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The Diocese of
Monmouth

PART TWO: DEANERY MISSION PLANS

2.9 Pontypool
(Allocated 8 stipends)

The working group acknowledged the principle that change would only be successful and accepted by the communities it serves through an incremental approach based on evolution not revolution.

The overwhelming focus of the Deanery Mission Plan was upon the greater involvement of the laity and in fostering and developing new ministries. Adequate and consistent training and support, spiritual and financial, is imperative, both from the diocese and from the local churches and the deanery.

Attention was drawn to the current unequal distribution of skills, and the need for flexibility in the deployment of clergy and lay ministers. There is a need to foster vocations, both clergy and lay, and with vigour to build in every baptised person a sense of their own ministry.

Each parish, new group and Rectorial Benefice is urged to undertake a parish audit covering the whole spectrum of parish life: people, resources, finances, buildings and their uses, parish administration, times of services, style and types of worship.

New groupings are encouraged to create or develop existing working relationships. This might lead to more formal arrangements, e.g. the parish of Griffithstown and the benefice of Panteg with Llanfihangel Pontymoile.

The deanery set out a number of clear recommendations:

  • Training should be theologically-based and practically-driven and relate to the work being done.

  • There should be a clear statement of who is responsible for training at diocesan, deanery and parish levels.

  • There should be clear guidance on the selection, training needs and deployment of lay ministries.

  • There should be a consistent approach to the roles, work, responsibilities and expectations of Readers and Lay Eucharistic Assistants.

  • The definition of the boundaries between the work of laity and clergy should be renewed and expanded.

  • The Reserved Sacrament should be available in all churches where deacons and laity are required to lead worship.

  • Administrative support needs to underpin the work of the deanery and its clergy.

  • A Churches Together group for Torfaen should be established.

  • There should be deeper ecumenical links at diocesan level.

  • Diocesan criteria are needed for buildings evaluation processes at parish level.

After considering four options, the recommended groupings were:
Abersychan, Gardiffaith & Varteg, Blaenavon (starting with 2 stipends reducing to 1 after 5 years)
Rectorial Benefice of Pontypool (2 stipends)
Griffithstown (1 stipend)
Panteg with Llanfihangel Pontymoile (1 stipend)
Cwmbran Rectorial Benefice, Llanfrechfa and Llandegfedd, Pontnewydd (4 stipends)

Pastoral re-organisation involving Cwmbran rectorial benefice with Llanfrechfa and Pontnewydd needs further consideratio