Summary of 2016/2017 Deanery Synod Meetings for Brimscombe APCM

The Deanery of Stroud is part of the a grouping of parishes which lie south of the city of Gloucester on the southern side of the River Severn.

The Deanery Synod is part of the way the gives people at different levels a chance to discuss key issues and organise the church's ministry and mission. It sits between the parishes with their Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) and the full diocese, with its Diocesan Synod. It is convened by an Area Dean and Lay Chair and consists of all the licensed clergy in the Deanery and lay people elected by the parishes at their Annual Parish Church Meeting. The lay members serve for three years.

The Synod meets three times a year, visiting different parts of the Deanery, and its business is organised by a small Standing and Pastoral Committee which has both clergy and lay members.

Area Dean: Revd Mike Smith Lay Chair: Margaret Sheather Interim Deanery Treasurer: Mr Mike Lambert Administrator: Mrs Sally Withers

Meetings during the year: 8th June 2016 at St Lawrence’s Church, Stroud 5th October 2016 at Cainscross Church Hall 1st February 2017 Horsley Church

8th June 2016 Speaker was Canon Benjamin Preece-Smith – Diocesan Secretary – Knowing your Deanery An interactive presentation looking objectively of our individual communities to help give us a clearer overview of those around us. Members were then split in to individual benefice group with detailed sheet to complete, broken down into specific categories within their communities. (18 different categories in total to choose from). Canon Preece-Smith then handed around answer sheets to each group, detailing the actual figures for each particular category, with the aim to reflect on the differences between the two and focus on the possible mission and outreach opportunities that might re-shape our Benefice. (Figures were taken from the 2015 Census, Experian Data adjusted to Benefice boundaries). Brimscombe and Woodchester: Thought we had more people living in poverty, when in general we have more successful professionals, so rather unaware of the wealth within our communities. Mission – there is an area between our two parishes where people feel they have no particular identity to either church. The Journeying Together initiative is our Deanery Action Plan and in view of +R ‘s ongoing review discussions around the Diocese our Plan will be put on hold for the time being. Plenty of reorganisation within the deanery including the coming together of Rodborough to Woodchester and Brimscombe and the formal approval for House of Duty post. Parish Share was in-line with expectations for the time of year.

5th October 2016 Speaker: Revd Canon Dr Andrew Braddock – Journeying-on Vision 2016 – the next steps Andrew reminded us of the prayerful journey and process so far in +Rachel’s Vision for the Diocese, to discern where God is leading us. Following the consultations over the summer, 6 thousand people from across the Diocese and the wider community at large have taken part and responded. Feedback has been collated and fed into a 48 hour retreat hosted by +R and a small group, which has led to the key themes and priorities laid out in the draft paper. Following the recent Deanery Plenary Meeting, further comments and suggestions were fed back by clergy at the Clergy Conference and the final statement is due to be published on the 18th November. Over the next few years we will be tasked together to interpret these priorities into action on the ground, and how we might find out own place within them set in our own particular context. The statement will form a ‘common framework within the Diocese’ and will help to guide and shape our energies for the future. Andrew confirmed that the whole process had led to a real sense of encouragement, confidence and optimism for the future at the recent Clergy Conference.

Parish Share 2017 as follows:

Stroud 2017 £ 2016 £ Parish share initial allocation 733,836 Allocation of Diocesan Stipends Fund (10,264) – bias to the poor Allocation of DSF – equal share between Deaneries (10,927) Parish share allocation required from your Deanery 712,645 722,653

The good news is that due to the use of central funds, this is a less challenging allocation than we have seen in the past. Breakdown figures per Benefice will be out shortly – it will be up to each individual Benefice to decide on the allocation per parish. The implementation and long term success of the vision process, with all its exciting opportunities, will be dependent upon our continued generosity, both in terms of money and time.

Revd Mike Smith agreed to take on the Area Dean for 2 years.

Archdeacon Robert Springett is to shortly become the new .

1st February 2017 Speaker: Bishop Robert Springett – Breathing LIFE into the Deaneries The Bishop was very engaging and challenged each of us to look anew at what is our purpose within our parishes/benefices and using +R’s Life Plan - John 10:10 ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ Focuses on Leadership, Imagination, Faith and Engagement. All the parishes/benefices were asked to circulate the feedback paper for discussion within PCCs and feedback to the Deanery. In addition, Jenny Fey who has joined the team ministry for youth at Holy Trinity Stroud was welcomed and given a blessing for her ministry. There was plenty of discussion and interesting feedback.

Theresa Yates-Round 20th March 2017