ALRESFORD DEANERY - in the Diocese of Winchester

Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday 13th February 2007 at the John Pearson Hall, New Alresford

Present: Revd. Jonathan Cruickshank (Chair), Barbara Griffiths (Lay Chair), 4 members of the clergy and 22 members of the laity.

Apologies: Robert Darley-Doran, Geoffrey Beetham, Michael Booth, Theo Mezger, Anita Austin, Shirley Maunder, Beryl Christmas, Lyn Hardy.

1. The meeting opened with prayer led by Revd. Phil Collins.
2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 12th October 2006, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, were slightly amended under the sub-heading Lango Link, to show that the Candover Valley and Wield with the help of the rest of the Deanery had raised sufficient money to buy Bishop John Charles a new truck. It was proposed (Lola Yorke), seconded (Sybil Hampton) that the Minutes were approved and signed. All voted in favour.
3. Matters Arising:
   
   Lango Link update - Barbara Griffiths thanked David Keighley for his presentation at the Lango service held in St. John's on Sunday 11th February. She reported that the total amount collected for Lango in the Deanery in the year Candlemas 2006 - Candlemas 2007 was £4000 of which £3500 had already been sent. So far this year £43 had been received from Cliddesden and £956 from New Alresford. At the deanery service the total figure received, together with tax reclaimed on gift aided contributions, was £628.10. Barbara Griffiths asked that parishes should send her their donations and make cheques payable to Alresford Deanery Overseas Account. David Keighly offered to meet with any interested groups to discuss the political and Islamic situation in Uganda.
   
   Deanery Website - Rob Attenborough has taken on the responsibility for the website. In order to keep this up to date it was important that members send him information. His e-mail address is .
4. Deanery Training Courses
   
   Minna Bruce said she and Graham Hendy would appreciate feedback as to what parishes would like in the way of training courses. Judy Bishop reported that a course for intercessors is being held on Wednesday 7th March at Kilmeston and anyone would be welcome. Hilary Carr mentioned that a course was being run at St. John's based on the book by Michael Mitton "A Heart to Listen" on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm. Joyce Huggett would be speaking at the meeting on March 27th. Again anyone was welcome to attend. The Chairman stressed the importance of all courses being on the website and information shared with all parishes in the Deanery.
5. Mission Audit
   
   Revd. Phil Collins gave a short presentation on Mission Audit 2007/08. He reminded members that the reason for the Audit was to determine how our church engages with and serves the local community, how we share God's love, how we help people become disciples of Jesus and how we make best use of our gifts and skills. The next "Taster Day" was on Monday 27th February 2007 at St. Paul's, Bursledon at either 2 pm or 7pm. There is an opportunity to hear presentation on 5 courses:
   
   
   • 'Growing Healthy Churches' - Robert Warren and ReSource
   • 'Discerning Church Vocation - Purpose-driven Church'
   • 'Gearing up for Mission' - CPAS
   • 'Colour your World' (Natural Church Development)
   • 'Faithworks' (Oasis - Steve Chalke)
   
   As one person can normally hear only 2 presentations during an afternoon or evening, it was necessary for 2 or 3 people from each parish to attend. It had been suggested by Ovington PCC that the deanery hold a "come together" session to share our thoughts prior to Pentecost.
6. Deanery Pastoral Plan.
   
   A revised Deanery Pastoral Plan, as attached to these Minutes, had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Chairman proposed the motion "This Synod approves the Deanery Pastoral Plan prepared by the Pastoral Committee entitled 'Consultation Document - Proposals for Future Deanery Reorganisation - February 2007'"
   
   The Revd. Royston Such said he intended to vote for this motion, but asked that his reason for so doing should be recorded in the Minutes. He spoke as follows:-
   
   My reasons are as follows:-
   
   Each benefice in the Deanery of Alresford shares a boundary with at least one other Deanery.
   
   I believe that when a benefice becomes vacant, one of the questions which should be asked is whether there are opportunities for co-operation with other benefices or parishes, and that this should include the possibility of cross Deanery co-operation.
   
   In the case of my own benefice, which borders Alton Deanery, there is a willingness to explore this when the time comes, but the matter has not been mooted with Alton Deanery.
   
   It must be clearly understood that that is all that is being said.
   
   My benefice and/or parishes are not seeking to leave Alresford Deanery.
   
   We wish to remain in Alresford Deanery every bit as much as the rest of you do.
   
   All we are expressing is
   
   
   1. a wish to be as flexible as possible in connection with pastoral reorganization in the event of a vacancy occurring, including the possibility of cross Deanery co-operation, and
   2. a hope that all the other benefices in this Deanery will be ready to match that flexibility by stating what cross Deanery co-operation they would envisage as possibilities for themselves in the future.
   Revd. Royston Such thanked Revd. Jonathan Cruickshank for the work carried out in connection with these proposals.
   
   With the following amendments to the Notes viz:
   

   2 Adding the word Possible before the word transfers..
   4 Deleting all words after the word SPBs
   Revd. Phil Collins proposed, Keith Monkhouse seconded, that this motion be carried.
   26 voted in favour, 2 abstentions.

7. Reports
   
   Chairman - Archdeacon Visitation will take place on 16th May 2007 at St. John's New Alresford. The deanery still needs a Deanery Finance Chair.
   
   Finance - Olwen Davies presented the annual accounts. The Standing Committee had proposed a £10 levy per representative for 2007 towards the running expenses of the deanery. All voted in favour. There was now sufficient money in the No.2 account to make gifts to local charities. It was agreed to give £400 to each of the following - Alzheimer's Society, Winchester, Winchester Churches Night Shelter,and the Trinity Centre.
   
   It was proposed (Revd. Phil Collins, seconded (Harry Verney) that the accounts were accepted. All voted in favour. Olwen Davies and Barbara Griffiths were thanked for their work in the preparation of these accounts.
8. A.O.B.
   
   Eileen Collins expressed unease at the increase in the budget of Services and Mission Charges. Revd. Parnell-Hopkinson pointed out that any objections concerning finance must be given to Treasurers of PCCs who should attend the consultation meetings for the draft diocesan budget held in June and July of the preceding year.
   
   The meeting closed at 8.55 pm with the Grace.