ALRESFORD DEANERY - in the Diocese of Winchester

Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 11th October 2007 at Dummer Village Hall

Present: Revd. Jonathan Cruickshank (Chair) Barbara Griffiths (Lay Chair), 3 members of the clergy, 20 members of the laity, Pauline Cruickshank (Secretary).

1. The meeting opened with prayer led by led by Revd Clive Parnell-Hopkinson.
2. Welcome
3. Apologies: Michael Booth, Mike Bruce, Bernard Cazenove, B Christmas, Erica Cook, Eileen Collins, Revd Canon Graham Hendy, Rev David Keighley, Lord Portsmouth, Lord Temple, A. Leonard.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd May 2007
   These had been circulated prior to the meeting. Thanks were extended to Judy Bishop for taking the minutes. It was proposed by Robert Darley-Doran and seconded by Richard Milligan that they be approved and signed. All voted in favour.
5. Matters Arising:
   Nothing to report
6. Chairmans’ Update
   Nothing to report
7. Lango
   Captain Moses, Church Army Youth Chaplain to the Lango Diocese, was welcomed by the Chair before he gave a short talk about the Diocese of Lango. He conveyed greetings and blessings from Bishop Charles who wanted us to know how much he appreciated the support that was received from Winchester Diocese. Captain Moses also expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome he had received whilst staying in the deanery.
   He told us that currently there are four students attending a Christian University in Uganda whose educational costs were being met by our contributions. Captain Moses also said that thanks to our contributions a new four-wheeled vehicle was recently purchased for the bishop so that he could now reach more people who were living in remote locations. Barbara Griffiths noted that we have all gained much from Captain Moses visit. Bishop Charles wanted us to specify projects for the contributions we make and that perhaps Captain Moses could give us some suggestions. Captain Moses also said that he would be willing to come back for one month every year to help the exchange of mission work between Lango and our Diocese.
   The Chair pointed out that out of 70 million Anglicans world-wide 45 million were in Africa, he expressed his hope that the African Bishops would resolve the problems that are preventing them from attending the next Lambeth Conference. The talk was concluded with the Chair thanking Captain Moses and sending our love to him and Bishop Charles.
8. Mission Audit Update – Revd Phil Collins
   At the next Standing Committee in November, he suggested that something could be arranged for next year and he suggested that it would be a good idea to think about where we are and where we could or want to be.
9. Deanery Fit for Purpose Report
   Three groups had a short discussion on two questions from page 4 of the report that was received from Diocesan Synod. The questions discussed were ‘What framework is required to deliver the purposes?’ and ‘What form of leadership will this framework require?’
   
   Following the discussions several points were highlighted. Question 1 was discussed first. It was noted that knowledge of each other was paramount, that small meeting groups had much better understanding of situations. It was also noted that if one churchwarden from each church participated in the meetings, the group would become more dynamic resulting in better communication between parishes. It was also noted that the Chair should have a proper paid secretary to take care of all secretarial issues. It was felt that the framework size was OK but it was not being made to work properly. A lack of detail led to a feeling of not being trusted with information – the communication lines are not good as was demonstrated recently when information was requested in July for a meeting in September and owing to summer holidays most people did not have time to respond effectively. The Deanery as a halfway house was suggested as an effective means for the exchange of information between synods. It was also felt that the Deanery should have more power because at the moment there was a feeling of being disenfranchised. Overall it was felt that communication was the main problem.
   
   Question 2- It was pointed out by Barbara Griffiths that the population of the entire Alresford deanery was equivalent to the size of one urban parish but covered a very large geographical area. It was felt that 2 churchwardens should be at Deanery Synod meetings. If one could not attend then a system of deputies should exist to cover for meetings. Questions were raised regarding the relationship between Chapter and Deanery Synod and to the level of lay commitment. The Chair commented that a question had been asked as to why Readers were not part of the Chapter. He said that he would like to see a Chapter that involved Readers and lay people. Royston pointed out that Chapter was not the place for relevant decisions to be made that should be discussed at Synod.
10. Parish Share Allocation Document
    The Parish share document was circulated to the Standing committee at very short notice and they had to make a response to the Diocese by 1 September in the absence of Synod meeting before then, which is why Synod representatives had no chance to read or comment by this deadline. Harry Verney missed the meeting in June. He obtained information by email on the breakdown of the share and how it was reached as proposed for 2009. Not all this information was provided in the document sent to Deanery reps and it was noted that there were a number of mistakes in the data from the 2001 Census..
    The increase this year across the Diocese is 1.7%. Next year it will be 5%. It was noted that Church house is currently economising on overheads. The aim in the proposals for 2009 is that all benefices should pay COPM figure (£50,000) + 1.4 times to cover overheads. Several alternative methods for sharing out the Deanery Share allocation between the benefices were discussed:
    
    
    1. possible council tax type banding
    2. Average attendance in church
    3. Church electoral roll numbers
    Harry Verney will meet with the Parish Treasurers and try to devise a fair scheme for the sharing out of the Deanery Allocation for 2009 which then will be discussed at the next Deanery Synod in 2008
    
    After much discussion the Chair proposed the following Diocesan Synod Resolution to be approved:
    
    
    1. To approve the principles of the new system on the basis of the work so far.
    2. To endorse that consultation takes place with parish and deanery officers, culminating in a draft apportionment for 2009 in the period to 31 March 2008
    The Voting was: 5 agree 15 disagree 2 abstain
    The Resolution was rejected.
    
    Diocesan Synod Members would report this result to the meeting on Saturday 13 October
11. Finance
    The Chair proposed that the authorisation of cheques over £100 on the Deanery Synod account require two signatures.
    It was agreed that Olwen Davies be the first signature and Barbara Griffiths be the second signature.
12. A.O.B
    Harry asked that treasurers be reminded that Church House is moving on 14th December so it is important over the Christmas period to get all cheques in by 1st December so that they can be banked before the 14th; cheques can be post dated.
    
    Prayers for Pat Clegg were requested for her Licensing next week.
    
    Preston Candover are having an Advent service on 1st December and invite all to attend. Elizabeth asked for names of Synod members to be circulated to everyone.
    
    The meeting closed at 9.40 pm with the Grace.