Save The Parish - Cornwall

The Once and Future Parish  is a defence of parish ministry at a time of great upheaval in the Church of England. Alison Milbank, co-author of the influential and provocative For the Parish (2010), challenges the ecclesiology, theological anthropology, and analysis of secularism that are explicit or implicit in recent initiatives such as the 'Emerging Church' programme and the Strategic Development Fund. She offers a striking and encouraging vision of what the parish model could provide in an anxious world. Alison, who is Professor of Theology and Literature at the University of Nottingham and Canon Theologian of Southwell Minister, will be in conversation with two prominent theologians.   The Revd Dr Jeremy Morris  is a church historian and author of The People's Church: A History of the Church of England (2023). He is the National Advisor for Ecumenical Relations for the Church of England.   The Very Revd Dr Frances Ward  is former Dean ...

Judith Ayers is church warden, Reader, restoration project co-ordinator, PCC member and much more at St Sampsons Church, South Hill , Cornwall.  She explains how people's vision and enthusiasm have helped to revitalise this historic church St Sampson’s Church is an excellent example of a small rural church which is thriving. Our worshiping community has grown and we are valued and supported by the wider community. South Hill parish has 500 people and we are the very visible Christian presence in that community. The last few years have had their problems, but we have overcome them. Having a vision for the future has inspired and enthused us. We have enabled change and progress, whilst retaining the important heritage and community feel that St Sampson’s has. Small deeply rural churches are important for the communities in which they sit and hold much affection within the community. To lose places like St Sampson’s would be a travesty and they need to be supported and encourage...

 A crucial deanery synod meeting in west Penwith next week will test both diocesan commitment to maintaining levels of ministry and the deanery’s ability to negotiate with Church House while taking heed of the concerns of anxious churchgoers. At the meeting - the latest step in the Diocese of Truro’s controversial On The Way restructuring plans - there will be a vote on hotly contested clergy numbers.  Thrashing out a plan for the Land’s End peninsula has been beset with problems due to a high number of vacancies as well as recruitment difficulties. The situation is complex: Penzance has some of the highest levels of poverty in Cornwall and the area has some of the county’s most historic churches and fiercely loyal church communities. In the spotlight now: the Diocese’s commitment to increasing number of priests in post and its stated priority ‘to answer the ministry needs of the deanery'. The latest West Penwith Area Ministry Proposal - click here to read   - include...

Save The Parish's co-founder Alison Milbank throws a spotlight on the Diocese of Truro's deeply flawed approach to Communion by Extension. Alison is Professor of Theology and Literature at the University of Nottingham and Priest Vicar and Canon Theologian at Southwell Minster Communion By Extension: A Critique 1.       1. In legislation, it was only intended for occasional, ‘exceptional’   use. In 2001 the Archbishops’ Council agreed to allow Extended Communion, in which the consecrated elements would be taken the same day from a central benefice eucharist (as was envisaged) and shared by people in another church in the group. The legislation stressed that this practice should not replace regular eucharists. 2.       2. The diocese of Truro is going against the spirit of the legislation in authorising its widespread use . It is presented as regular liturgical fare, as a way of dealing with the rationing of priestly ministry...

 An article in today's Daily Telegraph by columnist Madeleine Grant. Notably - mention of unsettling changes at Winchester where the former Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen now has his hand on the tiller.  Mounstephen introduced the Diocese of Truro's controversial and divisive restructuring plans known as On The Way.

A message from Save The Parish national steering Committee member Admiral Sir James Burrell-Nugent:  Our Spring Conference on "Campaigning" was a great success, with a record number of attendees.  We have had excellent feedback and many requests for transcripts of the speeches. The keynote address was given by Bishop Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of Ramsbury, entitled " Common Ground? The Past & Future of the English Parish. "  Notes of his address are here . Chris Loder MP then spoke on " How to make best use of your MP ."  The most important point he made was that  we must all write to every general election Parliamentary candidate in our constituency asking for support for Save The Parish .  The more of us that write, the more traction we will get.  Ideally then your winning candidate will have given their support in writing before they are elected and get busier.   Notes of his talk are here . Andrew Orange, an STP General Synod member, then spoke...