QUANTOCK DEANERY SYNOD

A meeting of the Quantock Deanery Synod is to be held on Tuesday 13 September 2016 at 7.00 pm in Fiddington Village Hall

To commence with a Synod Service of Holy CommunionDEANERY SYNOD AGENDA

The Rev Jon Rose, Rural Dean, to Chair the Synod

1. Minutes of Deanery Synod on 12 May 2016 at Nether Stowey – previously circulated but also attached.

2. Children and Young People activity report and feedback on 16 July Taster Day at Nether Stowey Church Centre (Patrick Weld); plus paper attached.

3. Finance report and update on the 2016 Deanery Missionary Project 'Improving Chances' – Ann Steer

4. Quantock Deanery Festival Communion Service on 30 October at 10.30 am in St Andrew's Church, Stogursey, followed by Bring and Share Lunch in Stogursey Victory Hall (Sally Bult and Jon Rose)

5. Shoeboxes – Pat Scott to show a short DVD. She will have boxes and leaflets available for distribution.

6. For information – Diocesan Synod Digest – July 2016:http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/2016/07/bishop-peter-shares-new-diocesan-vision/

7. Deanery Mission Planning, the role of http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/2016/07/bishop-peter-shares-new-diocesan-vision/Deanery Synod and the formation of the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group (paper attached from Jon Rose – for Synod discussion)

8. Frequency of meeting of Deanery Synod – a proposal (Jon Rose and Sally Bult)

Forthcoming Key Dates – Deanery Diary – to consider a wider circulation

2 October Celebration of Reader Ministry30 October 10.30 am Deanery Communion service at Stogursey Church and bring and share

lunch at Stogursey Victory Hall16 November Deanery Synod at Bicknoller Village Hall20 November Deanery Mission Project Closure Service at St Mary Magdalene, Stockland

Bristol at 3.00 pm27 November 'Shoebox' Service at Fiddington Village Hall at 3.00 pm

N.B. At the November Synod we will be considering projects put forward for next year's Deanery Missionary Project. Please submit any proposals you may have to the Rural Dean by Monday 17 October.

QUANTOCK DEANERY SYNOD

A meeting of the Quantock Deanery Synod held on Thursday 12 May 2016 at 7.30 pm in The Stable Loft, Nether Stowey (adjacent to the Church Centre)

AGENDASally Bult, Lay Chair of Deanery Synod to Chair the Synod

2. Presentation to Carole Balston, retiring Secretary of Synod

3. Minutes of the last Synod held in St Peter's Church, Williton on 11 February 2016 – previously circulated

4. Matters arising from the Minutes – to include:1. Deanery Confirmation Service on Thursday 16 June at Nether Stowey2. The Queen's 90th birthday celebrations3. Lay Worship Leadership course

4. Finance – Deanery Treasurer Ann Steer to report

5. Report by Patrick Weld, Deanery Youth Adviser – with a trailer for the “Taste and See” Day on 16 July at Nether Stowey Church Centre – activity work with children and young people

6. Deanery Synod – a resource for mission – discussion led by Mike Haslam, Chaplain, Taunton Academy and Assistant Rural Dean for the Taunton Deanery

7. The Quantock Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group – progress towards – Jon Rose

Forthcoming Key Dates – Deanery Diary – to consider a wider circulation

9 May Licensing of The Rev. Alison Waters, at St Mary's, Cannington15-21 May Christian Aid Week18 May Archdeacon's Visitation at St Peter's, Williton16 June Deanery Confirmation Service with Bishop Peter at Nether Stowey Church16 July 10.00am-2.00pm Children's Work Taster Day at Nether Stowey Church Centre25 July Licensing of The Rev. Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson at St Mary's Stogumber13 SeptemberNext Synod meeting at Fiddington Village Hall2 October Celebration of Reader Ministry30 October 11.00 am Deanery Communion service and bring and share lunch at Stogursey

Church 20 November Deanery Mission Project Closure Service at St Mary Magdalene, Stockland Bristol

MINUTES OF QUANTOCK DEANERY SYNODHELD IN THE STABLE LOFT, CHURCH CENTRE, NETHER STOWEY

ON THURSDAY 12 MAY 2016

Present: 29Apologies: 13

Revd Chloe Kingdon opened the evening at 7.00 pm presiding at a service of Holy Communion.

Light refreshments followed, leading into Synodical business

3. The Rural Dean introduced Revd Mike Haslam, Chaplain, Taunton Academy and Assistant Rural Dean for the Taunton Deanery who spoke about the informal way in which Taunton Deanery conducts it business.

Sitting in groups, rather than rows, we discussed what we mean by Mission, Evangelism and Discipleship. Suggestions included considering the needs of ones neighbour, listening to and supporting them, supporting charities and acting as street pastors.

We then considered reimagining Ministry and how ones everyday life communicates that one is a Christian, “We should preach the gospel at all times and use words when absolutely necessary.”

How has our particular church grown over the last five years and what are our hopes for the next five years? Suggestions included Bible Study groups, Messy Church, coffee mornings and Open The Book.

All churches with Action Plans are growing. We need to build on what we are good at. The drivers are good leadership, ordained and lay, extending a welcome to all, especially children. More information on this can be found on Google Search under “From Anecdote to Evidence”.

Mike's talk ended with an invitation to anyone who is interested to attend a Taunton Deanery Synod to see the different way in which it is conducted – all discussion and virtually no business.

ACTION: The Rural Dean at the Quantock Deanery Synod meeting in September, following further discussion with the Deanery Clergy Chapter, will aim to establish through Synod the start of Deanery priority plan for the year ahead with objectives and priorities which are hopefully achievable and linked to the Diocesan priorities outlined by Mike, of:

Seeking the Common GoodRe-imagining ministry; andGrowing the Church

The Rural Dean thanked Mike for a very interesting and helpful talk.

8. PresentationCarole Balston was presented with a bunch of flowers and warm thanks for her four years as Secretary of Synod and, although she was not at Synod, best wishes were expressed to Revd Bethan Guttridge as she and her husband leave the Watchet and Williton Benefice.

5. The Confirmation Service with Bishop Peter is at 7.00 pm on 16 June 2016 at Nether Stowey Church. All are welcome, not just candidates and their families, and it is hoped that there will be a good attendance by Synod representatives and members of all deanery PCCs. It is an occasion for celebration for the whole church.

6. Her Majesty the Queen's 90th Birthday CelebrationsQuantock Towers has a special Order of Service which all are invited to borrow or use as a basis for their Service.

7. FinanceThe Treasurer reported a balance of £1,120 in fees. So far she has received 8 donations for the Archdeacon of Taunton's retirement present. Other donations may be sent to her or direct to the Diocese. There is £31.60 in the 'designated fund' and £856 so far has been received for the Deanery Missionary Project. The fund for Patrick Weld, the Youth Co-ordinator, stands at £18,061. An offer of £600 has been made towards Patrick's salary from his work at Danesfield School.

8. Patrick Weld's Report (copy attached) was circulated at the meeting.

9. The Rural Dean announced that from the date of Archdeacon John Reed's retirement in June until the appointment of a permanent successor Revd Dr Andrew Tatham will be acting in that capacity.

Forthcoming Dates:

18 May Archdeacon's Visitation at St Peter's, Williton16 June Deanery Confirmation Service with Bishop Peter at Nether Stowey Church16 July 10.00am-2.00pm Children's Work Taster Day at Nether Stowey Church Centre25 July Licensing of The Rev. Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson at St Mary's Stogumber13 SeptemberNext Synod meeting at Fiddington Village Hall2 October Celebration of Reader Ministry30 October 11.00 am Deanery Communion service and bring and share lunch at Stogursey

Church 20 November Deanery Mission Project Closure Service at St Mary Magdalene, Stockland Bristol

The meeting closed with The Grace at 9.05 pm.

QUANTOCK DEANERY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE “TASTER DAY” PROGRAMME

Nether Stowey Church Centre – Saturday 16 th July 2016

OVERVIEWWe heard about several activities around the Benefice, aimed at children and young people – which also reach out to their parents and the wider community. The aim is to include the parents, who may be viewed as “lost to church” currently. In our Benefice, 12 out of the 13 schools are church schools and can play a vital role – and have been very welcoming.All those running these Children and Young People (CYP) presentations– along with national and Diocesan resources and Patrick’s support – made it seem very “doable”. All current leaders see themselves as a Deanery or Benefice resource rather than Parish alone and are happy to be consulted, loan materials etc.All said that working together strengthened fellowship, gave them purpose and they greatly enjoyed it.

No activities involved big costs – or large amounts of individuals’ time.Many who feel they cannot be directly involved, can also contribute. They can drive youngsters to venues, provide refreshments, and so on.Other worshippers who do not feel they can be directly involved can contribute by praying for success and can be kept involved by seeing photos etc. CYP events can and should form part of the regular Benefice or Parish diary.

RESOURCESApart from those involved with each initiative, there is also:PATRICK WELD: children’s, youth and schools development worker patrickweld@hotmail.co.ukJANE TIBBS: diocesan children’s adviser jane.tibbs@bathwells.anglican.orgDIOCESAN RESOURCE CENTRE: 01749-670777 and http://bathandwells.org.uk/supporting-ministry/resources-worship/resource-centre/

OPEN THE BOOKThis is overseen by the Bible Society, using Bob Hartman’s “The Lion’s Storyteller Bible” (£15.99), which is accompanied by a leader’s guide (£8). Full details can be found on: www.openthebook.netIt involves storytelling – not drama, is prescriptive and is used successfully in Williton, Watchet (and elsewhere across the Quantock Deanery). The Watchet/Williton team, who demonstrated Open the Book, consists of approximately 10 people and has linked to the 2 schools in their Benefice, using basic equipment and art materials. They begin with a presentation in each school during assembly, with the teachers present and have imaginatively linked it to an after school club in both schools. This has provided avenues to link to the parents as well as the children. In the street, children now recognise the presenters and this opens a conversation with parents. The team’s commitment is to present once per half-term plus some preparation time. In other settings Open the Book happened weekly (Stogursey) or fortnightly (Nether Stowey).They are hoping to have a Holy Communion experience for year 4, around the theme of the Lord’s Supper and will aim to involve the parents and the parish.Contact: Clive Gilbert, Williton and Watchet.

MESSY CHURCHThis is resourced by the Bible Reading Fellowship. Details are available on: www.messychurch.org.uk . To use the Messy Church name and logo you should register. The website has many resources and ideas.It is a church, not a crafts club, for encountering Jesus. It is called “messy” because this represents the messy peripheral edges of the worshipping community. It is NOT about getting people to attend regular church services, but something for the “belongers” to feel a part of something. The activity can however be included in service listings. Messy Church runs on a prescribed pattern adjusted to suit each setting. After registering the congregation experiences a variety of craft activities that are linked to a Christian theme. This is then expounded by a brief act of worship and the session concludes with a shared meal. There is a Messy Church magazine, which gives plenty of ideas. In Nether Stowey Messy Church is every six weeks on a Saturday tea-time 4:00-6:00. Tea is provided (cottage pie type) - this suits the community best. The Nether Stowey group ‘advertise’ by putting up huge banners, putting invites into book bags at school and with a Facebook page. : www.facebook.com/\messyChurchNetherStoweyIt is “all-age” – meeting with whole families at all stages of faith. On leaving there is a donations basket, which covers the costs. Contact: Kathryn Popham, Nether Stowey.

SPREESpree is a camp for 8 – 15 year olds, held in Devon. It is organised by Urban Saints and South West Youth Ministries (SWYM) Details on: http://www.urbansaints.orgNether Stowey has taken a group every year for the past five years and would like to make this a Deanery event. We are planning a 4 monthly (Nov and March) single day Spree (pre-Spree) for local children who might like to go to the main Spree. Contact: Robin Popham, Nether Stowey.

CHRISTMAS/EASTER JOURNEYDetails: http://christmasjourney.org.uk and http://easterjourney.org.ukNot many schools hold a traditional nativity play now – let alone an Easter play.The Christmas and Easter journeys tell the well known stories using a sense of travel through a variety of scenes. The space can be separated using gazebos giving the children a physical journey to follow. It can a one day holiday club, or presented in a school setting.Organisation includes: parental consent, booking forms, catering/drinks, and ‘belongers’ who help with activities. The costs are publicity materials – using book bags from school is good.The Christmas journey presents the Holy family’s journey to Bethlehem; followed by a media interview with shepherds (adult actors); then a conversation between puppet ass and sheep describing the birth of Jesus; then an opportunity to dress up as wise men as the gifts are explained; finishing with Patrick explaining who Jesus grew up to be.Easter journey: involves a dramatic retelling of Palm Sunday; the event s in the temple; having a meal laid out as the last supper; an actor portrays Pilate washing his hands and describing the trial of Jesus; Peter tells the story of betrayal; and finally Mary tells the story of the crucifixion from later in her life.There is lots of fun on the way – for example, the children make an Easter garden – which they can take home and share with their parents and talk about.The day can finish with learning a song – which is then sung to the parents when they come to collect.Nether Stowey is willing to lend their resources, Patrick can advise and there are 40 wise men costumes to borrow. Contact: Robin Popham, Nether Stowey.

HOLIDAY CLUBSIn Stogursey Patrick leads an assembly and gives a taster of the holiday club. It runs 10:00 – 1:00 and is for 4 – 12 year old. Runs for 4 days, although every setting will be different.Details: http://johnhardwick.org.uk .Scripture Union produces holiday club activity each year – supported by a DVD and book. The DVD includes songs, so there is no need for extra musicians. The Diocesan office has plenty of resources.Needs a small team, planning 3 months previously and a second meeting to finalise crafts and games. The usual format is an immediate activity on arrival e.g. making name badges or colouring in; then warm-up time to music; a game; a story and related questions; memory verse; drinks; crafts for 45-60 minutes; game before lunch; lunch; word-search; game; song. The children are sent off with a gift.There is a high proportion of adults. The cost is £1 per child per day, with some funding from the church.Maximum so far has been 18, minimum 5. This will vary according to venue and Church.Contact: Nicky Morgan, Quantock Coast.

NEXT STEPS

• Article in Somerset Free Press.

• Share with Deanery PCCs. Those who attended the taster day on 16 July at the NS Church Centre need to be ambassadors for these exciting and doable CYP activities.

• Hold a similar sharing event in 6 – 9 months’ time or sooner on request; and/or establish a Deanery Team to visit churches, Benefices to talk of their work with CYP and families.

Quantock Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group (The DMPG)Remit as stated by the Diocese:

1. To hold a strategic overview of the life of the deanery – to grow the church numerically and spiritually; to re-imagine ministry and to contribute to the common good (particularly in areas of social deprivation and being the good neighbour). In this context, the requirement is there to maintain and review a deanery plan for mission. The plan should take note of the current status of each parish and benefice and make proposals for the future.

2. To promote and encourage actions and events which encourage mission, pastoral care and discipleship across the deanery;

3. To understand, comment on and help implement any diocesan plans within the deanery; and

4. To contribute towards the development of an archdeaconry mission and pastoral strategy by reporting to the AMPG on a regular basis.

The DMPG reports to the Deanery Synod and should have broadly equal numbers of lay (including a Reader) and clerical representation – all representation taking a broad perspective of deanery working. Others with relevant experience and skills can be co-opted for particular tasks, etc. DMPG would meet as needed…..but probably 3/4 times a year at least.

The most recent statement from the Diocese ‘ Shaping our Future ’ • To place mission and evangelism at the heart of everything we do

• To realign our ministry resources towards mission• To identify, develop and use the gifts of our people

Quantock Deanery Synod in May 2016The Taunton Deanery representative (Mike Haslam) made several interesting points about his own deanery:

• All churches with mission action plans (MAPS) are growing…• We need to build on what we are good at…• We need to ensure we extend a welcome to all…• Deanery Synod should be open and explorative (and sharing) of good

missional practice…

As a Quantock Deanery what have we done/been planning/could do recently in a missional setting

in 2015/16? What is missed in the following or to add … . • Sought funding for a continuation of the Deanery CYP Adviser - ongoing• Delivered a Taster Day for activities with children and young people (July

2016)• The Deanery Missionary Project - -ongoing• Delivered a Lay Worship Assistant Course (May 2016)• Produced a Deanery monthly prayer calendar (July 2016)• Planning for a Deanery-wide festival communion service (October 2016)• Held a Deanery-wide Confirmation service (June 2016)• Proposal for a Deanery service around Valentines Day and invite all

married in past year to come to and (possibly) renew wedding vows.

Questions asked of our Quantock Deanery Parishes in the Autumn of 2016 brought about a 60% response: the following is a summary by January 2016:Children and Young People/FamiliesTo engage with younger families To develop more all age worshipTo improve school linksTo increase the size of the congregation with particular emphasis on attracting younger members To see effective mission work with younger families. To develop outreach and Fresh Expressions for children, including the establishment of a Youth Club;To bring in younger parishioners elected to the PCC, Special Services, 

To maintain better contact with wedding couples

The Elderly and the Isolated

To reaching out to the wider parish including the more isolated hamletsTo develop pastoral care within the parish, particularly for the elderly and infirm;To reach out and engage the wider community including the elderly

Mission and Outreach (general)To communicate more effectively with the non-church members of our community to make the church appear more relevant to them. To improve communication across the benefice by personal contactTo increase congregation size and age rangeTo have more integration with the other churches in the benefice and Deanery.To double the size of our congregation. To improve communication, information flow and outreach into the community. To develop better links with local community organisationsTo grow our churchTo develop the ability to think outside the box in terms of mission and outreachTo give 10% of income to charity/mission

WorshipTo make the presence of the church in the village more relevant by having more Festival services and to build on these to have more regular meaningful interesting and dynamic worship.

To preserve the integrity of our BCP services.

The Church Building

To repair and refurbish the Church buildingTo keep the buildings in good repairTo develop the Church building, in particular the North Chapel, so that it can become a better used and more versatile space for the whole community To re-order the church with improved facilities

General ‘within’ the Church fellowship

To retain the current congregation together with a strong sense of fellowship (in other words, to still be able to meet and share as we do at present)To recognize, encourage and support the gifts and vocations of the congregation. To rethink of our financial situation which in common with many rural churches is dire.

How do we proceed in relation to the working/membership of the Quantock DMPG and the formation of a Deanery Plan for Mission?

At the July 2016 meeting of the Quantock Deanery Synod Standing Committee (SC) there was general agreement (as per Diocesan guidance) that the SC would be translated into the Quantock DMPG. All lay members of the SC have expressed a wish to be members of the DMPG – viz. Sally Bult, Lay Chair (necessarily), Ann Steer, Treasurer and Jenny Swash, Secretary as well as D/Synod SC member Lucy Devitt. Those who have expressed clerical interest/early interest for DMPG membership: are the Revs Chloe Kingdon, Nicky Morgan and Alison Waters. It is also important to have Reader representation and to ensure coverage from across the Deanery, Donna Marsden (Watchet/Williton) has volunteered. Taken together and including the Rural Dean this would establish a membership of 8/9 (?). Patrick Weld, the Deanery Children and Young People (CYP) Adviser, would also be invited to attend DMPG meetings where CYP principally is under discussion.

Task: (1) the DMPG would oversee the Deanery planning and the Deanery pastoral (organizational) agenda; reporting to the Deanery Synod (DS) and making use of the Deanery Synod as an ‘ideas’ base for missional activity; and (2) the DMPG would meet 3/4 times a year preceding DS and in the course of its business set the agenda for the DS.

Process: (1) Procedurally, it is most appropriate that the DMPG in setting its planning agenda takes a firm note of individual Benefice/Church Group plans. There is therefore an urgency for Deanery Benefice plans to emerge – however modest they might be at an early stage. Benefice plans should following Diocesan guidance be linked to/take note of individual parishes such that that each parish has its own MAP contributing in whole or part to the Benefice Plan. (2) Benefice/Church Group plans taken together would feed the Deanery Mission Plan although the DMPG should feel able also to arrive at whole Deanery initiatives based on its overview of perceived Deanery need etc.

The Role and Activity of Deanery Synod: (1) there will continue to be matters of information passing and general business, eg for September 2016: CYP report, Deanery Festival Communion Service, shoeboxes etc; and a regular agenda item (2) - a DS membership led session on sharing of good and successful missional practice (very broadly set) presented by individual Benefices and/or parishes with ideas for progressing shared missional activity.

JGR/RD/August 2016