Save The Parish - Cornwall

The five churches in Camborne Cluster: Camborne, Crowan, Tuckingmill, Treslothan and Penponds. A meeting of churchgoers from churches around Camborne - dissuaded by senior figures in the Diocese from meeting at Camborne Church - filled a community hall nearby last night in an effort to find a constructive way forward from the controversy sparked by expensive mission plans for local churches.  The meeting - which started and ended with prayers and a hymn - was prompted by concerns about a lack of transparency over the Transforming Mission programme in Camborne and surrounding churches, funded by the Church Commissioners(60%) and Diocese of Truro reserves (40%).  The multi-million pound programme, which initially envisaged a spend of more than £750,000 in Camborne between 2019-2025, has also been rolled out in four other Cornish towns (Falmouth, St Austell, Liskeard and Highertown). It originated as a well-meaning attempt by the Diocese to reach ‘missing generations’ and invigor...

Extract from paper for discussion at Diocese of Truro Synod, September 2025 We - and other churchgoers across Cornwall - had hoped that the advent of a new Bishop of Truro might halt the onward march to Oversight and Lay Ministry in large groupings of parishes.  The concept was introduced during the controversial On The Way deanery restructuring  programme championed by the former Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, and his suffragan Bishop, the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson.  Sadly, in the years since, there have been many examples of Oversight Ministry proving just too much for those charged with it - impossible administrative loads resulting in physical and mental exhaustion. However ... a paper due to be discussed at next month's Diocesan Synod offers complete endorsement and suggests full steam ahead with Oversight and Local Ministry - despite high profile failures. Click here to read.    The model enables 'incumbent status stipendiary priests to lead...

Diocesan Communications Officer Kelly Rowe has requested both a printed and online correction to the article that appeared in yesterday's Falmouth Packet, which misleadingly said a third full-time stipendiary priest had been recruited in Kerrier Deanery. The article took local PCCs (Parochial Church Councils) by surprise.  Contacted by Save The Parish Cornwall about the apparent change in clergy provision, Kelly Rowe said in an email that a priest had not, in fact, been appointed: "I think this story might have got ahead of itself. As far as we are aware, we have agreed the appointment of a third stipendiary priest but have not yet advertised the post. I am guessing that the person would not be in post until the end of the year, more likely early next year. The deanery is currently in the throes of radical  and controversial pastoral reorganisation - with a giant benefice of 23 churches proposed under just one rural dean.  Kelly Rowe  went on to confirm th...

The controversial Kerrier Deanery plan, bringing together 23 churches under one rural dean, has been updated. Click here to read. This is useful background for those preparing to object to current proposals to create a mega benefice in the deanery.  The new introduction to the plans says it incorporates .... " all recent revisions approved through the appropriate governance processes. To enhance clarity and transparency, an overview table at the beginning of the document outlines each change request, including the nature of the change, the date of approval, and links to the relevant section it affects. Change requests have been noted alongside the original text and are clearly highlighted with a red underline for ease of reference with a link back to the change request table. Corresponding endnotes provide further context and justification if needed, ensuring a clear audit trail. These updates reflect ongoing developments and alignment with strategic priorities. "  The Pastor...

 Since the new Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev David Williams, published proposals for pastoral reorganisation in Kerrier deanery, west Cornwall, last month we have received many questions from people who are concerned about the plan and would like to know how to object.  This pastoral reorganisation, with its proposal for 23 churches under one rural dean, has attracted negative attention both locally and nationally. We publish the below ('Vote Red to Stop') as an inspiration. This letter was circulated to PCCs in Framland Deanery, Leicestershire, facing similar proposals for centralisation. It was drafted up by concerned Save The Parish supporters, keen to do what they can to stop damaging - and irreversible - proposals Email to all Red and Amber voters in Framland, August 2025 Your PCC will have received the draft proposals for minster communities in the Framland deanery for comment.     If we wish to survive as rural churches, it is very important at this sta...

 Since the new Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev David Williams, published proposals for pastoral reorganisation in Kerrier deanery, west Cornwall, last month we have received many questions from people who are concerned about the plan and would like to know how to object.  This pastoral reorganisation, with its proposal for 23 churches under one rural dean, has attracted negative attention both locally and nationally.  Click here to read the updated Kerrier Deanery Plan . Here are three dozen reasons why large groupings of parishes are unnecessary and unwelcome...  These come under four headings. To read the first (Legal) click here  , the second (Evidence) click here  and the third (Finance) click here.  The fourth heading is Pastoral.  A paper by Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent     Summary:  From the teaching in the Bible, through the bishop’s ordination sacrament, to today’s huge demands for social and mental care, th...