The Deanery in Detail
THE DEANERY
“We are the Church of people and place, not just congregations and parish church.”
(Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell)
We are trying to make this a reality in Abbeydore Deanery which covers a large part of South-West Herefordshire numbering 35 churches and 32 parishes. Our Deanery operates as a Group Ministry and we operate on a principle of collaboration between clusters of parishes supported by a team of leaders, both layand ordained. Our vicars have been commissioned as Rural Pioneer Priests, sharing their time between ministry and mission.
DEANERY DETAILS
The current team of Rural Pioneer Priests are Rev Luci Morriss, Rev Cate Thomson and Rev Simon Lockett .
They work as part of a wider Deanery Leadership Team which also includes:
Rev Jane Rogers (Co Rural Dean), Bill Giles (Lay Chair), Nigel Sellar (Treasurer)
and Anne Lloyd (Coordinator).
There is then a much wider team, too many to name, which includes retired clergy,
local lay worship leaders, missioners and pastoral visitors together with the many
churchwardens, other officeholders and volunteers who collaborate together for
mission and ministry in this area.
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CURRENTLY
Following discussion with parishes and the Joint Council, the Deanery Synod,
approved a proposal for changing the benefice boundaries in late November 2024.
This will mean that some parishes will move and form different benefices (groups).
There will then be four benefices in the Deanery (rather than the current five). A
formal consultation on the reorganisation of benefices within the Deanery is about to
take place.
The information below shows the parishes within the proposed re-organised benefices.
1. Cagebrook
Plus Allensmore, Clehonger, Eaton Bishop,
Kingstone, Thruxton, St Devereux,
Kilpeck and Wormbridge
2. Ewyas Harold/Black Mountains
Abbeydore, Bacton, Ewyas Harold,
Kentchurch, Rowlestone, Walterstone,
Clodock, Llanveynoe, Craswall,
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton and St
Margaret’s.
3. Borderlink (no change)
Blakemere, Bredwardine, Moccas,
Preston-on-Wye, Clifford, Cusop,
Dorstone and Hardwicke
4. Wyedore (no change)
Madley, Tyberton, Peterchurch,
Vowchurch and Turnastone
JOINT COUNCIL
Abbeydore Deanery is the first Deanery in Herefordshire to form a Joint Council, and possibly the first in England!
The Joint Council members are a mixture of lay representatives from each benefice and members of clergy who, together, are responsible for planning mission and ministry across the deanery.
They meet at least 3 times per year. At each meeting, key points are identified for sharing across the deanery.
In 2024 these have included the:
- Appointment of a new Lay Chair, Mr Bill Giles
- Review of the 2021 Deanery Pastoral Plan
- Approval of the Deanery Budget
- Submission of a funding bid for the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way
Joint Council Meeting Dates for 2025: 4th February, 3rd June, 2nd September.
DEANERY SYNOD
This is the decision-making body for the deanery. It meets at least twice a year, usually as part of a larger meeting which we call The Gathering. The Deanery Synod is made up of representatives from each parish within the deanery.
Deanery Synod/Gathering Dates for 2025: 7th May, 2nd July, 18th October.