PART TWO: DEANERY MISSION PLANS

2.2 Abergavenny Deanery
(Allocated 5 stipends)

The plan was an extensively researched document with a pen portrait of each of the present benefices. The Deanery Conference had given its working group a clear remit:

• to plan for growth through mission and appropriate forms of ministry.
• to review parochial and deanery boundaries and groups.
• to assess provision, including training for clergy and lay people; taking account of financial and pastoral considerations.

There was a concern not to lose the spiritual focus of the church's life and to be sensitive to the range of spiritual, pastoral and practical issues inherent in any re-ordering of areas or of ministry roles. They detected a need for greater communication between incumbents and parishes at all levels. They considered their deanery small enough to foster relationships and big enough to provide a critical mass for joint action. A core principle was that of giving each stipendiary minister the cure of souls in a discrete area, based on traditional parishes, with a clear understanding and acceptance of additional roles and duties across the deanery. As the process of change is enacted, care must be given to processes that build team skills and address the conflicts that arise in adjusting to new ways of working.

The deanery identified five parish groupings based on the following criteria

• Each grouping is based on a core substantial parish, in which there is a secure fellowship backed by financial and administrative competence.

• Each larger parish or two small parishes should be able to identify with a minister who lives in and regularly leads worship in the parish.

• A ratio of one stipendiary minister to 100 worshippers should be attainable.

• There should be an equable workload between incumbents.

• Natural boundaries and social affiliations are respected (as far as possible).

• The stages of implementation take account of where vacancies are expected to occur.

• The proposals have regard to personalities and style, but not at the expense of other criteria.
  

The groupings were identified as:

'Abergavenny Group' focussed on St. Mary's (2 stipends)
'North Abergavenny' focussed on Llantilio Pertholey (1 stipend)
'South Abergavenny' focussed on Govilon (1 stipend)
'Skirrid Group' focussed on Grosmont (1 stipend)
'Rural Abergavenny Group' focussed on Llantilio Crossenny (1 stipend)