© Isle LMG
2008
Ashill, Barrington, Broadway,Chillington, Cudworth, Curry Rivel, Donyatt, Dowlish Wake, Fivehead, Horton, Ilminster, Ilton, Isle Abbotts, Isle Brewers, Kingstone, Puckington, Shepton Beauchamp, Stocklinch, Swell, Whitelackington
ISLE LOCAL MINISTRY GROUP
MEETING HELD AT FIVEHEAD VILLAGE HALL
ON MONDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2005
1. The Revd Nigel Whinney acted as Chairman with the Revds Geoff Wade and Andrew Tatham making presentations.
2. Margaret Smith opened the meeting with prayers.
3. Nigel Whinney, with his Rural Dean’s hat on, gave a brief explanation of the drafting process of the Deanery Plan which had its origins before the Changing Lives Diocesan paper emerged. He outlined the consultation process with the Deanery Pastoral Committee, Synod, the clergy and the PCCs. One of the premises of the original document was that in this Deanery, it is the smaller, more rural, parishes who give more, pro rata, to the Diocese in the form of Parish Share (65%). Another was that it is vital to keep full pastoral care in the parishes when dwindling clergy numbers dictated that stipendiary clergy would be concentrated in places where the larger numbers of people lived and worked. The original Deanery Plan estimated that the minimum number of clergy needed would be 10. In the Diocese’s Green Paper the number given was 11.5. The half time post was given to Exmoor Deanery and accepted with great alacrity. The Green paper has three imperatives:
a. No one is to work alone. There shall be at least two clergy working together (Jesus sent his disciples out in twos).
b. We must play to our strengths (our God has given us all talents to be used in his service).
c. We must spread the load. Many people should be working for God’s kingdom here on earth, doing what they are good at.
4. Geoff Wade read a verse from Matthew 28 and reminded the meeting that Jesus promised that he will be with us until the end of the age. Geoff then stated that there would be 60 parishes in the new Deanery. This is almost as big as some dioceses. We must change the way things are done. There would be 5 LMGs within the Deanery. The Diocese originally issued the plan but have left it to Deaneries to sort out the details. The Rural Dean had taken the initiative with a plan that had now been approved by the Bishop. LMGs will be classified as Informal Groups working voluntarily together. Other forms were Formal Groups which are legally bound together and Teams with a Rector as the legal incumbent and vicars working for him. Geoff emphasised that Changing Lives in the community amounts to MISSION, not just reorganisation. The Bishops are very anxious that every Christian goes out into the community to talk about their faith and to pass on the gospel message. Nigel then explained that in 2012 when the whole plan is to be fully functional, the 4 southern parishes of Geoff’s benefice would exist under the umbrella of Ilminster, perhaps with extra clergy cover in the form of a House for Duty. The 4 northern parishes would join the South Petherton LMG where there would be 2 clergy. The new LMG will have 3 clergy as well as 7 Readers and 1 non stipendiary clergy.
5. Andrew Tatham suggested that this new LMG be called the Isle LMG and this was
approved by those at the meeting. Nigel told us that the Deanery Synod on 13th February
2006 will involve a full discussion on a new title for the Deanery and the way in
which it would work. A briefing paper would be promulgated to promote discussion
in PCCs. It was important that each parish was represented at these meetings. PCCs
would be asked to put forward 2 names as representatives. If neither were able to
attend, someone else should attend in their place. It is important that each parish
is represented. Andrew said that it would be necessary to have a Chair and a Secretary
as a start but a Co-
6. It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday 27th February 2006.
7. The meeting closed with prayer.