcombe. February 2013) 8 of 12 Chaplaincies in the Deanery Continuing with the theme of outreach at the November Synod, three chaplains spoke to Synod about their various responsibilities. Revd Paul Owen, is a Chaplain to the Ambulance Service, responsible for Newhaven Ambulance Station. A Roman Catholic Deacon is responsible for Lewes Ambulance Station and Control Centre. Paul took over from a Baptist minister some 5 years ago. He was advised to act on the key principle - “be known before you are needed” and characterised some of his work as “wasting time with intent.” Each crew works a 12 hour shift and within that time they can travel 200 miles. He spends 1.5 hours per week at the station, making and drinking tea, being friends and talking to crew members who need to unload a range of problems which arise from or affect their work. He gave a number of examples of the kind of experiences they undergo and how these need to be met with a listening ear by a trusted friend. He goes out sometimes with a crew but he is not First Aid trained, because it is not his job to get involved in this way - rather, to be available for Ambulance personnel, recognised mainly as a friend taking opportunities to be the eyes, ears and feet of Christ as they serve together. Revd Marcus Brown, who said that normally he hates sickness and illness of any sort, has found his chaplaincy to the Hospice of St Peter and St James to be the greatest blessing he has had in many years. Five years ago, in a pastoral placement as he was training for ordination, he was told to choose the place where he would be least comfortable. His mother and his wife immediately identified the hospice. He started without training or even preparation and found that terminally ill people were comforting him. He takes pleasure in also looking after Roman Catholics and has been profoundly moved when taking funerals for people whom he has known in the hospice. Time spent in the Hospice earths him and he is grateful for a wonderful experience. Revd David Perks spoke about the time when he was a Hospital Chaplain from 2001 - 2006. The post is funded by the NHS - a secular institution, in which he reported to the Head of the Counselling Team who was an atheist. His role was subject to the Equalities Act and is multi faith. It was heavily vetted. When he visited patients, he didn’t offer to pray with them, but responded when they asked. He ministered both to patients and to staff. Absolute confidentiality is required. He learned not to go where he was not wanted but to wait and listen - opportunities sometimes offered themselves. As well as praying with people, also when they asked he gave communion and heard confession. He wore clergy dress - “it shows who you are.” He was involved in one wedding and three baptisms - and also with the dying, including meeting relatives of the bereaved. He described how he helped people come to terms with death and judgement, easing people as they face the end of life and its implications - helping them to come to terms with a loving and understanding God. He said that Chaplains need a home church, where they are fully involved in the whole life and liturgy. (Barcombe, 2 February 2014) Mission Activity: Developments in 3 Lewes Parishes. Revd Steve Daughtery described an initiative in Lewes arising from the resignation of the Vicar of the United Benefice of St John sub Castro and St Michael, South Malling. With St John, Southover, these three parishes represent a north/south grouping across Lewes, intersected by an east/west grouping of St Thomas, St Michael and St Anne. Southover, with the largest congregation of the three has the smallest parish and have been unable, despite worthy efforts, to develop their mission to the town. St John’s has a central location and a large church which requires a considerable amount of money spending on it. It has a smallish congregation and its parish includes one of the most deprived areas of the town. South Malling has a smallish congregation (around 50 on a good day) with many young people in the parish, good links with the school but no proper space or resource for children’s work. Aware that these two churches are unlikely to be offered another full-time stipendiary priest they have responded to an initiative to find strength together as, 9 of 12 eventually, one church with three sites, sharing ministry and gaining economies of scale. As part of this proposal, project name: “Trinity,” Southover clergy will support six services on a Sunday, working across the churches as a single team. Pastoral and administrative support will be increased. A key aspect of the project will be to redevelop St John sub Castro building as a community centre-point for mission whilst maintaining its focus as a place of worship. The Diocesan Board of Finance has granted £25,000 for a feasibility study of proposed work for St John’s and a further £500,000 towards the project if it takes place. (This money would come from income from the sale of St John sub Castro’s Vicarage and perhaps its Church Hall). Steve described the Consultation process as ‘Courting,’ which is happening now,‘Engagement,” involving a joint incumbency and 3 separate PCCs in 2014, and finally ‘Marriage,’ with one PCC and one parish. Although the project has only entered its ‘courting stage’, things are already happening. South Malling has requested support for its interregnum and Southover has seconded Jeremy Bamber to them as “Assistant Acting Vicar.” A member of Southover’s pastoral staff is joining the Pells School as a Foundation Governor, Jeremy Bamber will become a Foundation Governor at South Malling School in September and with Southover School, the three Heads will organise assemblies together which will then be supported by a single team from Southover. There were questions about St John’s as a Concert venue: the feasibility study will particularly ask for the acoustic to be safeguarded; Car Parking: easier on a Sunday and in evenings than weekdays; English Heritage requirements: Steve is aware of potential problems in what they will ask for; can it fit in with the Phoenix development? Trinity might happen first but this could be a good thing. PCCs will engage with developers in the usual ways: communication, consideration, consultation. Like everything in this project, everyone will have to make sacrifices for it to happen. (Ringmer, March 2013) Presentation from Cursillo: Richard Hann and Yvonne Austin spoke to Synod about Cursillo (Spanish: “Little Course”) which is an international and ecumenical movement to empower and encourage renewal and individual Christian growth through prayer, study and action leading to the sharing of God’s love. It embraces the insights and good teaching of all Anglican traditions and has the blessing of our archbishops and diocesan bishop. The approach is developed through weekends involving worship, teaching and learning, discusssion, prayer and reflection. These are followed up by Group Reunions and national and regional gatherings allowing opportunities for faith sharing and encouragement in Christian living, service and leadership. It offers individuals a stronger faith and deeper experience of God’s presence and purpose; a lively sense of Christian community and prayer and confidence to seek to serve the people of God. There are local groups active throughout the Diocese and has members on this Deanery Synod. Anyone who wishes to know more about Cursillo can contact Revd Neil Tipple 01444 416262, Yvonne Austin [email protected] and Richard and Storm Hann: [email protected]. Richard also spoke about Penhurst Retreat Centre in Battle, which offers a programme of retreats. Contact: http:// www.penhurst.org.uk ( Arlington, July 2013) Why train to be a Reader? Revd James Hollingsworth, (Lewes and Hastings Archdeaconry Warden of Readers) said that there are 104 Lay Readers in this Archdeaconry. They have episcopal permission to take services, preach and sometimes take funerals. They are relatively inexpensive supports for churches in interregna and some readers have substantial ministries in e.g. Care Homes. As ordinary lay men and women they are sometimes felt to be more approachable than clergy. There are significant stumbling blocks for Readers. Training is 3 years - a long time and importantly so, since congregations deserve ministers with significant theological training. Nevertheless, they begin to be useful in their parish from their first day of training. Readers cannot celebrate communion; they can however lighten the load of a busy parish priest. In some quarters there is fear that readers in training may be 10 of 12 undermined by liberal theology - this raises questions whether someone whose faith cannot be relied on should be taking this path at all. Readers do meet Christians with a range of views on the relative importance of scripture and sacrament, which broadens their attitude to other Christians. Unfortunately, Readers can find that they are patronised by clergy, who sometimes forget that when they move on, the reader stays providing the sort of stability a parish needs.

Reader in training, Chris Lear, described his work programme: one evening a week in Brighton, 2 weekends each year and one residential in Chichester. They are taught through books, group discussion, seminars and essay writing. He spends about 8 hours per week in study. Readers also have a placement, and are encouraged to choose a parish with different churchmanship to their own, which he has found enjoyable and formative. The course engages faith with thought. He will end up with a Foundation Degree, a badge and the experience of meeting a range of churchmanship. People on his course include those who have already retired when the course began as well as a range of younger people..

In conclusion, James declared, trainees get terrific training with permission to teach the gospel and preach. Anyone interested should contact him, speak to their priest and gain PCC support so that by February next year they can be interviewed and by March/April be ready to begin. (Arlington: July 2013)

Mission to Young People

Ali Campbell, Diocesan YES Adviser then spoke to Synod on Youth Ministry. After an introduction to St Bartz, and encouragement to Deanery churches to use the facility, he spoke about Reaching the Younger Generation. He noted that there had been a disastrous loss of young people in church, especially during the Decade of Evangelism, and suggested that this Diocese is in “the last chance saloon for children and the unchurched. There is a Conference next July - “Household of Faith” - which parishes should consider attending. The main speaker is John Westerhof, a specialist in Children coming to Faith. (Dates: 17th – 19th July 2014, University)

How do we pass on faith to the next generation? There needs to be a balance between the use of professionals and what is done at home. Parents and grandparents have to be better at talking to their children. Adults are scared of this, but we don’t need to be “relevant.” There is evidence that children can talk to their grandparents more easily than to their parents because of the generational difference. Accept them. He said it is easy to miss what is happening, we need to get involved. If the church has no young people, we need to ask ourselves what we are doing - it is easy not to see how we might be putting them off. Young people are too used to not being valued. 75% of media coverage of young people is negative. They are challenged by increasing mental health issues (1 in 5 has such a problem at some time), by cyber bullying which gets into their homes and their most private places and, in his experience, they are struggle to believe that they are accepted by God – when so much of the rest of their lives if focused on attainment through their effort (whether that is getting into a sports team or doing well in exams) it can be hard to accept God’s gift of grace through all that Jesus has done for us. “If everyone is special what makes me special?” Love them. First and foremost, he said, we need to communicate the incredible love of God for each young person as an individual, just as Jesus shows the woman at the well that he accepts and values her despite the social and religious forces which should have kept them apart. Jesus crossed lines all the time, seizing permission to do what was not permitted. We need to take risks and expect that God will be at work in what we do. We need to be in a “place of acceptance.” Each person we encounter is made in the image of God. Guide them. He took a number of iconic films to illustrate some basic principles. Spiderman teaches that great power entails great responsibility. Young people want guidance and boundaries (“how far can I go with my girlfriend?”). Adults are anxious about young people and how we can help. Anxiety seeks control - Love, however, seeks freedom; anxiety seeks experts, Love seeks togetherness - a process; anxiety wants resources, Love wants presence; Anxiety seeks charisma, Love relies on guidance. The challenge in how we work with 11 of 12 young people is to plant the gospel where they are, not to get them to worship like us. Be clear about the essentials you want to pass on. We serve them best by passing on what they need to know. But also, We can often put in a lot of work for young people and miss the point. Preparation for confirmation, which can often be great discipleship often stops after confirmation - just when instruction is most needed. Give them Significance. Anxiety is satisfied by results - but the Good Shepherd story makes no sense by this standard. We need to learn to work for one individual - and think not, “how many?” but “who?” “Nurture something incredible in the life of a young person.” Significance is really important. Young people need to be valued and to play a part in worship and service and we need to be thinking about how we equip the next generation. Acceptance, Love, Guidance and Significance. These are they keys to reaching out to young people. Ali was challenged on his use of popular culture (from fantasy films). He justified this by urging the importance of story in transmitting truth (pointing to the parables). ( St Bartz, November 2013)

The Parish Giving Scheme. Canon Will Pratt (Ringmer) explained that, following a fall in income, instead of asking for money, he had asked church members to identify aspirations as part of the MAP, (e.g. employing a Youth Worker) and then moved them from considering possibilities to agreeing to make things happen and provide resources. The upshot was an increase of 20% in voluntary giving. Ringmer’s Treasurer, Jonathan Franklin, then explained that this was achieved largely by introducing the Parish Giving Scheme. This scheme originated in Gloucester Diocese. It involves giving by direct debit, and if possible, gift aiding it. Payment is made by the donor’s bank to the scheme on the first day of each month, and within 10 days that amount, together with any gift aid, is returned to the parish. Donors can tick a box that agrees an annual inflationary increase to their giving and, towards the end of the twelve-month period, they are contacted, told what the increase will be and asked if they still want this to happen. They can then write back and cancel for that year if they wish, and even round up to the nearest full pound or some other figure - or accept that their instructions are being followed and do nothing more. Donors are reminded at the end of each year to increase their giving by the amount of inflation - in this way, the church’s income increases to take account of inflation year on year a particular advantage since giving does not stagnate. This does not cost parishes anything (the Diocese pays the administration cost) and parishes see the benefit through regular income and gift aid, which is more often regularly adjusted for inflation. The treasurer is also saved from a considerable administrative responsibility. Every April the parish gets a summary for the tax year and can say “Thank you”. Donors can ask to be anonymous to their church. They can also write or phone at any time and increase, reduce or end their regular giving immediately. Jonathan said that there are now 43 PGS donors at Ringmer and monthly income has increased by £2580 in gift-aided giving with gift aid added immediately.Other givers are also more aware of the need to increase giving to keep up with inflation. In the diocese as a whole, 110 Churches have signed up so far and in January a total of £105,000 was distributed to parishes by PGS. A major part of the success at Ringmer was due to a well-conceived launch. It began with a launch - an excellent presentation by a member of the congregation (not the Treasurer) followed by a Q/A session.There were 65 people at the evening. By their Patronal Festival, Ringmer had increased its income by £13.500. The congregation has adopted the initial vision which prompted the appeal in the first place, and hopes to appoint a Youth Worker. A question was asked about whether this form of giving cancelled the gift aid for cash given in the plate. It does not affect this giving. Parishes can claim up to £5k for loose cash in the plate. People who still wish to put something in the plate as a token of communal giving can use a token provided by PGS. (Newhaven February 2014)

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