Save The Parish - Cornwall

 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. 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, the parish is an immensely resilient solution.  A lo...

 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. 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  and the second (Evidence) click here . The third heading is Finance.  A paper by Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent   Summary:  Challenge how the financial management of your diocese compares with other dioceses across the country.  Is the funding organised to generate the maximum amount to pay clergy stipends?  Are the overheads in your diocese a...

 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. 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 heading is: Evidence  A paper by Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent   Summary:  The Church’s own studies and their experiments on the ground all conclude that merging parishes and reducing clergy numbers drives decline.  It is the wrong response and it is time to stop planning for this disastrous trajectory.  Dioceses have to operate within the ...

 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.   Here are three dozen reasons why large groupings of parishes are unnecessary and unwelcome...  These come under four headings. The first: Legal.   A paper by Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent   Summary:  The Pastoral Reorganisation Code of Practice is a gold mine of the rights of PCCs.  Read it and use it!  And do not give up your PCC, otherwise you will not have any of these rights.  Dioceses have to operate within the law.  Changing a whole diocese to Minster Communities or other la...

This is a summary of advice from Save The Parish. It is written to offer help and support to Incumbents, Churchwardens, PCC Members, congregations and parish residents  who are presented with plans for pastoral reorganisation - as is currently proposed in Kerrier Deanery in west Cornwall ( click here to read about the background ).     The key message: e ven if you’re feeling tired and exhausted by efforts to save your church from parish reorganisation, PCC mergers and Joint Councils , it is possible to fight back . The more energetically a pastoral reorganisation is resisted, the more likely the fight back is likely to succ eed.   It’s very important to record any consultation that takes place – and your objections.  If the diocese does not engage in proper process, that will be good grounds for objection.   Here are key ways to resist   Agree a position with your PCC . A united PCC is a force to reckon with. T he PCC has unique statutory po...