Barnard Castle Deanery News

The Deanery Synod met at Cockfield on Tuesday 22^nd June  2010

Mission Grants:  Revd Jacques was able to report that the Deanery had won £1000 Mission Grant from the Diocese towards three projects: the Mission Week in the Upper Dale; Alpha/Emmaus material for the Gaunless Valley and support for a new worship group in the Gaunless Valley.

Church day: The joint Anglican/Methodist group had net and discussed the Church Day’s worship (Feast of Christ the King). It was hoped that instrumentalists and singers could be got together beforehand from across the Deanery/Circuit to ‘lift’ the worship. Planning had been delayed because of the Methodist Superintendant’s illness.

Lesotho:  The Gaunless Valley parishes welcomed Motsedisi from Lesotho. She was introduced to synod and given a  warm welcome

Deanery Missioner: Martin Jacques was helping Barnard Castle to develop the use of its labyrinth. Planning for the Mission week in the Upper Dale was underway. People were encouraged to make use of the e-mail newlsetter

Deanery Plan Matters:

 At its last meeting synod had decided that the main areas for the synod to address in the coming years were:

Schools work; work with Young People; Training; Restoring the Sacred Centre and Finance. Other work ecumenically was ongoing. A Church trail leaflet was to be produced.

 The synod pooled ideas for involvement from parishes with their local schools as a means of sharing good practice. The full list of how the church and local schools are working together will be circulated to synod in the minutes: the list was a great encouragement and included: being Governors; leading Friends Groups; reading in schools: school worship; displays; Magazine articles; special services; a Christian ethos committee and teaching the Valetta!

 Training: the Wings for Worship Course is coming to the Deanery. Leadership will be shared with folk from Darlington Deanery. The course is an encouragement for   people to help share in leading worship at all levels (from Reading lessons to leading intercessions to leading a full service). Martin Jacques said that the course must be tailored to our needs and so he would welcome input as to what parishes would like to be included in the course.

 Finance:  The Standing Committee is calling a meeting Treasurers on July 20^th (7.00pm at Barnard Castle Church) to review the Parish Share. There was a ‘vigorous discussion’ about whether a review was necessary/ helpful but synod had agreed to review the share at its meeting in November 2009. Figures based on this year’s formula will be circulated as will proposals that take account of Ministry Costs. The share discussion has 4 ½ months to be worked through the parishes and deanery.

 Anglican/Methodist News:  A possible joint ‘Pilgrimage’ is being discussed for Deanery/Circuit members

Next year is the 400^th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible and preliminary discussions about joint activity to mark the anniversary and to promote Bible Reading are on the agenda.

Church Welcome: Rev. Steventon circulated a first draft of a church trail leaflet for comment.

 Wedding Fair: Darlington Deanery had won a Mission Grant to enable them to purchase wedding fair displays. There was scope for Barnard Castle Deanery to make use of these too.

 Any Other Business:

·       Synod was asked to pray for Emma Johnson as she would be ordained priest on June 26^th. There would be seats in the Cathedral for any from the Deanery travelling to the ordination to support her.

·       The Bishop’s farewell service is at 7.30pm on Tuesday July 13^th in the Cathedral.

·       The Upper Dale was hosting an event to be led by the RSCM to encourage music making in small churches. This would be from 3.00pm on Sunday October 3^rd at Middleton.

The next synod meeting will be at Gainford on 21^st September 2010.