Issues arising from the Lyndhurst Deanery Parish Data returns Update 2.
In Update 1 we reported that the returns received from Parishes had been submitted to the Diocesan Officers. However, due to the number of requests received for reductions in the provisional AC assigned by the diocese, and the time available for meaningful discussions, the Deanery Team were unable to support any requests for reductions in the provisional ACs.
Since that time the Deanery has been in extensive discussions with the Diocese and it has become apparent that several Deaneries have found themselves in a similar position. TheDiocese has therefore decided that they will use the data submitted by the PCCs in the calculation of the parish share assessments for 2015. As indicated in the Guide these calculations will include the adjustments necessary to cover the transitional arrangements and for larger Worshipping Communities.
According to the timetable (Page 19) the Diocese will inform Parishes and the Deanery of the Parish Share by the 31st August. This will be followed by a discussion period in which any applications for special consideration should be submitted.
Thank you again for the efforts you have already made; we look forward to working with you as we explore this new system together.
Yours in Christ,
Alex Russell. David Heslop Martyn Taylor Peter Salisbury
Parish Share is a gift of money paid into the Common Mission Fund. The Common Mission Fund is the total of all parish payments in our Diocese. Every parish contributes every year and every parish receives from the Common Mission Fund the cost of its clergy. Expenditure on clergy includes stipend, pension contributions, housing cost and training.
How is Parish Share now being calculated for my church?
It is calculated as follows.
1. The worshipping community figure for each parish is multiplied by its socio economic category weighting which then gives a number of units. The results for all parishes are the aggregated.
2. The total sum needed from Parish Share towards the 2015 budget is divide by the aggregated number, giving a monetary value for each unit=£U.
3. The Parish Share for a given parish is their number of units multiplied by £U
What is meant by socio economic category?
Affluence is about the estimated ability of the congregation to contribute to the Common Mission Fund, when compared to other churches. It is expressed on a scale from A to G. A is the most unfavourably placed .G Most favourably placed. The Deanery have given us a suggested category of F. This means it is considered we are favourably placed and are judged to be able to pay relatively more per head into the Common Mission Fund than those in categories A,B and C.
What is the role in deaneries in all this?
The deanery finance team will collect our parish data. Will agree the membership figures and affluence banding for our parish.
Once initial calculations of Parish Shares have been made the deaneries will work with any parishes which feel they may be unable to meet the contribution requested.
We are today 23/7/2014 making application to renew our parish share for next year. We believe that our category is E.
"It is fundamental Biblical principle to resource the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere and not just where it can be afforded "
The team met on Thursday 10th July at Sway church hall. our summer meetings are a valuable opportunity to get to know each other better over a shared meal and to exchange news about our own parishes and link churches in Rwanda.
It was a beautiful summer evening and we were able to sit outside to enjoy a before official business.
We were welcomed by Neil Smart, the Vicar of Brockenhurst, who is our new chairman. The meeting began with a bible reading from Philippians followed by prayers.
The main business of the meeting was an update on the completion of last years lent project to fund the production of a film about 20 tears on from genocide.
Today Ruanda is a nation in recovery and as the DVD cover says, this is a remarkable story of reconciliation achieved through repentance and forgiveness. There are various edits of the film to be useful for schools and churches. They are already widely available in the deanery and then to every church in the diocese and each one contains study notes for use in groups. Distribution will spread to every school in the diocese.
Our much respected treasurer presented the accounts, impeccable as usual, and then announced his intention to stand down at the end of the year. He will continue to handle publicity for the lent project.
The meeting closed with prayer and a blessing.
We next meet on Thursday Sept 11th at 7.300pm at Brockenhurst to discuss the Lent Project for 2015.
Anyone wishing to borrow copy of the DVD please contact Sylvia Lovell 02380893284.
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What's up at Deanery?
Safeguarding
Details
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The Gospel speaks of welcome for all. Being faithful to this compels us to take with the utmost seriousness the challenge of preventing abuse from happening and responding well where it has.
For information, guidance & resources, please visit www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding. Further information is displayed on the notice boards in the Church porch.
