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Berkshire Archdeaconry Report to Bishop’s Council October 2015

There is a lot to thank God for in the life of the Church of England in Berkshire. Various things are either being planned for, or have just started or are coming up.

 Climate Event: On 5th December, a whole day event at Reading Minster to highlight climate issues as the Paris Summit gets underway. The day is likely to include a family-friendly daytime climate pilgrimage through Reading; a photo exhibition in the Minster, with prayer stations; a big outdoor human display; social media activity ; an afternoon talk, a la Café Theologique, with an ‘expert’ sitting on a stool in the Minster, to speak for 40 minutes followed by questions; a Climate Mass, to which we’d invite parishes from across Reading –space, prayer stations, images, sounds etc and late night use of the Sanctuary space that ‘clubbers’ usually drop-in to, provide a prayer space appealing to all the senses.

 Churchwarden training: Following on from the very successful morning in March, a second session will be held on 7th November at Greyfriars.

 Fundraisers’ Forum: Following on from the churchwardens’ training, an afternoon for those involved in large scale fundraising to meet, share ideas and experiences, find out where the money is and get some training in apply for grants.

 The New Communities Forum morning organised by Peter Morgan on 30th September will be followed by an afternoon session for those parishes which have large new builds coming. Questions of community development, ministry deployment, what does church look like where there is no church, and how to shape new posts most strategically will be discussed. Feedback will go to the Berkshire AMPC in November.

 Appointments: We have made a series of excellent appointments, including two which take advantage of the changes in the Clergy Terms of Service Reg. 29 rules allowing the appointment of interim ministers (at Holy Trinity Reading and Holy Trinity Bracknell) for 3 years. We now have our first clergy couple sharing a post at St Peter’s, Earley. We have the first woman priest in the parish of St John, Newbury, which is now in a joint benefice with St George, Wash Common. We were delighted to welcome a priest from Egypt as incumbent of the benefice of Old Windsor, and an Australian to St Nicholas, Newbury as assistant minister.

 All but a handful of the suspensions have been lifted over the past 18 months.

 A deanery morning in Bradfield in September showcased some wonderful and innovative outreach being done by many churches. For example, Singing for Fun, a Fresh Expression at St Mary’s Purley where more than 70 older people meet weekly to sing, dance, talk, pray and break down isolation and loneliness.

 Negotiations are underway for the acquisition of a Berkshire Area Office at Theale Lakes Business Park.

 We are in the process of setting up our first BMO in Windsor.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

Olivia Graham 29th September 2015