Plans to 'reshape' Penwith's On The Way deanery plan - full-day meeting on Saturday
A welcome sign that controversial On The Way deanery plans can be adjusted, reshaped - and in some cases, torn up. A Penwith Deanery Plan Review Day will be held on Saturday 15 November at Paul Church Hall from 10am until 430pm. All are welcome but places should be reserved by emailing the Deanery administrator on penwithdeanery@gmail.com
Penwith's On The Way plan has been controversial from the start: click here to read about two earlier incarnations. Many have been feeling despondent and unsure of the way forward - particularly in the west of the deanery.
Click here for more background on Saturday's meeting. The agenda makes it clear that the plans have been hit by significant problems, to say the least - around trust and relationships, working practices and agreeing priorities. The aim is to build 'an action plan that is challenging, achievable, and genuinely owned, with clear success criteria.'
For the full agenda with plans for the day - see below.
Purpose
To reset relationships, strengthen a collaborative culture, agree three shared priorities, and begin building an action plan that is challenging, achievable, and genuinely owned, with clear success criteria.10.00 Opening and Framing the Day
We will open the session in worship with a welcome and then a clear framing of our purpose. The aims and intended outcomes of the day will be set out, ensuring everyone understands why we are here and what we want to achieve. Together, we will agree some simple ground rules to support openness, respect, and collaboration throughout our conversations.
10.30 Resetting Relationships
This session focuses on rebuilding trust and resetting how we work together. Through a guided discussion, we will explore what we need from one another, identify the conditions required for a genuinely collaborative culture, and agree the principles we want to live by as colleagues. This is the foundation for the work that follows.
11.15 Break
A short pause to refresh, reflect, and prepare for the next stage of the discussion.
11.30 Identifying Shared Priorities
The group will move into dialogue about the challenges and opportunities we face. We will explore themes together and test where there is alignment, aiming to identify the three priorities that we will commit to as a collective. By the close of this session, we will have clarity on the shared agenda that will guide our joint action.
1.00 Lunch
1.45 Building the Action Plan
In this session, we will begin the process of turning priorities into action. For each of the three agreed priorities, the group will define what success looks like, identify a small number of practical actions, and allocate ownership and responsibility. This will form the first draft of a shared action plan that is both ambitious and achievable.
2:45 Refreshments
3.00 Testing the Action Plan
Here we will review the emerging plan and ensure it is robust. The group will ask: is this both ambitious and realistic? Are the success criteria meaningful and measurable? Does every participant feel genuine ownership of the commitments? The plan will be tested against these questions to strengthen collective confidence.
3:30 Next Steps and Commitments
This session will confirm the immediate actions to be taken and the process for reviewing progress. We will agree who is responsible for the first steps, how we will hold each other accountable, and what rhythm of review and communication will help us stay on track.
3:45 Closing Reflections
The day will end with a round of short reflections from each participant group. Everyone will have the opportunity to share what they are taking away, what has shifted for them, and what gives them energy for the work ahead. This closing moment will reinforce shared commitment before we formally end the session in prayer.
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