On Saturday 15 October 2022, Deanery Development Groups (DDGs) from across the diocese met to hear about the launch of the Deanery Mission Planning process. You can watch videos from the day here.
This task is for each deanery to develop their vision and mission for the deanery, consistent with the values and priorities discerned by the diocese, and produce a plan for the deployment of our clergy and lay ministry. In support of this, there are four key documents:
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Praying and Learning Together resources – to help equip and support us throughout the planning process, and beyond.
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A revised Deanery Development Groups Handbook – a reminder of the role of DDGs and their remit.
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A Briefing document which provides some overarching background and context.
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A Deanery Mission Planning Template - which has been shared separately with each deanery – containing both data to support and inform the planning process, and the planning template to be completed and submitted by each deanery.
Bishop Mark introduces the Deanery Planning Process and encourages everyone to get involved.
Rev Louise Taylor-Kenyon provides an Area Dean's perspective on the Deanery Planning Process and explains what its been like to be involved in the process.
Deanery Planning work is very much ongoing and is proving fruitful. We are grateful for everyone’s continued commitment and creativity in this regard.
Following the well-attended and uplifting Celebration Event in the Cathedral on June 1st, senior staff continue to visit DDGs as well as speaking with Area Deans and Synods as requested.
Diocesan Synod is due to discuss the deployment plan arising from DDG plans in November.
Our hope is that, through this process, we discern the way forward together to meet the challenge of serving and proclaiming the gospel in each and every one of our contexts. As we journey together, we do this in a spirit of hopeful realism – aware of the challenges of resource but acknowledging that God is seeking to do a new thing and prompting us to do things differently.