Canon Bernard's Words

23 June 2010

“A Committee is to be formed to review existing deanery and parish structures.”

As promised the committee was indeed formed and comprised of Caroline Williams from Salisbury, Linda Dineen from Bristol, Canon John Cunningham from Taunton, Father David Mills from Calne, Roy Beckwith from Minehead, Deacon Kevin Moloney from Bristol and myself from Gloucester. We took as our remit: to review the existing structures that shape us as a diocese, as deaneries and as parishes, and to plan for the future, remaining open to all possibilities and recognising the need for new structures that will equip us as we move forward.  This was a daunting task, but one that we took on knowing that, at every step, we could seek the guidance and help of others in our deliberations.

We didn’t start with a blank canvas or a clean sheet. We were aware of the experience of others who had set out this way before us. We studied previous reports prepared for our diocese, and in addition we considered what other dioceses had proposed in similar circumstances to our own. We also had the model of diocesan consultation that had proved so successful from the ‘Seeking the Face of Christ’ documents and its final outcome ‘Called to be a People of Hope.’

And so, steeped in the teaching of the Church, the traditions of our faith, and the experience we share, the committee began a period a period of consultation and discussion with all parts of our diocese. This resulted in responses from individuals, communities, parishes and deaneries.

From all of this, we were able to discern patterns and ideas that helped us formulate, first, a document to evoke discussion with others.

This provoked a great deal of interest and debate. It created a reaction that helped us go to the next step, to take the idea of change forward. It confirmed to us that there was no ‘one answer’, and no ‘one solution’. We also realized that what we proposed would not necessarily be met with universal approval.  Partly because when you try to link 107 parishes, you soon realise that ‘you can’t please all of the people all of the time’. However the final document does reflect the shared wisdom and local knowledge of the vast majority of those who participated in these consultations.

And so we come to the document to will receive this evening ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’.  It does not contain all the answers, it does not even attempt to answer all the questions, and it does not pretend to be a master plan, nor a template to be imposed from above, but it is a way forward, and it does signify ways of working together that endeavours to make best use of our people, clergy and laity alike, and our resources.

The committee that was formed has done its work. Like the sower in the gospel, the seeds have been sown, some of them will grow and bear fruit, and some ideas will remain undeveloped and redundant. In all of it, we tried to remain focused on Christ, knowing we can never fully comprehend the breadth, the length, the depth, and the height of love and the different ways in which we can reveal his face in our part of the world.  
So where do we go from here?

As we look at the parishes of the diocese we will see that there will be change everywhere.  The changes proposed are to be found in the document, every parish is mentioned. In some places, the changes appear to be minimal, or have already taken place. Other parishes will have to look at new ways of being the Church in their locality, often being required to work more closely with their neighbouring parishes.  

Some parish communities have already begun to engage with the changes outlined in the booklet such as shared sacramental preparation and amalgamation of administration; and for many these have had a positive effect on their parishes. Other parishes, in changed circumstances, are experiencing a sense of loss of what was familiar. They have been experiencing the loss of their accustomed times for the celebration of the Mass. It is difficult, it is not without pain, but it is the reality of how we as a diocese are going to exist, and grow, in the future.

None of us are on this journey alone. None of us can plough ahead without looking around us to see where we need help, and where we can offer help. The diocesan structures are there to help, by providing advice, guidance and enabling the sharing of resources.  All the consultation documents and responses have been kept.  All this shared experience, knowledge and the many suggestions will be available so that ongoing support can and will be provided. 

We will look at the deanery size and structure, to ensure that it serves the needs of the diocese both now and in the future. The engagement of various types of pastoral councils; diocesan, deanery and parish, will be seen as vital for communication and mutual support.  All our structures will develop, some quicker than others, some slower than maybe we would like.

The committee that has met for the past 18 months has now completed its task. We hand on the baton to the group that will oversee and help to implement the changes ahead. I’m sure that the deans will play a crucial role and liaise closely with this group, and will work within their own deaneries and those around them.

There are obvious ways in which parishes can start this process: some of which we have mentioned such as sharing sacramental programmes, working and liaising with regards to providing pastoral cover for hospitals, schools, prisons, universities and convents, and combining newsletters. But there are other ways, ways more challenging: It is about being the Church, being the face of Christ, and being disciples with the duty of proclaiming the Good News of the Resurrection.  All our deliberations, our processes, are about how we celebrate our faith; about living and proclaiming our faith.  It is all about how we, as the people of God in the Clifton Diocese, can shape ourselves and our communities so that together we can be ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission.’