Paper ODS 16.05 2015 SYNOD REPORTS Purpose: To join with God in creating a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the Diocese of Oxford, enabling every Christian community to live and share the love of God, seen in the life of Jesus Christ. DIOCESE OF OXFORD 2015 SYNOD REPORTS CONTENTS Page No The Diocese of Oxford – an overview 2 Foreword by the Acting Bishop of Oxford 3 Bishop’s Council Membership and Report 4-5 Mission and Pastoral Committee, Diocesan 6 Board of Finance, Diocesan 7-13 Advisory Committee, Diocesan 14 Communications and The Door, Diocesan 15 Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Diocesan 16 Committee for Interfaith Relations, Diocesan 17 Education, Diocesan Board of 18 Glebe and Buildings Committees, Diocesan 19-20 Mission, Diocesan Board of 21-23 Mothers’ Union, Diocesan 24 Parents and Children Together 25 World Mission, Oxford Diocesan Council for Partnership in 26 Patronage, Diocesan Board of 27 Trustees (Oxford) Ltd, Diocesan 28 Appendix 1 - Share paid by summary 29 Appendix 2 - Share paid, by parish 30-35 Appendix 3 - Board and Committee members 36-37 Acronyms 38 This book contains reports to the Diocesan Synod. The Statutory Reports and Accounts of the Oxford DBF, the Diocesan Board of Education and the Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Ltd are available on request. 1 THE DIOCESE OF OXFORD – AN OVERVIEW The Diocese of Oxford has: The largest numbers of parishes and churches of any diocese in the Church of England. A population of 2,335,000 (2014). The Diocese of Oxford is: The fifth most populous diocese in the Church of England The sixth largest diocese in land area in the Church of England anticipating over 200,000 additional houses and 475,000 more people by 2026. As of March 2015, the Diocese had: 290 benefices 622 parishes 815 churches, of which more than 660 are listed buildings More than 51,000 people on church electoral rolls Approximately 600 parochial clergy, plus around 400 active retired and 100 on non-parochial licenses Around 300 Licensed Lay Ministers Around 100 Youth/Children/Family workers More than 58,000 children attending our church schools. 2 FOREWORD BY THE ACTING BISHOP OF OXFORD As ever I must begin this report by saying a big ‘thank-you’ to all those – paid staff and volunteers alike – who have given so much of themselves, their prayers, their imagination (and sheer hard work) in enabling what is described here to happen. 2015 was an odd year in many ways. We began it fully expecting that by the late summer or early autumn we would be welcoming a new Diocesan Bishop. Of course that did not happen and we had to wait another year and a bit before we heard that Steven Croft would be coming to join us in that role. Happily, since the centre of the Diocese lies in its parishes, most of its life continued unabated. Prayers were prayed; worship was said or sung or expressed through silence; service of others remained central; yes, and the Parish Share continued to be given in quite remarkably generous ways. We also continued to seek to express our love of Christ in new ways, as well as honouring old ones. For me, even if it has been hard work, it has been very energising too. Oxford is a great Diocese to serve in and long may it continue to flourish. May I encourage you to read these reports and to use them as a basis for intercession, praise and thanksgiving. The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher Bishop of Dorchester and Acting Bishop of Oxford 3 BISHOP’S COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE DIOCESAN SYNOD AND STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE OXFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE EX OFFICIO MEMBERS The Acting Bishop of Oxford (President) and Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Revd C W Fletcher The Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Revd Dr A T L Wilson The Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd A J Proud The Archdeacon of Oxford, the Ven. M Gorick The Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Ven. O Graham The Archdeacon of Buckingham, the Ven. K M Gorham (until 23.2.16) The Archdeacon of Dorchester, the Ven. J K French The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Canon Prof M Percy Vice-President of Diocesan Synod, the Revd Canon S E Booys Vice-President of Diocesan Synod, Mrs J M Scott Chairman of the Board of Finance, Revd J H Tattersall Vice-Chairman of the Board of Finance, Mr M R Hardman ELECTED MEMBERS CLERICAL LAY ARCHDEACONRY OF OXFORD Revd Canon Dr A W H Bunch (until 14.7.15) Mrs A W A M Lee (until 14.7.15) Revd D W McFarland (from 26.10.15) Mrs P L Michael (until 14.7.15) Mr H Gibbon (from 26.10.15) Ms J Ozanne (from 26.10.15) ARCHDEACONRY OF DORCHESTER Revd Canon S E Booys Revd T C Wright (until 14.7.15) Mr S A Richards Revd Canon A M Daffern (from 1.11.15) Mr M H Waring The Revd J J West (from 27.1.16) Mr J J Macnamara (from 26.10.15) ARCHDEACONRY OF BERKSHIRE Revd T C Davis (until 14.7.15) Mr J P Smith Revd Canon D P Hodgson (until 14.7.15) Mrs J M Scott Revd Canon A P Marsden Prof J F Missenden (until 14.7.15) Revd Dr G Fancourt (from 28.9.15) Mr A. Glaze (from 26.10.15) Mr M F Chandler (from 27.1.16) ARCHDEACONRY OF BUCKINGHAM Revd Canon A K E Blyth Mrs J A Babb Revd Canon R E Harper (until 7.12.15) Mr R E Chapman (until 11.6.15) Revd D W F Witchell (until 14.7.15) Mrs J Dziegiel The Revd CI Walton (from 9.12.15) Dr A Thomas-Betts (until 31.10.15) Mr R G Merrylees (from 26.10.15) BISHOP’S NOMINATIONS Mr R A Birch, Lord Blair of Boughton (until 16.7.15), Dr A Thomas-Betts (4.1.16) SECRETARY OF SYNOD: Canon R A Pearce COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Mr H C Cattermole (until 12.4.15), Ms Petronella Spivey (from 1.9.15) DIRECTOR OF FINANCE: Mrs A Jestico 4 BISHOP’S COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Chair: Bishop of Dorchester Costs 2015: £21,700 Secretary: Diocesan Secretary 0.1% of total budget The work of Bishop’s Council continues to be framed by the strategic priorities of the Diocese as set out in Living Faith. Key Issues addressed in the year As the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod, Bishop’s Council: Received a report about projects supported by Mission and Ministry Support funding from Church Commissioners, and approved continued distribution of the fund into 2016. (Feb 15). Received reports about the continued search for a new Bishop. Agreed to continue financing the work of the advisor for Spiritual Care of Older People (July 15) Received a report on the overseas link with Kimberley and Kuruman noting the distinctiveness of a Diocesan link, the opportunities for Oxford to learn more, and also the value of a model for holding different views about significant issues within a communion (Dec 15). Discussed in detail the new Archdeaconry Mission Action Plans (May 15 and July 15), and received updates from the areas. Received reports about the Reform and Renewal programme, particularly the financing of Initial Ministerial Education (Dec 15). Considered the Diocesan Response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (Oct 2015) Received reports on the continued efforts to reduce costs (July 15) Concluded the search for more office accommodation by agreeing the purchase of a new area office in Theale and Bannister House (Feb 15), and received updates on the progress of relocating staff there. Following the decisions at Diocesan Synod in June 2015 that Bishop’s Council should take on the functions of the DMPC, it took on this work. A separate Annual report is provided. Received reports about the elections to the Diocesan Synod and subsequent elections to Boards and Councils, including Bishop’s Council itself. (Oct 15) Received regular reports from departments and discussed the departmental work objectives. Recommended to Diocesan Synod changes to the Buildings Committee Constitution. (May 15) Received reports from all Boards and Committees. Diocesan Board of Finance In its role as the Standing Committee of the Board of Finance, the Council: Considered and made recommendations to Diocesan Synod about how to allocate the unbudgeted surplus arising from the 2014 budget and a revised parish share scheme. (Feb 15) Considered and made recommendations to Diocesan Synod of the 2016 budget and projections Considered and made recommendations to Diocesan Synod of a revised Memorandum and Articles of association. (Feb 15, Dec 15) Agreed a Conflict of Interest Policy. (Dec 15) Monitored revenue and expenditure, levels of reserve and loans. Fulfilled statutory and regulatory obligations in terms of company and charity reporting, audit, management of risk, overdrafts and bank signatories. 5 OXFORD DIOCESAN MISSION AND PASTORAL COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Costs: £33,100 0.1% of the total budget 1. At its June meeting, Diocesan Synod approved a proposal that Bishop’s Council should assume the functions of the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee. Consequently, the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee met for the last time in May 2015 before handing over work to the Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Committees and to Bishop’s Council. At that meeting it examined the Archdeaconry Mission Action Plans. 2. Discussion continued in the four archdeaconry subcommittees on mission action planning within the framework of the diocesan ministry policy.