Introduction
Positive, Uplifting and Full of Energy’ describes the mood of the Deanery-wide meeting held on 6 February. A remarkable 200 participants from 11 parishes met to discuss the future of Weybridge Deanery and our respective roles in shaping the future. Father Rob Esdaile guided the meeting, which was set in the context of Bishop Richard’s three priorities of Mission, Formation for Mission and Prayer to address the critical issues of Pope Francis’ call to become ‘a Church of Missionary Disciples’; Supporting that mission as clergy numbers fall in coming years; Formation and empowering of educated leaders from the laity and highly trained professionals to free the clergy for ministry; Working together and contributing to forming supportive, sustainable and outward-looking communities; Modernising our thinking – working across boundaries and reviewing our structures to enable parishes to work together.
Tackling these issues will require decisions and initiatives at Diocese, Deanery and Parish levels, to develop a lasting Pastoral Plan. The great, uplifting messages that resonated from those who attended were how much we care about our parishes and our clergy; how vital it is to support each other through prayer, through difficulties and socially and, most exciting of all, the potential of an empowered laity to enable the clergy to fulfil its role and focus on core spiritual and caring ministries.
Cross-parish working is critical to achieve the objective of sustaining both the celebration of the liturgy and the myriad other activities which make our communities what they are. The influence, formation and the involvement of the Deanery laity, working across parish boundaries and supporting the clergy could provide a framework for going forward and the fulfilment of a Deanery wide plan.
Please download the background materials below.
Tackling these issues will require decisions and initiatives at Diocese, Deanery and Parish levels, to develop a lasting Pastoral Plan. The great, uplifting messages that resonated from those who attended were how much we care about our parishes and our clergy; how vital it is to support each other through prayer, through difficulties and socially and, most exciting of all, the potential of an empowered laity to enable the clergy to fulfil its role and focus on core spiritual and caring ministries.
Cross-parish working is critical to achieve the objective of sustaining both the celebration of the liturgy and the myriad other activities which make our communities what they are. The influence, formation and the involvement of the Deanery laity, working across parish boundaries and supporting the clergy could provide a framework for going forward and the fulfilment of a Deanery wide plan.
Please download the background materials below.
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| Opening Presentation |
| Mission, Formation and Prayer |
| WORKSHEET |
| SUMMARY OF FINDINGS |